Page 413 of Reign

“You’re still looking at me like I might disappear.”

“I walked into that garden and saw the rest of my life being stolen. I thought I was too late.”

Her fingers move against my face.

“But you weren’t.”

“I almost was.”

“You weren’t,” she repeats.

Her palm rests against my jaw.

“You didn’t lose me today, Luciano.”

I close my eyes.

For the first time since I saw the gun against her body, I take a full breath.

When I open them, she’s still here.

Still touching me.

Knowing exactly what these hands did and choosing to put herself within them anyway.

I rise and pull her against me.

Her arms circle my neck, and I hold her tightly enough to feel every breath she takes.

She stays because she chooses to.

Tonight, I force myself to let that be enough.

Chapter 57

Elena

Having everyone in my sitting room feels strange.

Especially my brothers.

This is the first time I’ve seen either of them since Luciano took me to Florida.

Luciano stands beside me with one hand against my lower back while the men finish whatever quiet conversation they were having before I walked in. Their voices stop when they notice me.

I hate that.

Neither of my brothers mentions Miguel. Neither asks me what I saw.

They just look at me like one wrong question might crack something open.

I’m beginning to think everyone expects me to be different after yesterday.

Luciano’s fingers move through the ends of my hair.

“You okay?”

“Yes.”