Page 436 of Reign

I refuse to look at her.

Luciano takes the card from my fingers, opens my purse, and slides it into the inner pocket himself.

His attention shifts to the compact pistol secured in the side compartment.

Over the last two weeks, Luciano has refreshed every lesson my brothers taught me until I can draw from this exact purse without looking and hit a target before fear has time to decide for me. The morning I put every shot in the center, he gave me the gun.

It fits my hand perfectly. I absolutely love it.

Because if something happens again, I won’t be the only unarmed person waiting for someone else to save me.

“You remembered it,” he says.

“I always remember it.”

“You left your purse in my office yesterday.”

“I knew where it was.”

“You forget it the way you forget your phone.”

“I do not forget my phone.”

He looks at me.

“Frequently,” I amend.

“Have fun, princesa.”

He kisses me slowly enough that Bianca turns away with an exaggerated cough.

When he pulls back, his eyes lower to my hair, fingers tracing the tips.

“A trim.”

“Go run your cartel.”

His hand closes briefly around the ends again before he lets me go.

Outside, two black SUVs are waiting in front of the house.

I stop on the top step.

There are two men in the first vehicle. Three more stand beside the second.

Five.

Luciano comes to a stop behind me.

“Is this actually necessary?” I complain.

“Yes.”

“There are already two guards in the car with us. Why do we need three more following?”

“Elena.” His hand settles against my lower back. “Humor me, please.”

I look over my shoulder at him.