Page 494 of Reign

For one brief second, the meek posture disappears.

His shoulders straighten. His weight shifts forward. The predator I remember looks through his eyes toward the doors Elena used.

My hand moves beneath my jacket before I decide to move it.

The grip of my gun meets my palm.

“Yes,” I say. “She’s mine.”

His gaze returns to me.

I step closer, forcing him to adjust for the distance between us. He may have an inch on me. It does nothing to improve his position.

“My fiancée,” I continue. “We came to look at the church. We’re getting married.”

The predator folds itself away again. His shoulders soften beneath the black shirt.

“Wonderful. Congratulations.” His tone is perfectly sincere. “We have a few openings next month.”

“We’re getting married in our garden. This visit is for my mother’s sake. She’s the Catholic one.”

“Marriage is a sacrament wherever the vows are spoken before God. I would be happy to come to your garden and perform the ceremony.”

“No.”

Silence rests between us.

“We already have someone,” I add.

“I understand.”

I keep my hand around the gun.

A bullet between his eyes would solve the unease moving beneath my skin. I could draw, fire, and end this before the echo reached the ceiling.

But Pierce hasn’t done anything—yet.

Elena is outside waiting for me.

If he gives me a reason, I’ll kill him.

“You’re still banned from my clubs,” I say.

“I have no desire to return.”

“That wasn’t the warning.”

His eyes hold mine. His head tilts slightly. “You still believe I’m dangerous.”

“I don’t believe. I remember.”

For the first time, something almost human moves across his face.

Amusement.

It vanishes quickly.

“God has forgiven me,” he says.