Page 64 of Reign

My sister keeps talking, words stacking faster as she tries to outrun the refusal she already expects.

“—and I know it’s not ideal, but it would only be temporary. She knows me. It’s not like she’d be with strangers, and I just think—”

“No.”

The word lands flat.

Adriana goes silent.

Outside, lightning flashes over the water. My reflection ghosts across the glass looking calm.

It has always been useful that way.

“Luciano,” she says carefully.

“No.”

“She needs somewhere safe.”

“She has brothers.”

“Who are currently being impossible.”

“That has nothing to do with me.”

“You ruined Valentine’s Day for me.”

I laugh quietly. “Your husband ruined your Valentine’s Day.”

“Because he involved you. I was shot at.”

“And you survived.”

“Luciano. You owe me.”

“The answer is still no.”

“Why?”

Because the last time Elena and I shared a room, she left with blood between her thighs and I left with a linen I still haven’t thrown away.

Because putting her under my roof would give temptation a bedroom and call it hospitality.

I say none of that.

“I’m moving over there to deal with Obsidian.”

“Exactly, so you won’t even be there half the time.”

“I said no.”

“Because she’s Angelo’s sister?”

Yes. An Amato.

Political. Protected. A woman whose surname can turn one private mistake into alliance business.

None of it stopped me the first time.