Page 73 of Reign

I lock the phone, shove it deep under the blanket, and stare out the window at the glowing clouds like they can save me from what I just did. My heart is pounding so hard I’m sure Riot can hear it.

What the hell is wrong with me?

I just handed a sex club owned by Luciano Castillo a map of every single one of my fears, desires, and weaknesses. And I did it under a fake name like that would actually protect me.

I pull the blanket tighter around my shoulders, suddenly cold, already dreading the moment the lights go down and the dark presses in against the windows tonight.

Because now I’ve done it.

Somewhere down there in Florida, someone is going to read every humiliating word.

Hopefully they won’t know exactly who I was answering for.

Chapter 14

Luciano

The jet touches down beneath a sky the color of polished steel.

I glance out the window.

A runway. Heat rising in waves from the tarmac. The private aviation terminal waiting beyond the glass with its discreet entrances, manicured staff, and the particular silence money buys when it doesn’t want to be seen.

There’s nothing outside worth studying.

Elena Amato is arriving from California.

An inconvenience is what I tell myself.

Across from me, Rafael unbuckles his seat belt before the jet finishes its slow turn toward the hangar.

His eyes flick to the phone in my hand.

“You checking it again?”

“No.”

Rafael looks at the phone.

Then at me.

I lock the screen.

His mouth twitches. “Right.”

“Send the car around.”

He laughs under his breath as he reaches for his phone.

“Main terminal?”

I nod once.

His pause is small. Rafael never hesitates. I know exactly what this is.

Suspicion.

“Why are we picking up Elena Amato again?”