Page 79 of Reign

“Again, no one asked you to. I’m asking you to become someone else’s irritation for the duration of the drive.”

Rafael’s attention cuts to my face.

Elena says nothing.

I expected an objection by now. At minimum, a complaint about the luggage.

The silence is disappointing.

Ryatt measures me.

I let him.

I know what he sees.

A polished suit. Clean hands. No visible weapon. No raised voice. Men make the mistake of thinking brutality has to look like brutality.

Ryatt doesn’t make that mistake. I’d hate him less if he were stupid.

“Elena,” he says without looking away from me, “are you okay with going with him?”

It’s the correct question.

I dislike only that Ryatt is the man asking it.

He doesn’t decide for her. That’s good.

I still want him in another car.

Her eyes move to him. “I’ll be okay.”

“That wasn’t his question,” I say.

Her gaze snaps to mine.

“Do you want to ride with me?”

Her cheeks are still pink, but her chin lifts. There she is. The woman from the bathroom. The one who trembled and challenged me anyway.

“This is what Adriana arranged?”

Rafael looks down at the floor. Her eyes narrow.

“You sound disappointed,” I say.

“I sound confused.”

“You may ride with Ryatt and follow us, or you may come with me and conduct the interrogation personally.”

“Those are my choices?”

“Unless you want to establish residency at baggage claim.”

I see the moment her mouth threatens to betray her.

Then she looks at Ryatt. “I’m going with him.”

I extend my hand. Palm up. Still and waiting.