Page 80 of Reign

Her attention drops to my hand. The air between us changes.

For a beat, she only stares at it, and I can see every question moving across her face no matter how quickly she tries to hide them.

The answers sit between us, sharp and silent. Her throat moves when she swallows. Then her fingers slide into mine.

I close my hand around hers with more care than instinct wants from me.

Her skin is warm. Her pulse races beneath my thumb, a frantic little confession she can’t talk her way out of. Her mouth may have recovered. Her body hasn’t.

I lower my voice so only she can hear me.

“Come with me, princesa.”

Her lashes lift.

Embarrassment burns in her face. Nerves too. But beneath both, something sharp wakes up.

“My luggage,” she says.

Rafael answers. “I have it.”

Ryatt’s attention cuts to him.

Rafael’s expression stays polite. “All of it.”

Elena’s fingers twitch in mine. I tighten my hold just enough to remind her that she put her hand there.

Then I turn and she comes with me.

Behind us, Ryatt mutters, “I’m still making the call.”

“Do that,” I say without looking back.

Rafael falls into step behind us with her suitcase and garment bag. Ryatt follows him, angry enough to be useful, controlled enough not to be a problem.

Elena walks beside me in silence.

Her lips part once before closing again.

A question postponed.

I suspect she’s waiting until we’re beyond Ryatt and Rafael’s hearing before beginning the interrogation.

I look forward to it.

She keeps her hand inside mine all the way to the car. She’s nervous, but she keeps walking.

Every few steps, her fingers flex against mine. She could pull away whenever she wants.

She doesn’t.

We pass out of the public noise and into the quieter corridor leading toward the private side of the airport.

At the SUV, I open the passenger door.

Elena pauses before climbing inside. Her gaze sweeps over the dark leather interior, then returns to my face. One question after another gathers behind her eyes.

I offer nothing yet.