Page 93 of Reign

She doesn’t believe me.

Neither do I.

I walk back into the bedroom and grab my phone from my purse.

Adriana answers on the third ring, breathless.

“Elena?”

“Did you know your brother kidnapped me?”

She exhales.

Then, very tiredly, “Luciano did not kidnap you.”

“He collected me from the airport and brought me to his house without asking where I wanted to go. In most legal systems, that is at least kidnapping-adjacent. You’re a lawyer. You should know that.”

“Elena.”

“No, don’t Elena me. I’m already being Elena’d by your brother and it’s starting to feel like a family disease.”

Adriana sighs. “Listen, your brother is being difficult, you needed somewhere safe, and I solved the problem.”

“I could have stayed at a hotel. Riot would have guarded me—”

“Riot has been put on leave, so that’s no longer an option.”

“Put on leave by whom? Did Angelo—”

“Luciano has Obsidian to launch, so you’ll barely see him. You’ll be fine. You, Vasilisa, and I can have a girls’ night soon.”

“Adriana, who put Riot on leave?”

“The baby needs me. Love you.”

“The baby is inside your body—”

She hangs up.

Put on leave? On fucking leave?!

I immediately dial Riot.

The call goes straight to voicemail.

I try again.

Straight to voicemail.

Riot always answers me.

Even when he’s irritated. Even when I’m the reason.

A small, stupid ache presses beneath my ribs.

They can’t be fucking serious.

Chapter 17