Page 14 of Reign

“Fine,” Camila sneers turning her attention toward me. “Tomorrow night, we play by my rules. And you stick to me like glue. I don’t trust these women. Especially Victoria. Marguerite and Joelle seem harmless enough but there’s a calculating brilliance in Victoria’s eyes that has me on edge.”

While I don’t disagree, if she thinks she’s calling the shotshere…inthiscountry… she’s lost her damn mind.

I sit up, putting my feet on the floor, my ass – which is barely covered by my cotton pajama shorts - now squarely in Cas’s crotch as I fully address Camila.

“You did me no favors during my time in Venezuela, so don’t act like I owe you anything anddefinitelydon’t act like I can’t play this game. Between the two of us, I’m the only one who’s ended someone else’s life proving I’ll do whatever the fuck it takes to survive. So get off my back and you better learn to let go of Cas too, because when this is over, he’s coming withme.” If my words weren’t harsh enough, I drive the stake through her heart just a little further. “Despite his pitiful lapse in judgement with you, he’s made it clear who he chooses. Stop embarrassing yourself.”

I hope like hell the tremors in my hands aren’t noticeable as I brace them on Cas’s thighs, preparing to launch myself at her if needed. I’ve always hated confrontation, but the difference now is that I won’t avoid it.

I expect a wide variety of reactions from her, but the one I’m least expecting is the one she gives. A crooked smile spreads across her mouth as her cold eyes bore into mine from the chair across from me. “That bitch, right there,” she’s pointing to me and I realize she’s talkingaboutme whileaddressingme, “that’swho’s coming out with us tomorrow night. Keep those fangs out. I don’t like you,Isabel. I never will. Dom was my first love and I’ll never be okay that he’s with you. It fucking hurts being around you two all the time.” Her honest admission shocks me enough to keep me quiet while she finishes. “I’ll be a team player to finish this bullshit, but when the rest of that money from Mateo comes in, I want my cut and then I’m out.”

I feel Cas tense behind me. His knuckles are white on the chair giving away his stress at her words. That’s when I realize he was hoping to stay in touch with her after all of this. She’s the only part of his past he has left.

But he can’t have us both.

~

ODDLY, CAMILA’S WORDS last night eased some of the tension in the house. Even though she admitted that she’s still in love with Cas and hates my guts, at least it’s in the open and somehow that’s better. We all know where everyone stands and now we can just focus on finding Nikita and taking him out.

As girls’ night approaches, I’m both nervous and excited. I hate agreeing with Camila, but something about Victoria seems off. It also feels good to have direction and feel like we’re making progress.

Camila meets me in the foyer and as we stand there, staring each other down, Cas wipes a hand down his face. Camila’s black dress accentuates her long legs. It has a high neck andbarelyreaches the tops of her thighs. “This is a fucking terrible idea and if I had any other leads, I would shut this shit down. But I don’t, so you two listen to me.” Camila and I both bristle causing Cas to hold his hands up. “Don’t start with me. I’m on edge enough as it is.”

We give each other a wide-eyed stare which causes me to snort a giggle.

“Isabel,”Cas growls in warning.

“Out with it, they’re here,” Camila says impatiently as a black Escalade pulls into the driveway.

“Phones stayon.” Cas nods to the bracelet on my wrist. “GPS stayson.If I call, you answer. And underno circumstancesdo you leave each other’s side.”

I open my mouth to argue and be a smart ass, but he knows me too well.

“Even if it means sharing a stall while you take a piss. Am I clear?”

Camila and I share another quick look.

“We’ve got it, Cas,” Camila confirms and then takes my hand, the contact feeling foreign.

The fringe on the bottom of my gold dress caresses my legs as I walk. I feel like I’m going to a Taylor Swift concert but Camila assured me this is what I should wear. She’s spent far more time in clubs than I have so I just went with her advice. She has nothing to gain by making me look like an idiot tonight. It’s not like either of us wants to spend a single minute longer than we have to in the other’s company.

She pulls me out the front door and down to the waiting vehicle with Cas hot on my heels. We all pull up short when the front passenger window rolls down.

“Ladies, you look stunning,” Max says with a sly grin on his face.

Before I can stop to think if it’s rude or not, I open my mouth. “I thought this wasgirls’night out?”

Max doesn’t miss a beat. “Oh, it is, but I have some work I need to take care of at the club so I thought I’d just ride with you all.” He then shifts his attention to Cas. “Don’t worry, Mom, I’ll have her home by curfew.”

Shockingly, Cas says nothing. I see a cold smile spread across his mouth as I turn to tell him goodbye but he has other plans. He pulls me to him. I think about protesting, one, because I’m still not sure where I stand with him, and two, I’ve never been huge on PDA… then again, Cas always could get me on board pretty easily. Remembering that it would be dangerous for this group to assume there’s a rift between us, I let him pull me close. One hand slides to the back of my head, the other wraps around my waist.

His kiss is possessive and hungry but also full of sorrow and shame. He’s asking for permission and demanding consent. He’s apologizing and promising and yelling and laughing with this kiss and I feel it all.

Perfectly wet without being sloppy, perfectly alternating between lips and tongue, perfectly taking without stealing… he’s making love to me with this kiss and I groan my pleasure into his mouth as his hands hold me in place, our audience completely forgotten.

Someone whistles in the background but I’m not sure who, nor do I particularly care at this moment.

Finally, Cas pulls back, leaving me breathless. “Be careful” is all he says before turning on his heel and walking back up the driveway, my body’s switch cranked all the way toon.

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