Page 2 of Reign

I nod and work hard to bite back every hurtful thing I want to say like:If she knows you choose me, then why does she look like a lioness waiting for the opportune moment to make a meal out of you?Ugh. This jealous, bratty woman isn’t who I want to be. It isn’t who Iam. Who Sam and Renee raised me to be. But I’m not even sure that girl exists anymore.

Elizabeth Baker? Daniella Santos? Isabel Guerrero? I’ve had three identities in the last three months. It’s getting hard to keep up.

Plus, there are all the acts I’ve committed that I had no idea I could ever do. I kissed Dominic while I was engaged to Willem – never mind the fact that Willem was a psychopath, I shot Willem with a speargun – hoping to kill him, I was held hostage by a cartel, almost raped, and I shot a man to death from fifteen feet away with an assault rifle leaving him unrecognizable from the shoulders up.

Needless to say, I’m a little lost at the moment and Camila’s presence is making it hard to find myself considering her history with the man I thought was my protector.

Then again, I’ve proven that I can be my own protector. So, fuck them all.

Angry tears threaten to spill over which pisses me off even more.

I need to get a hold of myself.

I take a deep breath, pinching the bridge of my nose as I hear Dominic whisper, “We’ll get through this.”

It feels like that statement’s been on repeat from his mouth ever since we met and I hate it. I hate that we’ve had no choicebutto get through it.

We sit in silence through the remainder of the landing. The cabin is bright with everyone’s window shades open on a sunny day in Miami at ten in the morning even though my heart feels like it should be as dark as midnight outside. I’m ready to escape this enclosed metal capsule hurtling through the air and just get on with the next task.

I risk a glance at Camila who has her hands clasped together like she’s praying as we touch down. She’s never been on an airplane so I guess her nerves are getting to her.

The old me would’ve offered comfort.

Now? I’m happy to let her sweat it out.

Skipping baggage claim, we head to the short-term lot, where Mateo somehow magically parked our new, very conspicuous, panty-dropping, mouth-watering, red Ferrari 488. It looks like the fucking Batmobile, only hotter, and red, and I see a smile spread across Dom’s face.

The issue, though, is that there were only supposed to be two of us…now there’s three.

Camila speaks for the first time but of course directs it at Dominic. “I’ll take a taxi and meet you at the house.”

I roll my eyes and blow out a breath. I’m honestly trying to reign in the massive bitch-mode, but I’ll be the first to admit I’m failing.

“Don’t be ridiculous.” The irritation in my voice is loud and clear. “We’ll squeeze and make it work. GPS says the house is only fifteen minutes from here.” Her eyes flit to me quickly and then back to Dom, waiting on his input which makes me want to slap her…andhim for some reason. Perhaps my murdering spree isn’t over just yet.

“She’s right,” Dom wisely backs me up. “Let’s just stick together until we get our bearings.” His travel outfit is stone-washed jeans and another black t-shirt. If he was hoping to blend in, it’s not working. The dark color up top makes his emerald eyes shine and people have already stopped to stare multiple times. The chain from his necklace is just visible before it dips below the collar of his shirt and I have to keep reminding myself that I’m mad at him. My vagina seems to keep forgetting.

I slide in the car first so that every time Dom shifts gears, his knuckles brush against the inside ofmythigh and nothers. Camila isn’t even trying to keep her lust-filled eyes off his hands as they control this powerful car. It’s completely stupid, the position I’ve put myself in. I don’t want Dom to touch me because I’m mad but I’ll be damned if he touches Camila instead. I huff out another exhale, frustrated at myself as I bite the inside of my cheek and fold my arms across my chest, almost laughing out loud at the fact that I’m pouting.

Camila lets out a laugh and for a second I think she can hear my thoughts. She tucks a chestnut strand of hair behind her ear, annoying me, before saying, “Dom, do you remember the time we stole—”

“Spare me,” I snap. “I’m in no mood for another fucking walk down memory lane with you two.”

“Libby,” Dominic growls, indicating I should watch my tone.Oh no he did not just chastise me in front of Camila.

“Dominic?”I fire back, using the same tone.

His nostrils flare in anger as he pulls the Ferrari onto the shoulder of the road just beyond the parking deck and slams on the brakes, rotating to face me. His left hand is gripping the steering wheel so tightly it’s making his biceps pop under his t-shirt and it’s distracting as hell. It’s impossible for a t-shirt not to look good on him, and having nowhere to focus my attention other thanhim, I suddenly feel overwhelmed.

“Look. I know you’re pissed at me. And I know you’re mad that Camila’s here. But this is life now.” His tone lightens slightly and his eyes soften as he finishes his speech. “Our best chance of surviving this is to work together.”

I close my eyes and inhale the leather scent of the car, trying to find something to center me. The air conditioning is on blast which is helping to cool me down while my anger heats me up. When I open my eyes a few seconds later, his eyes are still locked onto mine, his penetrating gaze unwavering and unforgiving. Although his tone lightened, it’s clear that he’s telling me to get my shit together. Right. Damn. Now.

I’m seething and embarrassed and I want to be anywhere but this tiny car on a death mission with a woman I’d rather never lay eyes on again.

Shockingly, Camila is the one who speaks first. “Let’s get back on the road. We’re sitting ducks and we don’t know who knows we’re here.” She leans forward slightly to look around me at Dominic. “She just needs time, Dom.”

I want to screamyou don’t know what I need!But I’ve already shown my ass enough this morning so I just keep my mouth shut.

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