Page 49 of Reign

I’ll never forget the night Jugo Garcia came for retaliation against the hit I completed on his brother, Javier, shortly before shit went down with Adriana. Wanting to hurt me, but being unable to get to me, he had his men watch from a distance and knew I’d been out often with Camila. They grabbed her while she was running errands.

Libby looks at me wide-eyed. I’ve never shared this with her. It’s a part of Camila’s life she doesn’t share or talk about so neither do I. Even though I think it displays Camila’s strength and resilience, she once confessed early after it happened that she was embarrassed she didn’t see them coming and didn’t defend herself.

The hardest part for me is that Camila was willing to die for me that day and two weeks later, I killed Adriana and left Camila behind without so much as a goodbye.

Suddenly, it’s hard to breathe in this room despite nothing obstructing my airway. I head back through the open doorway, Diego and Libby spilling out after me. I check my phone but the signal is still weak. Taking the stairs two at a time, I race back up to the normal world. Finally at the top, I’m relieved to see the signal from the bracelet transmitting. I hear Libby let out a breath of relief and I know she sees it too.

“Camila’s at the house. Nikita, do you have it under control here?” I ask, knowing that he does. Max didn’t appear to be a threat.

“Yes, go check on our girl. I’ve got a call to make.” He doesn’t elaborate which means he doesn’t want us to know but I don’t have time to ask.

Ourgirl?

I don’t have time to think too hard about that either.

When we get back to the house, I dash into the house and call out for her. I need to see her face.

“Camila!” I yell, the panic clear in my voice. “CAMILA!” I boom in the empty space but I can already tell she isn’t here. The house is too quiet. I hear Diego and Libby calling for her as well. Doors are opening upstairs, out to the patio, and down to the basement.

Still no sign of her.

The bracelet is accurate within five feet so I try to prepare myself for the worst as I zoom in on the location and follow the signal around the house.

When you live in this world, nothing should shock you anymore, but it still does. If I open a closet and find her body, I’m going to rain fury down on Mateo Santos that will make Jack the Ripper look like Mr. Rogers.

Actually, I think I’m going to do that anyway.

It isn’t until we reach the office that I see the note. It’s not as bad as a body, but close.

Dom, I’m sorry.

I wish I could stay with you but I can’t hang around just to lose you all over again. I’ve always loved you. I always will but I’m the one who has to leave now.

Remember me by the sea.

-Camila

Shit.No. No. No. The GPS bracelet is on top of the note.Camila, what have you done?

I want to sink to my knees, tired of the constant battle that life has been. I fall into the chair in front of the desk giving myself ten seconds of reaction time before it’s time to turn this city upside down.

Pulling out my phone, I call Nikita. He answers on the first ring. “I’ve had enough taken from me, Nikita. You call your bastard cousin and get her the fuck back.” From that sentence, he can deduce that she isn’t here.

“You’re sure she’s with him?” he says on the other end of the line.

Am I sure?

I pause before I answer him and reread the note. Behind me, Diego and Libby have gone to search the house again. Something is scratching the back of my brain. Something close to the memory of finding her tied up and beaten.

“Oh shit,” I whisper.

“Dominic?” Nikita says.

“I haven’t thought about our cipher in a long time.” I know I’m not making any sense to him, but I’m still trying to work it out in my head.

“Dominic, I need details,” Nikita says growing impatient.

“Remember me by the sea,” I quote from her note. “Adam’s taking her to the ocean. To a boat.”

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