Page 59 of Reign

It’s close to three a.m., but we don’t care. Libby and I load up in the Porsche and let Joelle drive us to the hospital.

I sit in the back with Libby, vowing to never let her out of my sight again. Well, okay, for a really long time at least. We’re directed to Diego’s room and multiple things happen all at once. Joelle rushes into Nikita’s arms at the same time that I embrace Camila, kissing her head.

“Cam, I’m so sorry. I told you I’d always protect you and I let –”

I can’t do it. I can’t finish the sentence. The fuck is wrong with me tonight? It isn’t like I haven’t killed people or been in dangerous situations before. I don’t usually get choked up on emotions. Hell, I just startedfeelingemotions again three months ago.

But then it hits me. I’m emotional because these people are my family. A group of people I know I can trust with my life. A group of people willing to be there for me and even take a bullet for me. Not a single one of them is a blood relative but they are my family, nonetheless.

And it’s the first time I’ve felt at home.

Twenty-Five

Libby/Daniella/Isabel

THE SHOCK IS SLOWLY wearing off. The shower and the vodka helped, but not as much as seeing Diego alive. I walk over to his bed – he’s still asleep – and survey the room. Everyone is embracing. Dom is even peppering kisses to the side of Camila’s head as her arms are wrapped tightly around him, her face in his chest.

And it doesn’t bother me at all.

She saved his life all those years ago, and I have no doubt she would have done it again tonight. Because she loves him and I know he still loves her.

Not like he loves me, but love nonetheless. Only now I know I don’t have to be fearful or jealous. Bonds like theirs make us all stronger and bonds like hers and mine make me a better person.

I prop my hip on the side of Diego’s bed and lean down to kiss his forehead. “Everyone’s here for you, Diego. We’re all just waiting on you, buddy.”

Dominic comes over to join me. “Yeah man, it’s been a long ass day and I still have a bone to pick with you, so wake the fuck up,” Dominic says with more strength in his voice than he’s had since shit hit the fan.

Without opening his eyes, Diego grunts and says, “Fucking hell, ItoldLibby you’d be pissed.”

The sound of our relieved laughter fills the room as Dominic turns to look at me slowly. “That stunt wasyouridea? Are youtryingto give me a heart attack?” he asks.

I lean into him with my head on his shoulder. “It worked, didn’t it? They bought it enough to not take his gun.” Which still shocked me but perhaps Mateo underestimated Diego. I’ve seen firsthand how that could get a person killed.

Joelle moves to sit on the other side of Diego as I give my seat up for Camila who grabs my hand in one of hers and takes Diego’s hand with her other one. She’s too choked up to speak so Joelle leans down and kisses Diego’s cheek.

“Thank you for saving my brother’s life.”

Diego blushes hard and flashes concerned eyes at Nikita after Jo’s kiss. “Hey man, you saw that, that was all her.” Then he looks at Joelle, “Not that I didn’t like it, because I did. A lot. It’s just, you know, I think your brother recently got a promotion and –”

Nikita cuts him off. “Christ Almighty, will you shut the fuck up and just give the woman what she wants already?”

Diego’s right arm is bandaged to his side but thankfully that’s the side Camila is on anyway. He lets go of Joelle’s hand so he can move his to the back of her head and pull her to him.

We all clap. Except Nikita. He folds his arms across his chest and lasts two seconds before he says, “Okay, okay, we get it. You like each other.” Diego and Joelle break apart, quietly giggling and giving each other googly eyes.

“What about you, Nikita?” Camila says, standing next to Dom with her fingers clasped over his shoulder, her chin resting on her hands as she looks at Niki. “See anything you like?”

“I thought you’d never ask. Get over here, woman.” He holds his hand out to her and she dances into it easily. Nikita’s hand is in her tangled, dirty hair, and her arms are around his neck.

“Now that we got all of that out of the way, why don’t we all get some sleep? It’s been a long ass twenty-four hours,” Dom says.

Everyone mumbles their agreement and starts to pack up. There’s still a lot to discuss and sort and settle, but for once, it can actually wait until tomorrow. I realize that for the first time in a long time, we aren’t racing the clock.

As we file out, I hear Diego say hesitantly, “Maybe you could stay?” I smile, thinking he’s talking to Joelle, but I quickly realize, he’s talking to Dominic.

Dominic throws a glance at me, looking torn. I reach forward for Camila’s hand as she heads for the door in front of me, and pull her back to let Joelle and Nikita by. “Dominic, we’ll be fine. Stay with Diego.”

Joelle pokes her head back in the door. “It’s been a crazy day. Why don’t you girls come back to the house with Niki and I? Dom, bring Diego home to us tomorrow.”

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