Page 35 of Reign

“Well, she’s been on Blake’s leash all this time. If there’s anyone who knows where he is, it’s her. I can go to her—”

“No.”

“Milton—”

“I said no.”

I put my cup on the table and go to stand, but he wraps his hand around my thigh, keeping me in place. “Let me up.”

“How many times do you want to do this tonight?” His tone is deep and deadly as his hand keeps me pinned in place. “When I tell you no, it meansno.”

“Do you think I wantto see her again?” I argue with him. “I don’t. But I’d do it if it meant getting some information to help you. Either that or it draws them out. Potentially a win-win.”

“How brave of you to offer yourself up as bait.”

“Wasn’t that what you were implying just seconds ago?” We’re being loud, but neither of us wants to back down or lower our voices.

“No, I wasn’t. Reality is far different than coming up with a dumb plan and hoping for the best. It’s too risky.”

“You don’t own—”

His hand tightens. It’s pinching. “Are youreallygoing to finish that sentence when we both know the fucking answer to that?”

Pushing his hand off my leg—or attempting to—I go to get up again. Catching me by my dress, he drags me down, pulling me over his lap.Ouch.My ass screams in pain as his knee stabs me. “I don’t want to be around you anymore.”

“Someone’s changed their tone.”

“Yeah, I forgot how unbearable you can be,” I snap back at him. “And sexist.”

“Sexist?” He laughs loudly, and the sound sends my heart into a frenzy simply from seeing mirth in his eyes. God, I could drink up his emotions with a straw. “You’re lucky we’re up here and not in the tunnels, or I’d be showing you what being sexist really is.”

“You think I’m incapable.”

“Quite the opposite, actually. You’re too willing to go into the lion’s den.”

“Then let me ask her what she knows. It’s not even that big of a deal.” And maybe I can ask about my dad.

“Oryou sit on my knee and drink your tea.”

“You’re patronizing me.”

“Stop giving me a reason to.” We go quiet, and I reluctantly finish my tea while sitting on his stupid lap, annoyed at his refusal. He’s being unreasonable. I don’t want to feel useless, but right now, I do. He entrusts tasks such as these to Lisa, but not to me?

Lifting his hand, Milton rubs his thumb between my eyebrows where my frown is. When my eyes meet his, I’m surprised at the concern there. “I think it’s time for bed.”

Admittedly, the tea has made me sleepy, but I don’t want to sleep. Tonight has been…a lot, and I need to shut off, but I will never get anywhere if I leave this. “No thanks—”

“That wasn’t a question.” Pushing me to stand, a groan slips free from the ache deep in my bones. Once again, he picks me up in his arms, making me want to scratch his face. “I’ll get you painkillers. How about that?”

“Howkindof you,” I dryly say as he carries me back downstairs. “I never thought the age difference mattered…but I’m beginning to think it does.”

“How so?”

“You think I need looking after. That I can’t do anything for myself.” It seems honesty has taken center stage, and now that we’ve both started, we can’t stop. “I like Hilary and Peter, but they smother me with kindness and do everything for me when I should be doing it myself. Even back in Blake’s clubhouse, you were the one who looked after me. Is that the kind of girl you want? Someone so…useless.”

Letting out a deep breath, he sets me down. We’re on the stairs leading down to the tunnels. Backing me up against the wall, he props his hand beside my head. “Your age has nothing to do with it. I went through life without having anyone there for me. I had to find my own food, clothes, safety…I wasn’t nurtured or looked after in any way, which fucks a person up. You’ve had none of that either, so is it so hard to believe I’m trying to save you?”

My bottom lip shakes, but I press it down. “What if it’s too late?”

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