Page 50 of Reign

CHAPTER FIFTEEN

It’s late when we arrive at the Manor. Most of the lights are out, and I absently wonder if Hilary and Peter are in bed when the front door opens, and two shadows appear as we stop.

Opening my door, I climb out as Milton rounds the car. Slipping his hand into mine when he’s next to me, we head toward the house. Stepping out into the light to meet us, Hilary smiles and wraps her arms around me. “We’ve missed you.”

Her sweet, homely scent and warmth fill me as I lift my free arm and embrace her. My heart squeezes. It’s strange. I’ve known them for a little time, yet they feel more like family than my own.

There’s a bark, and Blue and Bea dart toward us from outside, Barnes and Cole following them. I smile down at them, petting them both. God, I’ve missed them.

With my hand still in Milton’s, I go to step inside, but he doesn’t move. Turning back to him, I attempt to swallow the lump in my throat. “You’re not coming in?”

He shakes his head, and Hilary and Peter exchange a wordless glance before heading inside. Barnes lets out a whistle, and the dogs follow him and Cole inside. “I have to go.”

Please don’t leave.

Don’t go.

Stay with me.

He will never choose me.

Leaning forward, his lips graze the top of my forehead, and I can’t do anything but let him. Then he steps back and walks away, saying nothing.

“Goodbyes aren’t my thing.”

As he climbs into the car, his expression is stone. I stand still as he restarts the engine and backs out of the drive, and I watch him until the red lights on the rear of his car disappear around the bend. My teeth chatter again, my body shivering from the cold and loss. I’m not sure how much time passes until a blanket wraps around my shoulders from behind, enveloping me with warmth.

“Come on inside.” Hilary rubs my arms. “I’ll make you tea.”

When we walk into the house, it’s only then that I realize how numb I am and how wet my cheeks are.

* * *

I sitat the kitchen island with my head in my hands, staring down at the cup of tea Hilary made for me. It’s cold now. She also made me a sandwich, insisting I eat, but I couldn’t stomach more than a bite. I halved it and gave it to the dogs. They eventually went to bed after I told them I was okay on my own. They both shared a worried look but relented.

As much as I missed them, I needed them to go. I need the quiet to think. It’s half past eleven, and I know there’s no chance I’m going to sleep. Not tonight. Not while Milton’s out there putting himself in danger. It’s not that I don’t have faith in him or think he’s incapable. It’s the fact that he’s incredibly outnumbered with the odds stacked against him.

Letting out a pained groan, I get up, deciding to shower. As I climb the steps, I grab clothes from my room and go to Milton’s shower. His room still smells like him as I enter, and Bea and Blue are waiting for me to climb into bed with them.

After quickly showering and getting into a pair of black silk pajamas, I debate whether to message him to make sure he’s okay. Picking up my phone from the bed after towel-drying my hair, I open our message thread and type him a message.

ME: Are you okay?

He doesn’t reply.

Nibbling on my bottom lip, I get into bed and lie down. My heart thumps hard the longer my message goes unread. Another hour passes, and I’m still wide awake, the message thread still open. The screen light is burning my eyes, but if I just see that “seen” under my message, it means he’s okay.

A shiver rolls through me despite being beneath the comforter. Some more time passes, and still nothing. I’m exhausted, my eyes getting heavy. Until something snaps outside. My eyes dart in the direction of the large window. It’s pitch-black out there, so I can’t see but relax that the dogs haven’t stirred.

God, I’m going crazy.

Getting up, I decide to go and see if Barnes or Cole have heard from Milton. I’m worried and feel sick. The dogs come after me as I get up and go to the security part of the house. A cool breeze chills my skin as I enter, seeing the back door leading to the gardens wide open and neither of them anywhere to be found.

The hairs on my neck rise as Bea starts growling. Her eyes are homed in on the darkness outside. “What is it, girl?”

I step closer, trying to see what’s out there. That’s when a light comes on. A lone headlight followed by an almighty grumble of a motorcycle’s engine. More headlights blink on, forming a line by the trees, and I gasp when I realize what’s happening.

He’s here.

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