Brutal Vows (Queens & Monsters #4)(83)

Declan repeats loudly, “You’re not going to Paris without me!”

“I know, honey. So I’ll call you with all the details, okay, Reyna?”

“Sounds great,” Reyna replies, rising. She sets her empty wineglass on the coffee table as Sloane stands, then they hug.

I don’t know why the sight of them embracing makes my chest tight and a lump form in my throat, but it does.

Judging by Declan’s expression, he’s not feeling quite so misty-eyed about the situation.

Poor bastard. He’ll spend the next few days trying to dissuade Sloane from the Paris trip idea, which we all know will fail miserably.

We say our goodbyes and head to the car.

As soon as we’re settled in and Kieran’s driving us down the winding road from the estate, Reyna turns to me.

“I’m worried about Lili. Can you find out what’s happening?”

I take her hand and say softly, “She’s fine, lass. They got to Mexico safely.”

“You talked to her?”

“No. I talked to one of the men who took them.”

“When?”

“This morning.”

The sun set hours ago, so the light is low, but I can still see her face well enough to catch the flash of anger in her eyes.

“This morning,” she repeats, her voice cool. “When you were so distant.”

I drag a hand through my hair, sighing. “Aye. I’m sorry about that.”

Swallowing, she looks away. After a moment of silence, she says, “You don’t have to apologize.”

“I should apologize when I’ve been an arse.”

She shakes her head. “You don’t have to explain, either. I understand.”

Something in the tone of her voice—and in the way her hand is sitting passively in mine, like a dead fish—makes me nervous. “What is it you understand?”

“I just meant that you deserve privacy. You’re not obligated to share every little thought on your mind. I know you need space.”

When she gently pulls her hand from mine, I grab her chin and turn her head toward me.

Her expression is blank. Her eyes have a distant look in them. She’s withdrawn into herself, somewhere she doesn’t want me to reach her.

Fuck that shite.

“What’s wrong?”

“Nothing.”

She swallows again. I think it’s a tell for when she’s emotional, but trying not to show it.

I’m having none of that fucking nonsense. I grab her and drag her onto my lap.

She exhales and closes her eyes, muttering, “Here we go.”

“You’re bloody right, here we go! Kieran, shut your ears, mate!”

He gives me a thumbs-up and turns on the radio.

Holding Reyna, I give her a squeeze and a little jostle, growling, “Talk to me, viper. What the fuck is going on in that mind of yours? And don’t say ‘nothing’ again, or I’ll give you a spanking.”

Her eyes flare. She hisses, “Try it, Irish. I’m in the mood to spill some blood.”

Though I’m anxious about what’s eating her, I grin. “There’s my She Devil. Now start talking.”

“What is this pathological need you have to discuss everything?”

“It’s called being an adult. Now quit hiding from me and spill your guts, woman.”

As stiff and prickly as a cactus in my arms, she glares at me. “I’m going to take you up on your offer to let me live in my own place.”

That stuns me. Hurt, I say, “Why?”

“I don’t owe you an explanation.”

Okay, now I’m bloody angry. If she wants a fight, she’s getting one.

Through gritted teeth, I say, “Aye, viper. You do. I’m your bloody husband, remember?”

Her eyes could freeze me to an ice cube. She says flatly, “As if I could I forget.”

“Don’t try me, woman.”

“Or what?”

I’m well aware that we could go back and forth like this all night, so I take matters into my own hands and kiss her.

She resists me at first, pushing against my chest and trying to get away. But I don’t let her. I hold her and kiss her until she’s pliant and shivering and my dick is screaming at me for release from my trousers.

“Now fucking talk,” I say against her mouth, breathing hard. “And give me the consideration of being honest.”

“Like you were honest with me about being in love with another woman?”

That feels like a slap across the face. “What the hell does that mean? Who am I supposed to be in love with?”

“Riley.”

From the front, Kieran lets out a low, astonished whistle.

Ignoring him, I demand, “How do you know about Riley?”

I realize that’s the wrong approach when all the fight drains out of her. Reyna swallows again and looks away. “Please let me go.”

“Goddammit, woman. You’re not going anywhere. Look at me.”

Of course she won’t, so I take her face in my hand and force her to. Looking into her eyes, I say deliberately, “I’m not in love with Riley.”

“You know what? It’s really none of my business if you are.”