Page 435 of Black Reign

We both turn.

Senior stands in the doorway.

I look at Xavier.

“You people really need to knock.”

His father ignores me.

“You are not leaving Blackwell.”

Xavier lifts one brow.

“That sounded emotional.”

“It is practical.”

“Interesting. That's what we said about the marriage.”

I smile.

Senior doesn't.

“You run Blackwell's most advanced technical operations.”

“For you.”

“Yes.”

“I've been doing that since I was twenty.”

“Because you're very good at it.”

“Also because you never asked whether I wanted something else.”

Silence.

I look at Xavier.

That sentence means more than this meeting.

Maybe more than he intended.

Senior hears it too.

His posture shifts.

“Xavier.”

My husband looks out toward Monaco.

“Sabine's right.”

Naturally.

I smile.

He glances at me.