Page 102 of Unforgiving Queen

I’d have to set my plan in motion. Tonight.

37

REINA

My pulse leapt into my throat.

Even in my intoxicated state, I could taste the tension. Blood buzzed in my ears. Words followed in Italian. Hissed, angry tones. Papà’s. Grandma’s. Dante’s.

Everyone watched us, some glaring, others with amusement in their eyes. I didn’t fucking care. I wouldn’t just accept whatever they dished my way. Phoenix wouldn’t either. They could all go fuck themselves.

I found Amon’s gaze among all the voices while my heart hammered loudly, drowning everything out.

Bu-bum. Bu-bum.

My beating heart filled the silence, its steady humming in my ears. I couldn’t find enough oxygen, his gaze drowning me. I should break this spell that weaved around us before I found myself right at the beginning of my heartbreak all over again.

One second, two seconds.

The look in his eyes flickered with turbulence and something else that set off flames through me, warmth conflicting with the cold anger I felt for him.

Dante’s voice cut through the moment. “How long is this stare-down going to last?”

Phoenix closed the distance, getting in his face. “Would you shut the fuck up!”

Dante’s amusement slowly faded as he and my sister battled wordlessly. “What is your problem with me?” he spat.

Phoenix let out a bitter, angry laugh. I didn’t know if she’d read his lips or just didn’t give a shit what he’d said. The latter was more likely.

Dante’s dark gaze flicked my way, then returned to Phoenix, who was beyond pissed off. Rightly so.

Without warning, Phoenix rammed her knee into Dante’s groin and whirled around, turning her back to him.

A round of gasps and snickers followed. I might have actually giggled. I wasn’t sure, but I knew deep in my soul I was laughing.

“He might not be able to produce children,” Phoenix signed. “Or orgasms for the foreseeable future.”

We all snickered as she walked away, leaving Dante gaping after her.

“She’s got issues.” Dante snapped from his hunched position, glaring at Phoenix’s retreating figure. I laughed lightly and his eyes narrowed on me. “And you, Reina, are a lousy drunk.”

I spun toward him. “You… you’re a—” I searched for a word and failed to find it. Silence settled on the space until I came up with an appropriate insult. “Youare the reason God invented the middle finger, dickwad.”

“You’re a spoiled brat,” Dante spat, glaring at me.

I crossed my arms over my chest, fury quickly unfurling. “You’re a liar, cheater, and—”You look like your father.

He smiled coldly. “You’re shit-faced, so I’ll give you a pass.”

Raven burst into a loud laugh, her eyes shining with mischief. “Please,biatch. She could kick your ass with her eyes closed.”

“I know what I’m going to buy you for a present,” I announced with a devilish grin.

Dante raised a brow. “What?”

“A pain-relieving cream.”

He gave me a blank look. “What for? I’m not in pain. Phoenix’s move barely tickled me.”