Chapter 196

Reina

The air inside the hotel was thick and heavy with the weight of everything that had just happened.

I could still feel the adrenaline coursing through my veins, my body tense and on edge even though we were supposed to be safe now.

But were we really safe?

I watched Ethan as he paced the room, his face tight with worry. He had not stopped moving since we arrived here, as if staying still would somehow let the danger catch up with us.

He was always like this. Taking everything on himself, trying to protect us without letting me in on the plan. But tonight, that wall between us felt thicker than ever.

I couldn’t take it anymore.

“Ethan, stop,” I said, my voice sharper than I had intended. “You need to sit down. We need to talk.”

“I can’t, Reina. I need to make sure everything is in order.”

“Bruce is taking care of it,” I pointed out, gesturing to the window where we could see Bruce moving around outside, checking the perimeter like some kind of silent guardian.

“Please, just ta