Page 9 of Ruthless Royalty

No, I’m not being dramatic. I’m on the tarmac about to board Dmitri’s jet to my prison sentence. God, why did I think I would be fine? Why did I let Nikolai talk me into this after finding out about the Crowns? I’m not one of them, I’m one of those plastic tiaras at best.

“So, the Crown Suites, who all will live there besides us?” I ask, trying to pass the time and take my mind off the inevitable.

Nikolai shrugs. “There are five houses, and it’s always been treated like a fraternity. I’m the head of our house, Mihai is the head of his and so forth,” he starts. “We’ll be living in our Suite with at least four other people.”

Oh, great. Rooming with Bratva brats. My life is fabulous.

“I can see that mind of yours working overtime,” Nikolai says, rolling his eyes. “You’ll be fine, Chiara. WB is neutral. No one has died there since 1981.”

I gasp. “That doesn’t exactly make me feel relieved, you know!” I exclaim, and he chuckles. “And easy for you to say, yougrew up in this life. Just let me have my little panic attack in peace. I’m sure I’ll be fine once we’re up in the air.”

“Speaking of which, Mihai and Con are joining us with their sisters,” he says casually and gets out of the back of the SUV while I sit there, dumbfounded.

It takes me a few seconds to realize what he’s just said before I rush out after him. Why didn’t he tell me we’d have company?!

“Who the hell is Con?” I ask as I catch up with him, only to see a blond guy at the top of the steps leading to the plane.

He has the same tattoo as Nikolai and Mihai on the side of his neck, and that already tells me what he is. My gaze travels to his finger, and I catch the jester hat tattoo on his ring finger.

“That would be me, darlin’,” he says in an Irish drawl, his green eyes sparking with mischief. “Connor Cunningham, and you must be the lovely Chiara.”

“What the hell is it with everyone flirting with my fucking sister?” Nikolai grumbles and pushes Connor out of the way so we can step inside the plane.

I blink up at the literal surfer looking guy, and tilt my head to the side as I take in his profile while he shit-talks Nikolai. He definitely works out, and he’smost definitelya fuckboy.

Which begs the question, why the hell are all of these dangerous guys so hot?

I shake my head and step inside the plane, my gaze immediately falling on two women more or less my age standing with champagne flutes.

One has caramel skin like Mihai with dark curls pinned up in a ponytail, while the other has porcelain skin and has her long blonde hair in a French braid over her shoulder. They’re both gorgeous, and even though I made an effort with my appearance today, I still feel like a toe right now.

They both look up when I walk inside and Dark Curls grins and audibly sighs before she walks over to me.

“Finally, we have another girl!” she says, clapping her hands together as if she’s just got the best news ever. “Hi, I’m Marina and this is Cat. So glad you’re here! It’s always nice to have another girl around. Especially one who doesn’t seem completely stuck up.”

I can’t help but chuckle. “Well, I’m definitely not stuck up, but I am a little overwhelmed, not gonna lie.”

Blonde Braid, or Cat, rolls her eyes at Marina and offers me a warm smile. “I’m Catriona, but you can call me Cat. It’s nice to meet you, Chiara.”

“Nice to meet you, too,” I reply, giving her a warm smile.

“You know, lass,” Con interrupts again, leaning closer with a playful grin, “if you need a guide to show you around, I’m more than willing to help.”

“Con, shut it. She’s not interested in your pathetic attempts at charm,” Nikolai says in a bored tone, but when I look at him, he’s pointing a switchblade at Con. “Do I need to remind you that if any of you touch her, you’re dead?”

Con raises his hands in mock surrender. “Hey, just trying to be friendly.”

The banter is a welcome distraction from the anxiety that’s been gnawing at me. I watch the three guys and it occurs to me that they must have grown up together. Just a whole friendly bunch of criminal offspring.

I should shut up.

“Come on, let’s get you settled,” Marina says, dragging me to one of the plush seats.

I sink into the seat, feeling overwhelmed by the sudden flurry of activity and attention. Nikolai and Con are already arguing about something, and Mihai is lounging with an easy confidence that I can’t help but envy.

Marina plops down next to me, her enthusiasm infectious. “So, Chiara, tell me everything. How are you feeling about WillowBridge?”

“Trying not to hyperventilate,” I admit. “This whole thing is pretty nerve-wracking since I’m used to being in the background, but Nikolai tells me I’ll be right in the thick of it.”

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