Page 117 of Reckless Royalty

When I return to the bedroom, Mihai is awake, propped up on one elbow. His curls are wild, his chest bare, and the lazy, sleepy smile on his face makes my stomach flip.

“Good morning, baby,” he murmurs, his voice rough with sleep.

“Morning,” I reply softly, sliding back into bed beside him. The moment I settle, he pulls me close, his hand resting on my hip.

“You okay?” he asks, his thumb brushing against the silk of my robe. “How are you feeling?”

I look up at him, his concern evident in the way his brows knit together. “Sensitive,” I admit, my cheeks flushing. “But… good.”

His lips twitch into a smirk. “Good? After the way you fell apart last night, I’d say you’re underselling it.”

I swat his chest lightly, unable to hide my embarrassment. “Don’t start.”

“I’m just saying,” he teases, his hand sliding up to cup my face. “You were… incredible, Maddy. Trusting me like that. Letting me take you there.” His voice softens, his gaze turning serious. “I’ve never done that with anyone before.”

“Neither have I,” I whisper. “But with you… I felt safe. Like I could let go.”

He leans down, pressing a tender kiss to my forehead. “You can always let go with me, baby.”

We lie there for a while, the silence between us comfortable, until I notice the way his fingers are drumming lightly against my side. It’s a tell of his, I’ve learned—he’s working himself up to say something.

“What is it?” I ask, sitting up slightly to look at him.

He hesitates, his jaw tightening for a moment before he exhales deeply. “I need to talk to you about something.”

My stomach flips at his tone as worry creeps in. “Is… is it bad?”

“No,” he says quickly, shaking his head. “Nothing bad, I promise. I just… I’ve been holding onto this because I didn’t want to spring it on you, but now that we’re here…” He pauses, searching my face like he’s looking for reassurance.

“Mihai, just say it,” I urge, trying to keep my voice steady.

I watch him carefully, my heart pounding as he takes a deep breath, clearly trying to find the right words.

“Maddy,” he begins, his voice gentle but firm. “One of the reasons I brought you here to Bucharest… is to give you closure.”

“Closure?” I echo, my brow furrowing.

He nods, his grip on my hand tightening slightly. “I’ve arranged a memorial for your mother and your sister.”

His words hit me like a freight train, and I feel myself slipping, the emotions I’ve been keeping at bay rushing to the surface all at once. I scramble out of the bed, the silk of my robe tangling around my legs as I stumble toward the door.

“Maddy, wait!” Mihai calls, his voice laced with panic, but I can’t stop. I can’t breathe.

I burst into the living room, clutching at my chest as I pace, my thoughts a chaotic mess.

I collapse onto the couch, my head in my hands, tears streaming down my face. The thought of saying goodbye to them, of finally admitting they’re gone, is too much. It feels like ripping open a wound that’s barely begun to heal.

I hear Mihai’s footsteps approach, and then he’s kneeling in front of me, his hands gently resting on my knees.

“Maddy,” he says softly, his voice steady. “Baby, I know this is hard. I know it hurts, but you need this. You deserve this and they deserve to be put to rest.”

I shake my head, unable to form words and he sighs, his hands moving to cradle my face, forcing me to look at him. His eyes are filled with understanding and it makes my chest ache even more.

“You can’t keep running from this,” he says gently. “You need to let yourself grieve.”

The sincerity in his voice breaks something inside me, and I sob, the sound raw and unrestrained. He sits down next to me and pulls me into his lap, holding me tightly as I cry, his hand stroking my hair and his lips pressing soft kisses to my temple.

“It’s okay,” he murmurs.“Lasa totul sa iasa, iubito. Sunt aici. Te-am prins.”

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