Page 38 of Reckless Royalty

I look between them, curiosity gnawing at me, but no one elaborates. There’s a moment of silence before Marina breaks it with a dramatic sigh.

“Speaking of fun, Konstantin Drakos is going to be there, and I’m going to make him mine.”

Chiara snorts, shaking her head. “Good luck with that. Drakos doesn’t exactly do girlfriends.”

Marina waves her hand dismissively. “Details, details. I’ll wear him down.”

I can’t help but smile at the way they banter. Cat, meanwhile, remains more reserved, watching the two of them with a quiet smile. I’ve noticed she’s always the calm one, the grounding force between Chiara’s sass and Marina’s fire.

Before I can say anything, Marina is already digging through my closet. “What are you wearing? You need something that says‘I’m here to have a good time, but also don’t mess with me.’”

I roll my eyes, but I get up and go along with it. After some negotiation, I end up in a pair of ripped jeans, my Dr. Martens, and a black corset that hugs my curves a little too tightly for comfort. My blonde hair is pulled up into a high ponytail, and when I look in the mirror, my eyes widen.

This is the Maddy who used to have fun, who used to sing and dance and feel free.

“Damn, girl,” Chiara says, whistling low. “You look like a badass. Your tattoos are amazing!”

I smile, nodding in thanks, and then I notice the faint outline of something peeking from under the strap of her top. Chiaranotices me looking and turns slightly, revealing the intricate dragon tattoo that takes up most of her back.

It’s stunning. The dragon’s scales are inked with such precision, it looks like it’s ready to leap off her skin. The wings stretch across her shoulder blades, and its tail winds around her waist. I stare, unable to help my admiration for the art and how it seems to fit her so perfectly—wild and untamed, just like Chiara herself.

“Pretty cool, right?” she grins, catching my reaction. “Got it a few years ago. Hurt like hell, but totally worth it.”

I nod, smiling at the thought of how much pain that must’ve been. Chiara just shrugs it off like it’s nothing.

“Alright, alright, enough admiring each other’s ink,” Marina says, rolling her eyes dramatically. “We’ve got a bonfire to get to!”

I grab my notebook and stuff it in my bag before we make our way downstairs; the energy between the girls is electric. Marina’s practically bouncing with excitement, already talking about how she’s going to corner Konstantin by the fire.

Chiara’s matching her enthusiasm, though there’s a guardedness behind her eyes. Cat stays close to Chiara’s side, her arm looped around hers like she’s silently promising to be there for her no matter what.

When we reach the foyer, Connor’s waiting by the door, leaning against the wall with that easy grin of his. The second he spots us, his gaze lands on me, and his eyes widen a little in surprise.

“Well, look at you, Maddy,” he says, pushing off the wall and giving me a once-over, his green eyes twinkling. “You clean up nice. Love the boots, by the way.”

I feel my cheeks heat up a little, unused to compliments, especially from someone like Connor. But the way he says it, there’s no edge, no agenda—just a genuine, friendly admiration.

Marina rolls her eyes dramatically. “Maddy always looks good. You just don’t notice because she hides it.”

I shake my head, giving Marina a half-smile. I know she means well, but I still feel a little uncomfortable in my own skin. Still, there’s something about letting myself be pulled along with the girls, letting their energy carry me.

Marina smirks, shooting me a knowing look before turning to Connor. “You ready to take us to the hottest bonfire of the year?”

Connor chuckles, holding the door open for all of us. “Aye, ready as I’ll ever be. Just promise me you won’t drag me into any drama tonight, alright?”

“No promises,” Chiara says, winking at him as she steps through the door. Marina and Cat follow, and I fall in behind them, feeling a little more at ease with each step.

Chiara hooks her arm through mine as we head to the car. “Tonight’s going to be fun,” she says with a grin. “No bullshit. Just us, the fire, and a lot of booze.”

I nod, though the mention of booze makes me a little uneasy. I haven’t had a drink since... well, since everything. But I’ll manage. Or I’ll just stick to water or something.

Connor opens the SUV door for us, ushering us inside with a playful, “Ladies first.”

Marina slides in with a grin, followed by Cat and Chiara. I’m last, and as I step into the car, Connor leans in slightly, his voice low. “Seriously, you look great tonight. Don’t let anyone tell you otherwise.”

I give him a small, grateful smile and climb into the backseat. The ride to the Drakos Suite is filled with chatter, mostly from Marina and Chiara. Marina can’t stop going on about Konstantin—how hot he is, how mysterious, how she’s going to make it her mission to be his girlfriend.

“You’ve never seen him up close, Maddy,” she says, turning to me with wide eyes. “He’s, like, god-tier hot.”

---