Page 74 of Reckless Royalty

As the meeting breaks up, I catch Giovanni’s eye. “Giovanni,” I say, motioning for him to stay behind. The others leave, casting him glances of quiet support as they go.

After the boys leave, I place a hand on his shoulder. “I know this isn’t easy for you. But you’ve shown incredible strength. Your father’s betrayal doesn’t define you.”

Giovanni nods, his expression hard but grateful. “Thank you, sir. I won’t let you down.”

“You won’t,” I assure him. “Because failure isn’t an option.”

The heavy echo of his footsteps fades as the door closes behind him, leaving the room in a dense silence.

Declan sighs and pulls a cigar from the inner pocket of his suit jacket. He takes his time clipping the end and lighting it, letting the flame linger a second longer than necessary. The sharp scent of smoke curls into the air as he exhales, his green eyes narrowing with thought.

“Well, lads,” he says, his Irish lilt heavier than usual, “that makes two chairs in the Five Crowns that’ll soon be open.”

The truth of his words hits hard. We’re still grappling with Santiago’s absence, now Vito’s betrayal has already cost us more than we can measure. Giovanni will fill the seat, but it’ll take a while for him to gain the loyalty his father had.

And the fallout is only just beginning. I glance at Dmitri, who is now standing by the window, his hands clasped behind his back, the tension in his shoulders visible.

“Vito’s fall was inevitable,” he mutters, his voice low and sharp. “The man’s been slipping for years, thinking hiscleverness could outmatch loyalty. Now he’s touched one of my very own. That’s unforgivable.”

Declan takes another drag of his cigar, his eyes thoughtful. “Giovanni’s ready to take over the Italian Crown, no question about that. But taking his father’s seat won’t be simple. Vito’s loyalists won’t just step aside.”

Humming, I nod, my gaze fixed on the decanter of whiskey on the table. “Giovanni will have to move fast and decisively. If he doesn’t, we risk more fractures. He’ll need our support—and he’ll have it—but it’s up to him to solidify his position.”

I lean forward to pour another glass of whiskey. “We’ll need to test Drakos sooner than we planned. If Christian Drakos can hold the Greek seat, he’ll need to prove it now—not in a few months. The timing isn’t ideal, but we don’t have the luxury of waiting.”

Declan nods, tapping the ash from his cigar into the crystal ashtray. “That one’s got ambition, no doubt about it. But ambition without loyalty is a knife waiting to stab you in the back. We’ll need to see if he’s got the teeth for it.” His lips curve into a wry smile. “And if he’s willing to bloody them.”

“Agreed,” Dmitri says, finally turning from the window. His voice is cold, his words measured. “Drakos is a gamble and his grandson even more so, but we may not have much of a choice. The Five Crowns are only as strong as their weakest link, and we can’t afford weakness now.”

I nod, swirling the amber liquid in my glass. “It’ll be a test, then. Something that proves where his loyalties lie.”

Declan hums as he leans against the edge of the desk, his cigar resting between his fingers. “We know Sofia is not respected in her circles because of the way Santiago spoiled her. The lass has no support and will get eaten alive. We can’t leave Santiago’s seat open too long, that kind of vacuum attracts the wrong kind of attention. Fuck, it already has.”

Dmitri’s expression darkens, his gaze flicking to me. “There’s another family if Drakos doesn’t work out,” he says, his voice low.

I raise an eyebrow. “Which family?”

He smirks faintly, the expression devoid of humor. “One I’ve been watching for years. They’re smaller but well-placed. Their leader’s been circling like a vulture, waiting for a seat to open. And now… two possible seats? He’ll see it as his golden opportunity.”

Declan’s expression sharpens, his posture straightening. “And you trust this family?”

Dmitri’s smirk fades. “Trust is too strong a word. But I know how they operate, and if we bring them in the right way, they’ll be more of an asset than a threat. But that’s a story for another time.”

Declan raises an eyebrow, clearly curious, but Dmitri doesn’t elaborate, and I don’t press him. If Dmitri thinks it’s a matter for later, then it’s one I trust he’ll bring forward when the time is right.

“We focus on what’s in front of us,” I say, setting my glass down. “One problem at a time. First, we deal with Vito and Giannini. Then we test Drakos. Once those pieces are in place, we’ll deal with the rest.”

Declan smirks, tapping ash from his cigar into the tray on the desk. “You always did know how to keep your head on straight, Ion. Let’s just hope the lads don’t burn everything to the ground before we get there.”

I let out a low chuckle, the sound bitter. “If they do, at least they’ll make a hell of a statement while doing it.”

Declan then raises his cigar in a mock toast. “To keeping this delicate balance of our loyalties intact, then.”

Dmitri grunts, the sound more acknowledgment than agreement. “To making sure no one dares to fuck with it again.”

I pour myself another glass of whiskey, the amber liquid catching the dim light. “To the future of the Five Crowns,” I say quietly, raising my glass.

But even as I drink, I can’t shake the feeling that the road ahead will be anything but smooth.

---