Page 39 of Reckless Royalty

Cat rolls her eyes but doesn’t say anything. Chiara, on the other hand, is matching Marina’s energy, throwing in her own teasing comments about Konstantin and his notorious reputation.

“Good luck taming that one,” Chiara says with a smirk. “But hey, if anyone can, it’s you.”

Marina beams, clearly enjoying the attention. “Oh, I will. Just wait.”

I stay quiet, listening to their banter as we pull up to the Drakos Suite. The place is massive, even more so than I expected, with a sprawling garden out front and lights glowing from the windows.

As we step out of the car, I feel a knot of anxiety twist in my stomach. It’s been a long time since I’ve been in a crowd like this, and I’m not sure how I’ll handle it. But as we walk toward the bonfire, with the girls chatting and laughing around me, I feel a little less alone. A little less like the girl who’s been hiding in her room for weeks.

Chiara nudges me with her elbow, her eyes flicking to my tattoos again. “You’ve got to show them off more,” she says, gesturing to my arms. “They’re badass.”

Marina immediately locks eyes with someone across the lawn and grins. “There he is,” she whispers excitedly. “Konstantin Drakos, in all his brooding glory.”

I follow her gaze and spot him—tall, tanned, dark-hair slicked back, and wearing a leather jacket that somehow makes him look even more untouchable. He’s surrounded by a group of people, but there’s an air about him that screamsI don’t care.

He’s standing next to Mihai and the air leaves my lungs. Damn it, why does he have to look so hot just standing there and talking? No, I’m still mad at him for avoiding me. I can’t be thinking about him like that.

Marina squares her shoulders. “Wish me luck, ladies. Operation ‘Make Him Beg’ is officially underway.”

Chiara snorts, giving her a playful shove. “Go get him, tiger.”

Marina winks at us before sauntering off toward her target, leaving the rest of us behind. Chiara watches her go, shaking her head. “She’s going to need more than luck for that one.”

Cat smiles softly but stays quiet, her arm still linked with Chiara’s as they watch the fire. I stand next to them, my gaze drifting around the scene, taking it all in. It’s… nice. The warmth of the fire, the sound of laughter, the distant hum of music. It feels almost normal, something I haven’t felt in a long time.

“Hey,” Connor’s voice pulls me out of my thoughts, and I turn to find him standing beside me, his hands tucked into his pockets. “You doing okay?”

I nod, smiling a little.

He grins, nudging me lightly with his elbow. “Good. You deserve to have some fun, Maddy. Tonight’s a good night for it.”

I nod again, but my mind drifts to what Chiara and Cat mentioned earlier—about the last bonfire. I want to ask about it, but I don’t know how. There’s a heaviness in Chiara’s expression that makes me hesitate, like whatever happened that night is best left in the past.

Instead, I let the moment wash over me—the warmth of the fire, the easy banter between the girls, the way Connor stands close, always making sure I’m okay without being overbearing.

I’m starting to feel like perhaps I can belong here.

MIHAI

Ispot her the moment she walks in, and it’s like the air’s been forced out of my lungs. My mouth goes dry, and I find myself frozen for a beat, just watching her.

Fuck.

Maddy looks… different tonight. The usual quiet, reserved girl has been replaced with someone who commands attention. She’s dressed in a pair of fitted jeans that hug her curves in a way that makes it hard to look anywhere else, and that black corset—Jesus Christ, the curves on this woman. I just wanna fucking sink my fingers into?—

No.Fuck no.

Her blonde hair is tied up in a high ponytail, showing off the tattoos that snake down her arms, the ink shimmering slightly under the flickering light of the bonfire.

I swallow hard, trying to get a grip on myself, but it’s not working. She’s always been beautiful, but this? Fuck me, I can’t stop staring at her like a creep.

Connor’s glued to her side, just like I told him to be. He’s watching her like a hawk, making sure no one gets too close. He’s good at this, playing the charming friend while keeping an eye on her, and I know I can trust him with her safety.

Still, a part of me feels like I should be the one next to her. Not Connor.

I’ve been avoiding her since our day by the creek because I know getting close to her would be a big fucking mistake. She’s just a job, that’s all she’s supposed to be. But, fuck me, it’s getting harder to stay away.

“Eyes up here, Vasile,” a deep voice says beside me, snapping me out of my thoughts.

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