Page 47 of Reckless Royalty

Connor leans back, his grin replaced by something darker. “Not unless you’ve got a death wish.”

Giovanni doesn’t say anything, but the way he looks at me—the intensity in his eyes—says more than words ever could. The Crowns aren’t just powerful. They’re dangerous. And now, more than ever, I understand why Mihai was assigned to protect me.

“We’ve got you, Maddy,” Connor says, as if reading my thoughts. “And Mihai? He may not act like it, but he’s got a soft spot for you.”

I snort quietly, a soundless laugh, and scribble on my notepad.

Mihai? Soft?

Connor smirks, then he gives me a look that tells me he knows something I don’t. “Trust me, lass. You’ll see.”

MIHAI

Sofia drags me away from the fire, her fingers gripping my arm a little too tightly, pulling me toward a quieter part of the garden. It’s not the first time she’s done this—taken control, led me off somewhere private.

It used to be a welcome escape, a way for us to be alone without the weight of everyone watching. But now… now it feels uncomfortable.

She keeps talking, her voice smooth and low, like she’s trying to coax me into something I’ll regret. She’s always been good at this—getting me to bend to her will, making me feel like I need her in some way.

But tonight, it’s not working. My attention isn’t on her words, or even on the way she’s standing too close, her hand tracing the line of my arm.

It’s on Maddy.

I can’t stop thinking about her. How she smiled, how she laughed—because of me. How, for the first time since this whole mess started, I saw a glimpse of the girl she used to be. A girl I want to protect, not because it’s my duty, but because I care. Too much, maybe. But I care.

“Mihai,” Sofia’s voice snaps me back to the present, and I realize I’ve barely been listening to her.

She’s standing in front of me now, closer than before, her hand on my chest, her fingers curling slightly into the fabric of my shirt.

“Are you even listening to me?” she asks, her tone sharp, annoyed.

I blink, forcing myself to focus. “Yeah, I’m listening.”

But I’m not. I’m not really here. Not with her and the more Sofia talks, the less I care about what she’s saying.

It’s strange. I used to feel something around Sofia—attraction, perhaps even a sense of obligation because of our history. But now? Now it’s like all of that has faded.

Sofia doesn’t seem to notice, though. She’s too focused on whatever game she’s playing, her eyes narrowing slightly as she presses her body against mine.

“We could get away from all this,” she murmurs, her hand sliding up to my neck. “Just for a while. You and me. Like old times.”

I stare down at her, but all I feel is… nothing. There’s no spark, no pull. Not the way there used to be. Her touch feels like just that—a touch. Nothing more. Nothing less. It’s like my body’s gone numb to her, and the realization makes my stomach twist uncomfortably.

Sofia leans in, her lips brushing against my jaw, and that’s when it hits me—I don’t want this. Not with her. Not anymore.

I gently take her wrists in my hands, stopping her from getting any closer. She pulls back slightly, her eyes wide with surprise, like she didn’t expect me to reject her. And honestly? Neither did I.

“Mihai?” she says, her voice soft, confused.

I meet her gaze, my grip on her wrists firm but not harsh as I hold them between us. “We can’t keep doing this, Sofia.”

Her brows knit together in confusion, and I can see the hurt flash across her face before she hides it behind that perfect mask of hers. “What are you talking about?” she asks, her voice sharp again, defensive.

“This,” I say, gesturing between us. “Whatever this is. We can’t keep pretending it works. It doesn’t.”

Sofia’s mouth tightens, and she pulls her wrists out of my grip, stepping back. “So, what? You’re just going to walk away? After everything?”

I nod, feeling the weight of the decision settle in my chest. “Yeah. It’s time to walk away.”

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