Page 56 of Reckless Royalty

The old Maddy. The one who wasn’t afraid of anything. The one who laughed loud, wore whatever the hell she wanted, and didn’t give a damn about anyone’s opinion.

I’ve watched all the videos and scrolled through her social media. She used to be a rebel. Bold. Outspoken. There was this fire in her eyes, this untouchable confidence that drew people to her. She wasn’t just surviving—she was living. And now…

Now she’s a ghost of that girl. The fire’s gone, replaced by a quiet fear that she can’t seem to shake.

I watch her as she sleeps, the way her chest rises and falls with each breath. She’s been through hell, and she’s still here. Still fighting, in her own way.

I admire that. I admire her.

I catch myself thinking about the old videos again, the ones where she’d laugh and flip off the camera, or sing like she didn’t care who was listening.

And fuck, I want to see that girl again.

I sit back in the chair, my arms crossed over my chest as I continue to watch her. There’s something about the quiet, the stillness of the room, that lets me think a little clearer. I think about everything that’s happened, about how close we came to losing her tonight.

And I think about the way she called my name.

I’ve been through a lot of shit in my life, seen more violence and betrayal than most people could imagine. But that sound, her voice—broken, terrified, calling out for me—that’s the thing that shook me. That’s the thing that made everything feel real in a way I wasn’t ready for.

She’s become something more, and I don’t know how to deal with that.

I lean forward, resting my elbows on my knees as I stare at her. How the hell did we end up here? With me, sitting in her room, watching over her like she’s the most important thing in the world. How did I let it get this far?

But I can’t deny it. I don’t want to deny it.

Fuck.

I lean back again, trying to keep my head clear, but it’s no use. The image of her, the way she looked tonight when she was so scared, won’t leave my mind. And all I want to do is make sure she never feels like that again.

She stirs in her sleep, her brow furrowing for a moment before settling back into a more peaceful expression. I don’tmove, just keep watching her, making sure she’s okay. I’d stay here all night if I had to. Hell, I’d stay here for the rest of my life if it meant keeping her safe.

Because she’s more than just a responsibility. She’s more than just a loose end to be tied up.

She’s Maddy.

My little rebel.

I smirk slightly at the thought, shaking my head. I know I’m getting in too deep, but there’s no turning back now. Not after tonight. Not after hearing her scream my name like that.

She’s in my blood now, whether I like it or not.

As I sit there, watching her sleep, I make a silent promise. I’ll protect her. I’ll bring back the girl she used to be. The fire, the confidence, the rebellious spirit that’s still in there, somewhere.

I’ll help her find it again.

MADDY

When I wake up, the room is still dim, the soft light of early morning filtering in through the curtains. For a second, I forget where I am. I forget the terror of last night, the feeling of a knife against my skin, the panic that gripped me.

But then it all comes rushing back, and my heart skips a beat.

I turn my head, my breath catching as I see Mihai sitting in the chair beside my bed. He’s slumped awkwardly, his long legs stretched out in front of him, his curls wild and unruly. His leather jacket is on the floor next to the chair and he’s out cold, his chest rising and falling in a steady rhythm.

The hard lines that usually mark his features are softened, his jaw not as tight, his lips slightly parted in sleep. He looks… too handsome, honestly. Too perfect.

For a moment, I forget everything else—forget why he’s here, forget the chaos, forget the fear. I just watch him, my chest tightening with something I can’t quite explain.

The giggle slips out before I can stop it. It’s quiet, but the sound is enough to startle me, but I can’t help it.

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