Page 85 of Reckless Royalty

He snorts, a weak attempt at humor. “You’ve got a lot of faith in me, mate.”

“Damn right, I do,” I say, standing and holding out a hand to him. “Now, get up and stop feeling sorry for yourself. We’ve got shit to deal with.”

He hesitates for a moment before taking my hand and letting me pull him to his feet. He doesn’t look entirely convinced, but atleast he’s standing. Finally, he wipes his face with the back of his hand, his movements slow and deliberate.

Then he shakes his head, and grabs his bag. “I need to clear my head. I’ll come back when I’m ready, but for now… I’m done.”

I stand, blocking his path to the door. “Connor, think about this. Think about Cat. She needs you.”

He hesitates, his hand tightening on the strap of his bag. “Cat’s got you. And she’s got the girls. She doesn’t need me hangin’ around, makin’ things worse.”

I sigh, stepping aside reluctantly. “At least tell me where you’re going.”

Connor gives me a sad smile, his voice soft. “With my Da back to Ireland, regroup before I do something I regret later.”

I nod, knowing I can’t stop him, even if I want to. “Just promise me you’ll stay in touch.”

“I will,” he says, slinging the bag over his shoulder. “And Mihai?”

“Yeah?”

“Keep an eye on her for me,” he says, his voice cracking. “Make sure she’s okay.”

“I will,” I promise, watching as he walks out the door. The sound of it clicking shut feels like the final blow, and I sit back down on the bed, my head in my hands.

Connor’s leaving, and there’s nothing I can do to stop it. All I can do now is pick up the pieces he’s left behind.

MADDY

I’m lying in Mihai’s bed, the room dark except for the faint glow of moonlight filtering through the curtains.

I had a shower in his bathroom earlier, so now I smell like him and that alone brings me comfort.

The day has been long and heavy, and I’ve been replaying everything that happened, everything Cat said, everything Mihai’s been dealing with. I know he carries it all on his shoulders—responsibility for everyone around him, for things even he can’t control.

I hear the door creak open, and my body tenses instinctively. But then I catch the familiar sound of Mihai’s heavy, tired footsteps, and my chest tightens for a different reason.

The door to his ensuite bathroom clicks shut, and a moment later, I hear the water running. He didn’t even notice me. He must be completely drained and running on fumes. I know he had to talk to Connor, then probably deal with Nikolai, and God knows what else.

I sit up slightly, adjusting the covers around me, and wait. I imagine the weight of all that rage and betrayal sitting heavy on his chest, and I wish I could take some of it off him.

The shower runs for a while, and I can picture him in there, letting the water wash away the grime of the day, trying to clear his head. It’s almost soothing, the steady hum of the water filling the silence of the suite.

Minutes tick by, and then the bathroom door opens again. He steps out, steam trailing behind him, his dark curls damp and clinging to his forehead. He’s wearing nothing but a pair of black boxers, his tattoos stark against his tan skin.

He stretches, running a hand through his wet hair, and that’s when he finally notices me. His gaze locks onto mine, and for a second, he looks startled. But then his expression softens, and he offers me a small, tired smile that makes my heart skip a beat.

“Hey,” he says, his voice low, almost husky. He rubs a hand over his face, his lips curving up into something tender. “Didn’t know you were waiting for me.”

I shrug. “Figured you might need someone. How did it go with Cat and Connor?”

“Let’s just say it’s been a clusterfuck.” he mutters, his dark eyes soft despite the tension still clinging to his shoulders. “You didn’t have to stay up for me, you know.”

I shake my head, my voice soft. “I wanted to.”

Then I lift the edge of the blanket, silently inviting him in. His smile widens, and he crosses the room without hesitation, sliding under the covers beside me.

The mattress dips under his weight, and his warmth immediately envelopes me as he wraps his arms around my waist and lays his head on my chest. His curls tickle my chin, and I feel his body relax against mine.

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