Page 74 of Royal Beast
The warm water from the shower still clings to my skin as I step out, Kellan’s towel draped around my body. I feel his eyes on me, but I don’t shy away. Not now, not after everything we've shared tonight. His touch lingers on my back as he gently dries my hair, his hands moving slowly, deliberately, as if he wants to keep me here in this quiet bubble where nothing exists except the two of us.
Kellan pulls me into his arms as we slip back into bed, the cool sheets a stark contrast to the heat of our bodies. He brushes a hand over my cheek, his gaze soft as he watches me.
“You should get some more sleep,” he murmurs, his voice rough from the night we’ve shared. “You’ll need the rest for the day ahead.”
I nod, even though my mind is already a thousand miles away, spinning with thoughts of my father and the decision I’ll have to make. But Kellan’s warmth wraps around me like a comfort I don’t deserve, and I let myself fall into it, letting my eyelids flutter closed.
I wake up long before the sun, the room still dark but light enough for me to see the outline of Kellan’s sleeping form next to me. His face is relaxed, peaceful, his body stretched out across the bed, a faint smile on his lips as he sleeps. I take a moment to look at him, drinking in the sight of him, feeling the warmth of his presence even in his sleep.
I should stay and enjoy this moment of quiet with him, but there’s a weight in my chest that pulls me away. There’s still so much to do. I need to pack some stuff, I need to go see my father, and there’s no time to linger. Sliding out of bed as carefully as I can, not wanting to wake him, I grab my clothes from the chair.
I get dressed quickly, my movements automatic as I slip into some linen coveralls and a warm sweater, my hands shaking slightly as I zip up my bag. I place a soft kiss on Kellan’s forehead, brushing the hair from his face. “I’ll be back soon,” I whisper, even though I know he won’t hear me.
Turning, I slip quietly out of the room and make my way into Rose’s room. My daughter is still sleeping soundly, her little face tucked into her pillow, completely unaware of what’s going on with the rest of the world.
I lean over and kiss her gently on the cheek, brushing a lock of hair from her face. “I love you, Petal,” I whisper, my voice thick with emotion.
I stand there for a moment longer, taking in her peacefulness. She’s so innocent in all this. It almost feels wrongto leave her, to walk out of this house with everything still up in the air. But there’s no choice. Right now, Max needs me. I can’t bear the thought of him lying in that hospital bed, all alone, wasting away from the disease that’s ravaging his body. I have to be there for him right now. I have to be with him.
With one last look, I walk out the door, my heart heavy in my chest.
36
KELLAN
The bed is empty when I wake up, the sheets cool where Darcy should be. My heart squeezes as I sit up, running a hand through my hair. She’s gone back to the hospital, no doubt trying to hold everything together like she always does.
Rose’s soft murmurs drift from her room. I step out of bed and head down the hall, finding her still curled up, clutching her stuffed bunny. A small smile tugs at my lips as I lean down to kiss her forehead.
“Kellan’s gotta go for a bit, sweetheart,” I whisper. “Clary’s coming to hang out with you.”
The front door opens as if on cue, and Clary’s cheerful voice fills the house. “Morning, Kellan! Where’s the little nugget?”
“She’s in her room,” I call, heading to meet her in the entryway. She’s carrying a tote bag overflowing with crafts and snacks, her energy already buzzing.
“Don’t worry about a thing,” she says, flashing me a bright smile. “Rose and I are going to have a great time. You just focus on your, uh… meeting. Good luck. Look after them for me, Kellan.”
I nod, grabbing my jacket and phone. “I will. Thanks, Clary. Call me if anything comes up.”
“Of course,” she says, already making her way toward Rose’s room. Her presence eases some of the tension knotting my shoulders.
I step outside, the cool morning air biting against my skin as I lock the door behind me. The drive to the diner feels longer than it is, the silence in the car amplifying the weight of what’s ahead.
By the time I pull into the lot, Rory, Liam, and Lucky are already waiting, surrounded by our backup. Rory’s jaw is set, his expression hard. Liam leans against one of the cars, his usual cocky smirk replaced by a rare, grim focus. Lucky stands off to the side, his sharp eyes scanning the area like he’s calculating every potential threat.
“Ready for this?” Rory asks as I join them.
“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I say.
The diner looms ahead, the place chosen to keep things civil, or as civil as possible. A group of Polish guards waits near the entrance, hired to ensure no one comes armed. As we approach, one of them steps forward, his voice brisk.
“Arms out.”
We comply without argument, their search thorough but strictly professional. Across the lot, Anatoly’s men go through the same process, their irritation clear in every stiff movement. I spot Aleksey among them, his sharp eyes cutting across our group like a blade. Dariy Volkov, Anatoly’s right-hand man and cousin, stands beside him, his posture radiating quiet menace.
Then there’s Anatoly’s daughter. Her gaze flickers over each of us until it lands on Liam, lingering a beat too long. Liam stares back for a beat but turns back toward us, shaking his head and letting the hired men check his jacket.
Once everyone is cleared, we move inside. The diner is eerily quiet, its usual buzz gone, replaced by the quiet murmur of voices from the back. Rory and Anatoly take their places at the center table, their stances dripping with authority as the rest of us fan out around them.
