Page 3 of Shameless Royalty

Chapter 2

Connor

Thestairscreakundermy boots as I head down to my father’s office, the sound grating on my nerves more than usual. I don’t want to be down here, but Declan Cunningham doesn’t wait for anyone. When he summons you, you show up.

The heavy door is already half-open, and I step inside without knocking. He’s behind his desk, a glass of whiskey in his hand even though it’s barely noon. The fire crackles behind him, throwing shadows across the room.

“Connor,” he says, looking up from whatever papers he’s sifting through. “Sit.”

“I’ll stand,” I reply, leaning against the edge of the desk instead. He gives me a long, measuring look before setting the glass down.

“I just got word from Dmitri,” he begins. “Nikolai and Konstantin will be arrivin’ in two days.”

My jaw tightens immediately. I glance away, fixing my stare on the fire instead of the man who seems to enjoy dropping bombs like that as if they’re nothing.

Da sees it. Of course, he does. The man doesn’t miss a thing.

“Speak your mind, lad,” he says, leaning back in his chair.

I cross my arms over my chest. “You want the polite version or the truth?”

His lips twitch like he’s amused, but there’s no humor in his eyes. “Let’s skip the polite version.”

I take a deep breath, forcing my hands to stay at my sides. “What’s there to say? Nikolai waltzes in, acts like nothin’s happened, and I’m just supposed to sit there, happy to see him?”

He leans back in his chair, studying me with that calculating look I’ve come to hate. “You’ll sit there and do what’s needed, same as always.”

I glare at him, but he’s already moving on. “Dmitri and I have come to an agreement,” he continues, his tone casual, like he’s discussing the weather. “When Cat is found, she’ll marry Nikolai.”

It’s like a fuse ignites in my chest. I push off the desk and pace, my voice rising before I can stop it. “You can’t be serious, Da. Marry her off?To Nikolai?After what he’s done?”

“It’s the best way to protect her,” he replies, his tone calm. “This isn’t about what you or I want, Connor. It’s about keeping Cat safe.”

“Safe?”I stop, turning to face him again. “Safe from who?”

“From everyone,” he says simply, and the quiet conviction in his voice makes it worse. “You know how this works, lad. Catriona is carryin’ his child and that makes her a target. Dmitri and I agreed—Nikolaiwilltake responsibility, and this will unite our families.”

“It’s not about unitin’ families,” I say, my voice low. “It’s about tyin’ up loose ends.”

His expression hardens. “Watch yer mouth.”

“I won’t,” I snap, stepping closer to his desk. “This is Cat we’re talkin’ about. My sister.Your daughter.And you’re just… you’re just givin’ her away to Nikolai like she’s a pawn in one of your bloody games.”

His eyes darken, the full weight of his authority pressing down on me. “Don’t talk to me like I don’t know who your sister is. Everythin’ I do is for this family.Everythin’.You think this decision was easy? It’s the only way to keep her under our protection—and under Dmitri’s. Nikolai’s her best option.”

“The best option is lettin’ her make her own damn choices,” I fire back. “Not shovin’ her into a marriage she doesn’t want.”

“She’ll want it if it means staying alive,” he says sharply. “And so will you, once you stop letting your pride get in the way.”

My pride?

I can feel the anger boiling over, my hands curling into fists at my sides. “This isn’t about pride, Da. How am I supposed to trust him after what he did to Cat? After he told her havin’ a baby would ruin his fuckin’ life?”

He sighs heavily, rubbing a hand over his face. For the first time, he looks tired, like the weight of our world is sitting squarely on his shoulders. Which, frankly, it is.

“You’ve known Nikolai your whole life,” he says quietly. “He’s your brother, Connor.”

“He stopped bein’ my brother the second he touched Catriona,” I say through gritted teeth.

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