Page 75 of Shameless Royalty

I nod, unable to trust my voice. His hand slides back down to my waist, steadying me as he pulls me closer again. The warmth of him, the strength in his hold—it’s enough to make me feel like, for once, I’m not completely alone.

And maybe,just maybe, I don’t have to be.

Chapter 34

Connor

I’veneverbeenonefor sentimentality. Gifts, romance, grand fucking gestures—they’ve never been my thing.

Tomorrow, I leave for Romania, and I should be thinking about that, but all I can think about is him. The bratty redhead I’m pulling into my bedroom.

He said it himself—that we’re nothing outside of his room. That whatever this is between us doesn’t exist beyond those fucking bars and it stuck with me. I don’t want him to feel like a secret even though that’s what we are right now.

The house is quiet—empty except for us. My parents took Cat to Dmitri’s estate for the holidays, giving me the perfect opportunity to have Malachi in my space.

When we get to my room, I shove the door open, pull him inside, and lock it behind us. Malachi glances around, his expression guarded. “So, what? You gonna chain me to the bed now?”

I snort, grabbing his wrist and tugging him toward the small table where I’ve set up dinner. “Not tonight.”

His gaze flicks down to the plates of food—still warm and fresh. He blinks. “You… made me dinner?”

I shrug, grabbing his wrist and pushing him into the chair. “Figured if I’m leavin’ tomorrow, I should spend the night with my favorite hostage.”

He rolls his eyes but picks up his fork anyway. “You’re such a dick.”

I grin, dropping into the chair across from him. “Aye, but I’m yours.”

He doesn’t respond, but his lips twitch slightly, and I call that a win.

Malachi glances at the plates, then at me, suspicion flickering in his blue eyes. “What’s your angle?”

“No angle. It’s Christmas Eve. You’ve been locked in that room for too long, and I wanted to have dinner with you. That a crime now?”

He watches me for another long moment, then sighs as if I’m so impossible. “Fine,” he mutters, reaching for his fork.

I smirk, but I don’t push him. I just watch as he takes his first bite, waiting for his reaction.

His brows lift slightly, and I swear, it looks like he enjoys it before he schools his expression into something more neutral. “Not bad,” he mutters, but the way he keeps eating tells me more than his words ever could.

We eat in comfortable silence for a while, the tension easing with every bite, with every glance we exchange. It’s fucking nice. Normal.

After dinner, I sit back in my chair, watching him, memorizing every little movement, every flicker of emotion that crosses his face. I don’t want to leave tomorrow. I have to; I think we both need some distance and I need to talk to Mihai.

I reach into my pocket, fingers curling around the small box. My chest tightens slightly at what’s inside. I shouldn’t be doing this. I should wait.

But I’m a possessive bastard, so I won’t.

“Got somethin’ for you.”

Malachi blinks, caught off guard. “What?”

I smirk, reaching into my pocket and pulling out the small velvet box. “Christmas present.”

His whole body freezes. “You got me a present?”

I set the box on the table between us, nudging it toward him. “Merry Christmas, Babyface.”

His lips part slightly, but he doesn’t say anything. He just flips the box open, revealing the Claddagh ring inside, gleaming silver under the dim bedroom light. It’s simple, but there’s meaning in every detail—the heart at the center, the hands cradling it, the crown perched on top.

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