Page 82 of Shameless Royalty

I lean back in my chair, swirling the whiskey in my glass, listening as Giovanni updates us on his wedding plans.

“Still goin’ through with it, then?” I ask, taking a sip.

Giovanni nods, his sharp eyes flickering over me and Mihai. Nikolai isn’t here, but we have him on a call right now. He wanted to spend Christmas back home because Cat would be there along with my parents. She’s starting to show and Nikolai has become slightly obsessive over the fact that he can see his child growing.

Odd turn of events, I’d say.

“...and everything’s moving into place,” Giovanni says.

We all know what that means. Giovanni’s marriage isn’t just about tradition—it’s about strategy, a way to solidify his position before making his move against his traitor of a father, Vito.

On the other end of the call, Nikolai hums, his voice clear through the speaker. “And you’re sure it’s secure?”

Mihai’s lips twitch, his fingers tapping against his glass. “Wouldn’t be letting Maddy or my sister attend if it wasn’t.”

Giovanni snorts, lounging back in his chair, his dark eyes gleaming. “You say that like I’d let anything happen to the women. You forget who you’re talking to, Mihai?”

Mihai lifts a brow. “I forget nothing, G. Just making sure you remember.”

The Italian rolls his eyes but doesn’t argue. “What’s the timeline look like?” I ask him.

He takes a slow sip of his drink before answering. “I’m busy consolidating my alliances and it’s looking positive as fuck. Found out a lot of the bigger families want nothing more to do with my father because he’s a slippery fuck who goes back on his word eighty percent of the time. So, we should be ready to move by summer.”

I nod, letting the information settle. It’s risky as fuck, but if anyone can pull it off, it’s Giovanni. He’s been waiting for his chance to take out Vito for years and, if he succeeds, it’ll shift the power structure of the Five Crowns entirely.

“So, besides the weddin’ plans,” I say, turning my gaze back to Mihai, “any other interestin’ movements?”

His expression darkens slightly. “Anthony Dawson’s been spending a lot of time in the States.”

That gets my full attention. “With who?”

Mihai exhales, setting his drink down. “Sergei Volkov and Alberto Giannini.”

The room goes still and Giovanni curses under his breath. “That can’t be good.”

“Why the fuck would he be meeting with Volkov?” Nikolai asks, his hatred for that name clear over the phone. “I thought he was offering Santiago a place to lie low before he died. Why the fuck would he change sides now?”

Mihai shakes his head. “That’s the question, isn’t it? Sergei’s not known for wasting time. If he’s entertaining Dawson, there’s a reason.”

“We know he was playin’ both sides, since the fucker kidnapped our sisters,” I grit out, wanting to kill the cunt for a whole different reason.

I don’t like this.

Sergei Volkov isn’t just anyone. He’s the kind of man you don’t get an audience with unless you have something he wants. If Dawson’s dealing with him, it means he’s planning something bigger than just getting his son back.

And Giannini? That’s another layer of trouble.

I run a hand down my face. “You think they’re makin’ a move?”

Mihai leans forward, his gaze steady on both of us. “Dawson has resources, but he doesn’t have reach. Sergei does. And Giannini’s got his hands in every political pocket from New York to Rome. If they’re talking, it means Dawson’s trying to expand his influence.”

“That or he’s selling somethin’,” I mutter.

Mihai nods. “Or both.”

I clench my jaw, my mind already working through the implications. “Have we got eyes on him?”

Mihai smirks. “Of course.”

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