Page 108 of Shameless Royalty

I walk beside Sofia while leading her through the halls of the estate, my mind still processing everything she just told us. The weight of her words—of what Vito has been planning—sits heavy in my chest, coiling tight like a fucking vice.

The human trafficking expanding to little kids. The blackmail. The years of calculated betrayal. It’s bigger than I thought—bigger than any of us thought. And it makes me want to hunt that fucker down myself and put a bullet between his eyes.

Sofia walks quietly beside me, arms crossed, shoulders tense, her gaze flickering over the familiar hallways of a home she hasn’t stepped foot in for years.

I glance at her, taking in the sharp angles of her face and the way she holds herself. For a moment, it feels like we’re fifteen, like we’re still just a group of kids playing at being heirs, pretending our futures weren’t already written in blood.

But that’s long gone. And so is the girl she used to be.

I stop in front of one of the guest rooms near Cat’s, pushing open the door and gesturing for her to step inside. She hesitates for a moment before walking in, her eyes sweeping the room. It’s simple but comfortable—a large bed, heavy curtains, thick rugs, and an armchair by the window. Safe, at least for now.

She exhales as she drops onto the edge of the bed, rubbing a hand over her face. I lean against the doorframe, arms crossed, studying her.

“Why’d you pretend to be clueless last year?” I ask, my voice casual, but there’s an edge to it. “When Maddy was brought in for protection?”

Sofia lets out a humorless chuckle, shaking her head slightly. “I had to keep up appearances.”

I arch a brow. “Is that why you were a complete bitch to her?”

She looks up at me, a ghost of a smirk tugging at her lips, but it’s tired. Worn. “Yes,” she admits. “If I wasn’t jealous that Mihai had someone else, everyone would’ve thought something was wrong with me. And I couldn’t afford that.”

I don’t say anything, just watch her as she leans back slightly, supporting herself on her hands. Her eyes flicker with something guarded, and I know this goes deeper than just Mihai.

“I needed to act normal, Connor. After my father was killed, I needed to blend in. I needed people to believe I was still the same arrogant, spoiled bitch they always thought I was.” She lets out a bitter laugh. “And what better way to do that than to pretend I still had a claim on Mihai? To act like I was pissed about Maddy? It was an easy mask to wear.”

I watch her carefully, letting her words sink in. I remember how she was back then—sharp-tongued, quick to cut, always looking like she was seconds away from sinking her nails into someone just to make herself feel better. And yeah, she was a bitch to Maddy. But hearing this now, knowing the reason behind it, makes me see it differently.

“So you weren’t actually jealous?” I ask, tilting my head.

She laughs again, but it’s quieter this time. “I mean, maybe a little,” she admits. “Not because I wanted Mihai, but because Maddy had something I couldn’t have. Someone who cared about her. Someone who would go to war for her.” She shrugs, her gaze dropping to the floor. “And I had no one.”

I drag a hand down my face, sighing. “Jesus, lass.”

She lifts a shoulder, forcing a smirk, but I see the cracks in it. “Relax, Cunningham. I’m not looking for a therapy session. I’m just saying… it wasn’t about Mihai. It was about survival. And it worked. No one suspected a thing.”

I nod slowly, still watching her. “And now?”

Her expression hardens slightly, her back straightening. “Now, I need to stay alive. Because if Vito finds out I’m here, I won’t be.”

She’s right.

And that thought doesn’t sit fucking well with me.

Chapter 44

Connor

Thelowhumofthe approaching jet vibrates through the air, a sleek, unmarked thing cutting through the gray sky. I stand at the edge of the private landing strip, my hands shoved deep into my pockets as the plane touches down with precision.

The wind kicks up around me, rustling the edges of my jacket, but I barely feel the bite of the cold. My mind is already racing ahead to the meeting and what we’re about to discuss.

This isn’t just any meeting. It’s a gathering of the most powerful men in our world—the Five Crowns, minus one. The fact that they’re arriving on Christian Drakos’ jet rather than their own speaks volumes. Vito doesn’t know this meeting is happening. And that means, for the first time in a long time, we’re moving without him.

As the jet slows to a stop, the doors open, and one by one, they step out.

Dmitri Mikhailov is first, his gaze sweeping over the landing strip with quiet calculation. He’s always been the mostcomposed of us, the one who never shows his hand unless he has to. His father ruled with brutality, but Dmitri? He’s something else entirely. Colder. Smarter. Deadlier.

Ion Vasile follows, his sharp blue eyes taking everything in. He’s leaner than the rest of us, but no one in their right mind underestimates him. The Romanian Crown plays his cards close to his chest, always watching, always waiting.

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