Page 121 of Shameless Royalty

I nod once, then walk out of the room without another word. But the second I’m out of that office, the second the door closes behind me, I feel that ache, that fucking weight in my chest because I just lied to my father.

And worse, I just lied to myself.

I don’t stop moving until I’m outside, not until the cold air hits my face and my lungs feel like they might actually start fucking working again.

Mihai and the others are waiting by the cars, talking quietly amongst themselves. When Mihai catches my eye, his brows furrow slightly, like he can see the damage, like he knows this is the closest I’ve ever come to breaking in front of my father.

I roll my shoulders, pushing it down, shoving it deep where it can’t fucking touch me.

I don’t feel anything at first.

Not as I get into the SUV, not as we make our way to the landing strip, not as I force my shoulders to stay squared, my breathing even as I check my weapons. Not until the jet ascends, taking me away from him.

And then it fucking hits.

Chapter 49

Malachi

Ihearthedoorcreak open, and for one fleeting, stupid second, my heart kicks hard in my chest, my brain fooling me into thinking it’s Connor. A sharp, quick breath fills my lungs, and my fingers curl into the blanket, anticipation sparking through me.

But then reality crashes in, and I know without even turning my head that it’s not him. My heart settles into a wary beat, and I tense, dread unfurling in the pit of my stomach as the door softly clicks shut.

When I finally force myself to look, my breath catches painfully. Standing there, calm as anything, watching me with those sharp, calculating green eyes, is Declan fucking Cunningham.

I push myself up immediately, wincing as my ribs protest the movement. I sit straighter, forcing myself to meet his gaze. I’m not an idiot—I know better than to show weakness in front of a man like this.

Connor might be terrifying in his own way, but this? His father is something else entirely.

Declan takes me in, his cold, green eyes sweeping over me before he moves to sit down on the edge of the bed. I tense up immediately but don’t move away.

“How’re you feelin’?” he finally asks, voice deceptively smooth and casual, that familiar scratch from cigars deepening the timbre.

I force my expression to stay blank, giving away nothing. “Fine.”

He exhales softly through his nose, a hint of dry amusement ghosting briefly across his face before disappearing. “That’s a lie.”

I don’t respond, stubbornly holding his gaze, the tension stretching between us. After another long pause, Declan leans forward slowly, bracing his elbows on his knees. He pins me with that intense stare again, and my nerves coil tighter, suspicion bubbling beneath my forced calm.

“I won’t be wastin’ time with pleasantries, lad. You know exactly why I’m here.”

I swallow hard, keeping my shoulders squared even as anxiety twists deeper. “Do I?”

Declan’s brow lifts slightly, his expression unreadable, yet so sharply aware. “Aye, you do.”

The heavy, cold certainty in his tone tightens my chest, makes my pulse spike. I force myself to remain still, refusing to show the tremor crawling beneath my skin.

He sighs quietly, running a hand slowly over his jaw, thoughtful for a moment before speaking again. “I know what you mean to Connor.”

My pulse kicks up. I force myself not to react visibly, but he sees it anyway. He sees fucking everything. “Which means,”he continues, “as long as you’re under my roof, you’ll stay protected.”

For a second, I’m thrown, searching for the trap beneath the calm assurance in his words. “Why?” I manage finally, my voice steady despite the nerves crawling up my spine.

He lifts an eyebrow, his gaze patient and expectant. “Why do you think?”

Frustration bubbles up in my chest, forcing me to exhale in a short, irritated burst. “I don’t understand.”

Declan leans back, his expression giving nothing away. “You’re a smart lad. Figure it out.”

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