Page 151 of Shameless Royalty

With him.

Chapter 60

Connor

Ilieinsilencefor a few moments, the rhythmic beating of Malachi’s heart pressing gently against my chest. My fingers trace the curve of his spine, each bump and ridge under my fingertips a stark reminder of the hell he’s endured.

The raised scars—the whip marks—feel rough, violent, and cruel against the softness of his skin. A surge of anger coils deep in my gut, bitter and poisonous. I close my eyes for a second, trying to breathe through it, but it’s useless.

“I’m still goin’ to kill him,” I mutter, barely above a whisper. “Your father. I’m gonna rip him apart for doin’ this to you.”

Malachi exhales softly, a quiet sigh brushing across my chest. His fingers trace idle patterns against my ribs, but he doesn’t look up. “Connor,” he murmurs tiredly, sounding like we’ve had this conversation a hundred times already. “It doesn’t matter anymore. I don’t even see him as my father.”

I clench my jaw, breathing slowly through my nose. The fury doesn’t fade—if anything, it burns brighter. “It matters to me,” Isay firmly, voice rough with the emotion I can’t keep at bay. “He hurt you, Malachi. He marked you. He tried to break you, and I can’t just sit back and let that bastard get away with it.”

Malachi’s eyes finally lift to meet mine, soft and a little wary. He shifts, propping himself up slightly, so he can look at me fully. There’s a quiet resignation in his gaze, a weariness that makes my chest ache.

“He didn’t break me,” he whispers, brushing his thumb softly over my collarbone. “I’m still here. I’m right here, with you.”

I swallow past the lump in my throat and I reach up, brushing his messy red curls from his forehead, thumb stroking gently over his temple. “I know, but it doesn’t erase what he did. You didn’t deserve any of that.”

He sighs softly again, eyes closing briefly. When they open again, they’re filled with a quiet kind of strength. “You’re really not gonna let this go, are you?”

I smirk, lifting a brow. “Not a fuckin’ chance.”

He rolls his eyes, an exasperated smile tugging at the corner of his mouth. “Fine. Go ahead. Kill him. You officially have my blessing.”

I let out a low chuckle, shaking my head at the sass in his voice. “You make murder sound like a chore.”

Malachi shrugs, trying for casual, but I see the lingering shadows beneath his eyes. “I’m over it. I don’t wanna waste energy hatin’ someone who isn’t worth it. You’re worth it, not him.”

My heart clenches at his words, the simple honesty behind them cutting me deeper than I expected. I pull him closer, pressing a gentle kiss to his forehead. “You’re incredible, you know that?”

He scoffs quietly, a blush blooming across his cheeks. “Shut up,” he mumbles, embarrassed. “You’re such a sap sometimes.”

“And you love it,” I tease softly.

He huffs, but a small smile tugs at his lips, anyway. “Maybe a little,” he admits quietly.

I roll him onto his stomach gently, positioning myself so I’m hovering over him. Malachi turns his head, watching me curiously, those blue eyes wide and unsure. “What are you doing?” he asks softly, voice slightly hesitant.

I smile gently, leaning down until my lips brush against the harsh ridges along his back, pressing soft kisses to each ugly scar. He hasn’t allowed me to see him this openly before, and as much as I hate it, I need him to know how beautiful he is to me.

“I’m showin’ you exactly how beautiful you are,” I whisper against his skin, tracing my lips carefully over every brutal mark. “I’m provin’ to you that these scars don’t define you. They don’t make you any less perfect. They just make you stronger, braver. More incredible.”

He shudders beneath me, breath hitching as I kiss my way slowly up his spine, lingering on every single scar Anthony Dawson dared to put on him. His body trembles slightly, his breath shaky, and it only makes me want to do this more. I want him to feel it, deep in his bones, just how much he means to me.

“I’m sorry he ever made you feel anythin’ less than fuckin’ incredible, Malachi,” I murmur. “I’m sorry I wasn’t there to stop it, to protect you. But I swear to you—no one is ever gonna hurt you again.”

He sighs quietly, eyes closing as my kisses continue their slow, steady journey over his back. “You can’t promise that, Connor,” he whispers, his voice soft but honest. “Not with your life, your family. People will always try to hurt us. That’s just how it is.”

I pause, resting my forehead gently against his shoulder, breathing him in. “You’re right,” I admit quietly, hating the truth of his words. “I can’t promise nothin’ bad will ever happen. But I can promise I’ll do everythin’ I can to protect you. You’ll alwaysbe safe as long as you’re at my side. I’ll burn down the world for you, Babyface.”

He turns his head, eyes meeting mine; his gaze is so intense and vulnerable that it steals my breath. “I don’t want you to burn the world,” he whispers softly, reaching back to brush his fingers against my jaw. “I just want you here, with me. That’s enough.”

For a moment, all I can do is stare at him—this brave, broken, beautiful boy who somehow loves me, even when I’ve hurt him. “You’re so fuckin’ good,” I breathe, cupping his cheek gently, thumb brushing softly over his skin. “Too good for someone like me.”

He frowns, shaking his head slowly. “Hey, don’t do that,” he whispers firmly. “Don’t talk like you don’t deserve this. Like you don’t deserve me. You’re not your father’s choices or your family’s name. You’re Connor. My Connor.”

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