Fallen Royal (Mafia Royals 4)

“No, I drink more water than I’m supposed to.” I look away from my arm, deflated.

“Don’t worry, honey.” She pats me on the shoulder. “If anyone can figure out what’s going on, it’s Nik.”

I don’t have the heart to argue, so I simply nod my head. “You’re right; if anyone can heal me, it’s him.”

Chapter Four

“I am painfully situated, Utterson; my position is a very strange — a very strange one. It is one of those affairs that cannot be mended by talking.” —Robert Louis Stevenson

Izzy

I’m annoyed that I’m annoyed.

So what if he broke up with her?

I snorted into my wine glass. So what if it’s only, oh shit, I thought it was five, and it’s six, meaning I get the absolute joy of going over to family dinner.

I looked at the bottle and winced. I’d had a least two glasses on an empty stomach, and I knew dad would actually kill me if I drove to Maksim’s house. Besides, I wasn’t stupid, and I was already so damn distracted I managed to drink that much without even thinking about it.

Irritated on top of being annoyed now, I shot a quick text to Maksim.

Me: I need a ride.

Maks: What kind of ride? It’ll cost ya…

Me: The normal one. IN A CAR.

Maks: Well, that’s just prejudiced against horses, dune buggies, not to mention trucks, RV’s, and those little clown cars. Need I go on?

I nearly bit through my lip as I responded.

Me: I need you to pick me up in your car, pick one, and bring me to your house. I’ll be ready in an hour.

Maks: Your clarity is appreciated, Lil Iz.

Me: Not my nickname.

Maks: I just made it up.

Me: See you soon.

Maks: Damn, you forcing me to go now? Ouch, may as well just point a gun at my chest and shoot, oh wait…

Me: Been there, done that, sadly missed.

Maks: I learned how to duck and weave.

Me: I’m sure your father is very proud.

Maks: Mom made cake.

I sighed and put my phone face down onto the dresser so I wouldn’t be tempted to engage in whatever the hell was going on with him. Some days it was easy with Maks; other days, it was like he was carrying the world on his shoulders.

I wasn’t stupid. I knew he’d been getting more and more involved in the Family business; I just hadn’t expected it to steal the joy he’d always carried around like a badge of honor.

Wasn’t the fun one supposed to use all the jokes to keep the darkness at bay?

Still, I reached for my glass and tossed back more red wine. The guy could take anyone down just like Ash, Junior, King, Valerian—even Tank had a specific skill set.

Ash had his rage.

Junior had his size and fists.

King had his need to prove to everyone he could be the next Capo.

And Valerian had been tossed into the Petrov boss situation so fast that my head nearly spun off my body—he was terrifyingly intense in how he ran the Family, with fear and respect.

Which left Maksim again.

He’d always had his jokes, his smiles, his sexuality. The man could probably talk his way out of any situation, and if that didn’t work, start stripping, and even straight dudes would be tempted.

I swore it was all that gorgeous skin, the messy golden blond hair, the easy smile that reached his eyes every time, and the damn sculpted jaw that made a girl want to touch it to make sure it was real.

I lay on my bed to wait for him. That was probably the worst idea ever since I’d have to suffer a ten-minute drive in his car with the smell of him surrounding me and memories of us making out destroying me.

“How are you so soft, Iz?” Maksim’s hands ran up and down my hips, tugging my shirt over my head and tossing it to the ground. “You’re mine, you know that, right? No matter what, no matter what hell we go through, you’re mine.” His eyes darkened. “Until my heart stops beating until darkness falls—I’m just as much yours as you are mine.”

“I know.” I ran both hands over his strong cheekbones. “I don’t want to be without you, Maks, not now, not ever. Promise me you’ll always stay by my side.”

His mouth descended, covering my lips as his tongue claimed every empty part of my mouth, tugging me forward without using his hands or words. He pulled back. “Even if it looks like I’m behind you or ahead of you, remember, here…” He pressed a hand to my chest. “I’m always here, fighting for you, fighting with you, standing next to you. Even if the ending’s sad, it will still be an honor that you asked.”

I jolted awake, annoyed that I let myself fall asleep; I knew I shouldn’t have lain on my bed.