Page 22 of Royal Beast (Royals of the Underworld #1)

KELLAN

O ver the past few weeks, things with Darcy have been getting better, though the criminal underworld seems to relish throwing new problems our way every time we get closer.

My phone buzzes as I reach for my jacket. Rory’s name lights up the screen and I close my eyes, already knowing this can’t be good.

“What now?” I answer, keeping my voice level.

“Shit’s hitting the fan,” Rory says, his tone clipped.

“The casino project is a mess. The suppliers are holding out for a bigger down payment, and those asshole clerks are dragging their feet on permits again. If this keeps up, we’re going to lose weeks on the project.

And you know how much I love losing money, Kellan. ”

“Have the accountants send a partial payment,” I say. “If you can arrange lunch with the city reps, I’ll get the permit situation sorted today.”

He pauses. “Got it. But there’s more. The Russians are trying to encroach on our turf again, mainly the docks. They jumped one of our men last night to send a message.”

Frustration rises hot in my chest. “No more allowing them to get the first jump. Get extra men on the docks, and if they make one more move, I’ll make sure they regret it.”

“Careful, Kellan,” Rory warns. “We don’t need a fight right now. But we’ll get it done.”

By the time we end the call, my mind is spinning, trying to sort out everything I need to do today.

Taking a deep breath, I head back to the kitchen.

Darcy is there sipping her coffee and scrolling through her phone.

She’s been waiting patiently for me to finish so we can go to the farmer’s market.

I catch the quick glance she sends my way, and I’m cautiously optimistic as I walk over and lean down to kiss her cheek.

“Sorry, sweetheart. I’ve got one more call before we can go.”

She offers me a small smile. “Of course. I’ll be here when you’re done.”

Her tone’s soft but there’s an edge to it. I reach for her hand, and just as she opens her mouth to say something, my phone buzzes again. It’s Lucky.

Darcy’s face falls. She makes an effort to hide it, but I can see the disappointment in her eyes. I let go of her hand, muttering, “One minute, I promise.”

I put the phone to my ear. “Volkov and his men are pulling every fuckin trick they can to scare off voters in the primaries,” he spits out. “They’ve been harassing voters, bribing officials, and doing everything they can to sway things in their favor.”

My jaw tightens. “I see. They aren’t just going after territory, then. They know we’re trying to get our people in office and they’re fighting back.”

“Exactly,” Lucky says, frustration in his tone. “If they succeed, we’re looking at a complete power shift on our side of town.”

I exhale sharply. “Get the word out. Make sure everyone knows what they’re trying to pull. We’re not letting them take this city from us.”

I finish the call and head back to Darcy, who’s standing by the window, arms crossed. Her shoulders are tense, her eyes distant. I know I’ve fucked up again, but I can’t help the fact that I’ve got a lot on my plate.

“Darcy, I?—”

She cuts me off with a forced smile. “It’s fine, Kellan. You’re busy. I get it.”

“Just give me a little more time. I’ll handle this,” I say, though I’m not even sure how much time I can give her. The disappointed look she gives me stings in a way I haven’t felt in a long time.

As I leave, there’s a chill in the room that wasn’t there before.

I want nothing more than to go back upstairs, join her at the table, and explain everything that’s been happening. But with all these fires to put out, I need to focus on that before they burn everything we’ve worked for to the ground.

I head out the front door of the building, giving the driver a nod as I slide into the back seat. I can’t stop seeing the hurt in her eyes. She’s been trying so hard lately, but I’m the one who’s been pulling away.

As we pull onto the street, I’m already turning over talking points in my head to discuss with the city reps during lunch. They’ve been skittish lately, and for good reason. Keeping them on our side is going to take some serious reassurance.

My phone starts ringing, Rory’s name flashing on the screen. I answer, the tension in his voice immediate.

“Kellan, you’re not going to believe this. The Russians hit another one of our warehouses. They sent the guards running, trashed the place, and left a lovely little message scrawled on the wall.”

My eyes narrow. “They’re starting to get too bold. We’re not just playing cat and mouse here anymore.”

“Exactly. We’re running out of time to get this under control,” Rory says. “We need to handle this head-on before they push any further. Anatoly’s behind this, no doubt about it.”

I let out a sharp exhale. “Then we need to arrange a meeting with Volkov himself. See if we can get to the bottom of this and shut down whatever he’s planning before it snowballs.”

Rory’s silent for a beat before he speaks again. “It’s a risk. He won’t give up much without some kind of deal.”

“I know,” I say, running a hand over my face. “But at least if we’re face to face, we can get a better read on him. Find out how deep he plans on dragging this.”

“Alright. I’ll put some feelers out, see if he’s open to it. But keep your guard up in the meantime—this kind of power play won’t stop with a little talking.”

“Understood. I’ll check in after lunch.”

Hanging up, I lean back in my seat, watching the city blur past me. Stakes are rising and I can feel the grip of the Russians closing in. It’s going to take all we’ve got to keep things from escalating to the point of no return.

A stab of worry hits me, a cold knot twisting in my gut.

It isn’t just business on the line this time.

With Darcy and Rose, I’ve got a target now, something that the Russians can go after.

The idea of something happening to either of them makes me sick, and an unfamiliar sense of anger simmers beneath my skin.

Am I making a mistake in letting myself get closer to Darcy?

Our relationship blossoming only drags her deeper into my world.

I’m not sure she should be tethered to someone like me, to this life.

And Rose doesn’t deserve to grow up under the cloud of danger that could come crashing down at any moment.

I rake a hand over my face, fighting the urge to put distance between us, if only to keep them out of harm’s way. But a surge of possessiveness overtakes me and I grimace at the thought of letting her go, leaving her vulnerable. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to them.

I glance down at my phone. Darcy's name flashes on the screen, a text from her.

You okay? You’ve been off the radar for a few days. Everything alright?

My thumb hovers over the screen for a moment, the guilt creeping in. I type back quickly,

All good. Just busy.

I’m about to slip my phone back into my jacket, but another message pops up.

Tonight’s still on, right?

My chest tightens. Our planned date night. The one I promised. Darcy’s hopeful face flashes in my mind, but I set my jaw, pushing the guilt down deep.

Can’t make any promises.

I flick my phone to Do Not Disturb and take a sip of my whiskey just as my lunch guests arrive.

Hours later, I walk into the exclusive back room of an upscale bar, greeted by Senator Burns. He gives me a sly grin and extends a hand. “Kellan. Good to see you.”

I shake his hand, nodding slightly. “Senator Burns. Let’s cut to the chase. What are we looking at with these Russians, and how can you give us some breathing room?”

He leans in, lowering his voice. “We’ll make it work. I’ll make sure legislation shifts in our favor for the casino permits as long as you keep up your end.”

I nod, my mind spinning with all the problems stacking up. We go over the details, smooth out the strategy, and by the time I’m back in my car, I realize I’m hours late for my date with Darcy.

When I step inside the house, Darcy’s waiting, arms crossed, a look of disappointment and frustration in her eyes.

“You said you’d be here,” she says, her voice steady but low.

“I know,” I reply, trying to keep my tone even. “But you know how it’s been lately. Things are crazy right now.”

“No, Kellan, you haven’t been telling me anything ,” she explodes.

Her arms fold tighter across her chest. “You can’t expect me to treat this like a relationship if you’re only going to be half-in!

I’m not just going to sit around waiting for you all the time.

You have to be honest with me and make time for me or we can’t keep doing this. ”

I take a deep breath, fighting the internal battle.

The urge to protect her, to reassure her that everything will be fine is there, but I bury it deep.

“That’s the reality of what this is,” I say, my tone cool, masking the ache in my chest. “You wanted security. I needed… cooperation. You agreed to this, Darcy, but you know my loyalty will always be to my family, first and foremost. I’m not looking for a happily-ever-after love story with anyone right now. You’re convenient, nothing more.”

Her face falls, and for a moment, I think she’s going to walk away. Instead, she takes a breath, lifts her chin, and meets my gaze.

“Thank you for reminding me what I signed up for,” she says, her voice steady despite the strain I can see beneath it. She turns and walks past me, leaving me standing there, the weight of my own words settling like a stone in my chest.

I watch Darcy walk past me, her back stiff, her steps steady but filled with something I can’t quite place. Anger? Resignation? I don’t know. But she’s already made up her mind, and I can’t bring myself to stop her.

I tell myself this is for the best. That it’s better this way.

The closer we get, the messier things become.

The more I care, the more I put her at risk.

My world, the one I was born into, isn’t a place for someone like her.

Not someone so full of warmth, of life, of hope.

I need to keep her at arm’s length. It’s safer for both of us.

But damn if it doesn’t hurt.

I shake my head, pushing those thoughts away. There are more fires to put out and more deals to close. I don’t have time for this. No time for petty things like feelings to get in the way.

“Take care of yourself, Darcy,” I say quietly, as much to myself as to her. She doesn’t respond, doesn’t turn back, and for a moment, I wonder if I’ve made a mistake.

But then the weight of the world falls back onto my shoulders, and I leave, heading toward the door. I can’t let myself get distracted. Not with everything on the line.

As I step outside, my phone buzzes. I pull it out, already knowing the message I’ll see, but still, my heart sinks a little more when I read it.

Don’t bother coming home tonight.

It’s Darcy.

I stare at the screen, my thumb hovering above the reply button.

What the hell am I doing?