57. Connor
Chapter 57
Connor
The Legacy Week meeting wraps up with Nikolai giving a quick nod, signaling we’re finished for the night. Students filter out slowly, excited and whispering to each other about everything we just dropped on them.
Usually, I’d stick around, give the new ones a bit more attention and make sure they know exactly who runs shit around here, but right now, all I can think about is Malachi.
He looked so fucking good tonight in that tight black shirt and ripped jeans. Standing by the bonfire, red hair tousled by the wind, eyes wide and taking everything in, all lean muscle and casual ease. But the problem—the one that’s driving me fucking insane—is the guy he was standing next to.
Some asshole I’ve seen around campus but never bothered to learn the name of. Dark hair, tattoos, a little too close to Malachi for my liking. My stomach tightens, hot and possessive. It’s ridiculous. I know Malachi said he wanted space, but seeing another guy near him makes me lose my fucking mind.
When the room finally empties, Nikolai claps me on the shoulder. “Go on, Cunningham. Go find your boy before you explode from jealousy.”
I scowl at him. “I’m not jealous.”
Konstantin chuckles, clearly amused, as he passes by me. “Yeah, right. The second you saw the guy standing next to Malachi, you looked ready to kill someone.”
Gio snorts, slapping my shoulder. “Relax, Connor. Malachi’s into you. That boy looked at you like you hung the fucking moon when we both know you’d rather steal it.”
“Did you just fuckin’ liken me to Gru, you cunt?” I scowl at Gio and he just grins. The fucker.
Mihai shakes his head with a smirk. “He’s right. Malachi’s not going anywhere. Now, go be an annoying bastard somewhere else.”
They’re all fucking right, of course. Malachi’s mine, and I know it. But that doesn’t stop me from storming outside, my boots hitting the cobblestone path as I head straight toward him. Without the mask now, I’m fully exposed, my heart hammering in my chest as I close the distance between us.
Malachi and the other guy are still talking, heads bent slightly toward each other, voices low and easy. Something sharp twists in my gut, ugly and possessive. I don’t even hesitate as I step behind Malachi, wrapping my arms around his waist, pulling him back against my chest.
“Hey, Babyface,” I murmur, pressing my lips right against his neck, breathing him in.
He goes completely still, his body tensing in my arms. I know I’m pushing it, that he’s probably about to turn around and slap me, but fuck it. I need everyone here to see this—to know exactly who Malachi Dawson belongs to.
Malachi spins around quickly , breaking my hold and smacking my arm, his cheeks flushed. “Are you fuckin’ serious right now, Connor?” he snaps, gorgeous blue eyes blazing. “You can’t just grab me like that!”
I grin, completely unbothered. “Why not? You’re mine.”
He narrows his eyes, stepping back, arms crossing over his chest. “Am I? Last I checked, I told you I wanted freedom. But sure, go ahead, grab me in front of half the school.”
“You liked it,” I tease, watching the color darken on his cheeks. Fuck, he’s adorable when he’s bratty.
Malachi huffs, eyes flicking toward his friend, who’s staring at us with barely concealed amusement. “I did not. You’re so full of yourself.”
I smirk, stepping forward again, crowding into his space, loving the way his breath hitches slightly. “Sure, Babyface.”
Malachi rolls his eyes dramatically, but he’s still blushing. “You’re an arse.”
“And you’re cute when you lie.”
He makes an irritated noise in his throat, turning to his friend with a long-suffering sigh. “Aiden, I’m sure you know Connor Cunningham. He’s—” Malachi pauses, clearly unsure how to finish that sentence. “He’s an arsehole,” he finally decides.
I laugh, holding my hand out. “Nice to meet you.”
Aiden shakes my hand, giving me a wry smile. “Didn’t know Malachi was in deep with the Crowns,” he says, then he looks at my boy. “What was that about you not knowing who they were?”
Malachi groans. “Please stop talking.”
Aiden chuckles softly, stepping back. “Alright, I’ll let you two… do whatever this is.” He nods at Malachi, his eyes sparkling with amusement. “I’ll see you later, man.”
Malachi nods, his shoulders sagging slightly as Aiden disappears into the crowd. He looks back at me, still irritated but softer around the edges. I can’t help just staring at him, a stupid smile tugging at my lips.
“What?” Malachi snaps, still defensive.
I step closer again, shaking my head. “Nothin’. You’re just beautiful.”
His cheeks flame red again, and he looks away, biting his lip. “Shut up.”
“I mean it. I love that I can see your eyes properly now,” I murmur, reaching up to touch his jaw gently, making him look back at me. “I missed you, Babyface.”
He sighs softly, shaking his head, his eyes softening. “You saw me this morning, Connor.”
“Aye,” I breathe out, stepping even closer, our bodies almost touching. “But every second you’re not with me feels too fuckin’ long.”
Malachi lets out a shaky breath, his eyes flicking down to my mouth. I know I should probably give him the space he asked for, but the way he looks at me makes me forget everything else. Makes me want to kiss him again, right here in front of everyone.
He finally steps back a little, clearing his throat and rubbing the back of his neck, clearly trying to regain some composure. “People are starin’, Connor,” he mumbles.
“Let them stare.” I shrug, shoving my hands into my pockets to resist the urge to reach for him again. “I don’t give a fuck. I want everyone here to know exactly who I belong to.”
Malachi’s eyes widen slightly, his lips parting. “Connor—”
I smile softly, leaning in slightly. “It’s true. I’m yours, Babyface. You’ve got me wrapped around your finger, and everyone here needs to know it.”
He shakes his head slightly, a small smile breaking through the bratty exterior. “God, you’re annoying.”
“You love it.”
Malachi rolls his eyes again, but there’s warmth in them now, affection bleeding through his annoyance. “Whatever.”
I grin, holding out my hand. “C’mon. Let’s get you another drink.”
He eyes my hand skeptically, then sighs dramatically, slipping his fingers into mine. “You’re ridiculous.”
I pull him toward the makeshift bar, feeling lighter than I have in months. Malachi walks beside me, pretending he’s irritated, but I can see the small smile he’s trying to hide.
The tension between us from before is melting, but I know he still wants his freedom, so I’ll give him all the time he needs. Because now I know exactly how it feels to lose him, and I’ll be damned if I ever let that happen again.
I hand him a fresh drink, watching as he takes a sip, eyes flicking around the party. He’s so fucking beautiful it almost hurts, his cheeks flushed from the attention, hair messy from the breeze, blue eyes brighter than ever.
“You really like making a spectacle of yourself, huh?” he finally asks, side-eyeing me with a teasing smirk.
I shrug easily, slipping an arm around his waist again, pulling him close. “Only when it comes to you. Gotta make sure no one else tries anythin’.”
He laughs softly, shaking his head, but he leans into me slightly, allowing the closeness. “You’re ridiculous. No one else is even interested.”
I snort loudly. “Are you kiddin’ me? Half the people here are starin’ at you. You just don’t notice because you’re too busy being a brat.”
He scoffs, shoving me lightly. “Whatever. You’re delusional.”
“I’m serious,” I murmur against his ear, loving the way he shivers slightly. “I’m gonna have to fight off half the school just to keep you.”
Malachi blushes deeply, his fingers curling into my shirt. “Shut up.”
I grin, dropping another kiss against his temple, pulling him even closer. “Never.”
Malachi tilts his head up slightly, eyes bright and playful. “I should walk away right now just to teach you a lesson.”
I tighten my hold slightly, leaning down until our noses brush. “You could. But we both know you won’t.”
He groans softly, but he’s smiling, his eyes shining brighter than I’ve ever seen them. “You’re impossible.”
“Aye,” I agree easily, heart racing in my chest. “But you love me, anyway.”
He freezes slightly, eyes widening, but then he smiles softly, fingers threading through mine, holding tight. “Yeah,” he whispers, eyes soft and genuine. “I do.”
I swear my heart fucking stops for a second. Malachi’s never said it so openly before, never looked at me with so much vulnerability, and the fact he’s doing it now—in front of everyone—means more than I can ever fucking say.
I smile slowly, pressing our foreheads together, breathing him in deeply. “I love you too, Babyface. More than anythin’.”
He nods slightly, eyes bright, and finally tilts his chin up, pressing a soft, quick kiss to my lips before pulling back, cheeks flaming. “Now stop being embarrassin’, Cunningham.”
I laugh, pulling him back in, unable to help myself, my heart full and aching in the best possible way. “Never, Dawson. You’re stuck with me.”
Malachi sighs dramatically, rolling his eyes, but he doesn’t pull away. He leans into me, letting me hold him close, finally letting down his guard in a way I know means everything.
And standing here with him, the bonfire roaring behind us, his hand firmly in mine, I know one thing for sure—I’ll spend the rest of my life proving to Malachi Dawson just how much he means to me.