The Darkest King: A Dark Mafia Romance (The Dark Kings of NYC Book 1)

I’m fucking engaged.

How the hell did that happen?

I know how it happened—I proposed to her. Once Mia said yes, I dropped her at home. It took some willpower not to fuck her beforehand. But I said I’d give her one night to say goodbye to her old life, and I have.

Do I think she’ll change her mind?

No.

Tonight, after she finishes work, movers will arrive, pack her things, and move her to my penthouse. Mia will then live with me as my fiancé for the next six months. Or however long it takes for me to learn if Carlos was part of the Italian mafia…and a lead.

She’s the key to getting to the top echelon of the Mancini family, which has evaded Nathan these past six years.

I’m confident Mia bought into my motivation in agreeing to the fake engagement. Sex and money. I’m a man with needs, and after our explosive evening together and the chemistry clearly still alive between us, it made sense that’s what I would want from her.

And while there’s a small part of me that feels like an asshole, I do want to fuck her.

So that’s not a lie.

Knowing Mia has given me access to her pretty wet pussy whenever I want it is a fucking turn on. Tonight, she’s all mine, and that’s one part of our deal I won’t have trouble faking.

Being a fiancé and husband? That might be a little more outside my comfort zone. I’ve never been in a relationship before, and while it doesn’t look like brain surgery, we’ll both need to be alert and make sure we look like we’re in love.

As for Mia achieving her goal, I don’t have high hopes for her.

She seems almost too innocent to have come from a mafia family. Then again, Nathan said her mother protected Mia most of her life, and she has been off at college. Now, working for Donna. It’s about as far removed as any mafia family member could get. Now they want her back, and she wants her independence.

And she’s clearly willing to do quite a bit to achieve it. Such as marry me, hand over her trust fund, and fuck me for six months.

Thing is, once she divorces me, her father will bring her back into the fold and marry her off to whoever he wants.

Which is not my problem.

I focus back on the sweet smell of revenge and formulating a plan. Today, I’m getting everything lined up for our fake engagement announcement and buying Mia a ring.

“That everything, Mr. Barrett?” my secretary, Lilly, asks.

She’s been with me for over five years, and while she doesn’t know my secrets, Lilly is reliable and trustworthy.

My public relations manager, Tim, leans his hip against the sofa, arms crossed with one hand rubbing his jaw.

He knows something isn’t right.

Too fucking bad. He’s not getting any information.

I canceled all my meetings this morning and pulled them both in for a briefing. Mack stands near the door—his usual spot, if he’s not taking a break.

“Yes.”

“Okay, so I’ve got on my list here to make sure the flowers are sent to Ms. Mancini at Bloom Events by ten. And the movers need to meet her at her apartment at five this evening. I’ll have Harry Winston present rings to you at midday today.” Lilly glances at Tim. “The media team will ensure nothing leaks until we’re ready to send out the press release tomorrow morning.”

I nod.

Aside from my team needing time to prepare, I need to get word to Nathan. Hearing I’m engaged to the mafia princess out of the blue, when we’d met just last night, would take him by surprise.

We work on a no-surprises basis where possible.

Given I’ll be stepping into his world, into the Mancini residence, and meeting my fake father-in-law, well, Nathan needs a heads-up on that.

“We’ll do a press meeting,” Tim says. “This afternoon, we’ll send out invites, but they won’t know what we’re announcing until they arrive. We’ll have media packs for them.”

I glance at Tim, then back at Lilly.

“That’s all. And another coffee.” I glance into my empty cup.

“Yes, sir.” Lilly makes her way out of the office.

I stand, stretching my body. I missed my daily workout this morning to get a head start on things, and I’m feeling it. After being a marine, sitting behind a desk has taken some getting used to.

“Connor,” Tim says, and I glance his way. “Is there anything you’re not telling me? I need to be prepared for all possibilities and questions the media could throw at us, so with respect, I’d appreciate if you could share everything now.”

I hired Tim because he’s astute, so I’m not surprised he smells a rat. Today, though, he needs to just do his damn job.

“Mia being the daughter of Joseph Mancini is a challenge, I understand,” I reply, not answering his direct questions because he doesn’t demand things from me. “However, I trust you’ll navigate it. Focus on the fact we are in love and all that.”

The look he gives me says bullshit.

He’s right, but that’s not his job.

“It’s important we’re clear Barrett Industries has absolutely no involvement with mafia business. And we never have. We continue to be a law-abiding organization that contributes to the community. You can quote me on that.”

Tim nods. “For the media packs, do you and Ms. Mancini have any photos we could use to show your dating history?”

He knows there aren’t any.

The fucker is digging for information.

I trust him but not enough to sell the scoop of his life and make a clean ten mill.

“Draw up the media release and have it to me by lunchtime,” I say, ignoring him again, then walk to my chair and sit down. I wiggle my mouse to wake up my laptop. “Speak to Lilly if you need anything else. Otherwise, Mia and I will be here in the morning by eight.”

I wonder what kind of ring Mia would like. Lilly has already emailed me a gallery of images from Harry Winston to start looking through.

“Yes, sir,” Tim says. “I wouldn’t be doing my job if I didn’t warn you the media are going to be skeptical about this…”

I glance up at him.

“And wonder why you’re engaged to a woman related to the most dangerous mob in America.”

He’s trying my patience. “So do your fucking job. If you need a reminder of why you’re standing in this office, Tim, go check your last pay slip.”

He presses his lips together.

Tim earns nearly more than any of the executives on my team because public relations is damn important and he’s one of the best. Which is why he’s challenging me.

Tim is right. He’s doing his job.

But this isn’t a rebrand or business merger, for goddamn sakes. This is my personal life.

“I’m not giving you any more details. I am marrying Mia Mancini, and we are in love. That’s it. Make sure the media believe it, and don’t question the organization has any links with the mafia,” I say, then more darkly add, “because we don’t.” I’m out of patience. Or maybe I’m stressed when I say, “If you can’t do your job, then I will find someone who will.”

Tim runs a hand through his hair and quickly retreats with a got it. 

Mack catches my eye as Tim passes, and we share a knowing look. This was never going to be easy, but I hope its fucking worth it.

JUST BEFORE FIVE in the evening, I climb into the back of a rundown heap of shit. Mack organized it, and there’s a chance I now either own a Toyota Corolla, circa last century, or it’s stolen.

Nathan slides in, pulling his cap low and collar up.

“I’ve got five minutes.”

“Then I’ll get straight to the point. I’m engaged to Mia Mancini. Media will be told in the morning.”

As expected, he jerks his head around, shocked.

“Jesus, Connor. I thought Mia was lying to her family. This is real?” Nathan says. “Explain.”

He knows I never joke about women or the mafia.

“We met a few nights ago, and she told her father we were engaged. The opportunity just fell in my lap.”

“Why the fuck would she do that?” Nathan asks. “I take it the engagement is not legit?”

My brows raise. “Oh, I will marry her. Unless we get the information I want sooner. I doubt it will happen that fast. Whatever it takes.”

“Whatever it takes,” Nathan replies, repeating the Dark King’s motto.

It was the last thing we said that night in the desert, as we all shook hands and agreed on a future we had no clue we were about to create six years ago.

“Mia wants out of the family, and we need to get closer to Joe.” I rub my face. “I need you to know I’ll be visiting with her. She’s moving in tonight. To look legit.”

Nathan watches me, then shakes his head. “Jesus, Connor. Do you like this girl?”

I look away and stare into the front of the dirty Toyota. What I want to say is, she’s a sweet-tasting pussy for the duration of the job. But the words won’t come.

I’m not going to disrespect Mia like that.

It’s true, but I don’t want Nathan or anyone to think I’m using her sexually. I am. But I’m not. We both agreed to the terms, and it’s important Mia continues to believe this is what I wanted from her.

I do.

If I were a better man, I might not touch her. But I’m not and I will.

And I can’t fucking wait.

“She’s an asset,” I reply.

“Fuck, Connor. This is dangerous. I’ve been getting closer. Cade is starting to trust me. What’s our move if we find ourselves in the same place at the same time? They could link us.”

Yeah, fuck. I thought about this overnight. Still, I believe the potential benefits outweigh the risk.

I hope.

Nathan joined the Italian mafia using his real name and identity. His story was he was angry with the U.S. government after being stationed overseas and wanted to stick it to the man and make some real money.

So, they knew he was a former marine. The fact no marine worth his weight would ever dream of joining a mafia seemed to elude them.

As for me, it’s public knowledge I’m a former marine. Every bio and article written about me mentions it. Connor Barrett, entrepreneur and U.S. Marine…blah, blah, blah.

We just needed to make sure they never have cause to link us in any way. Or for any reason.

“For now, let’s not do anything to get them to connect the dots. Keep your focus on Cade. I’m not coming in hot, so there’s no reason for them to think you and I have a connection. Its Mia they’ll be worried about,” I say.

Losing their princess is a big deal.

Especially if they had a marriage with another mobster lined up.

“Yeah,” Nathan says, adjusting his cap. “Still a fucking risk.”

I get it. He’s nervous. I’m not going to pretend to know how he feels. He’s been living a double life with these assholes for so long now. I know he’s over it.

There is no vacation when you are undercover.

“Sorry, man.” I sigh. “Hopefully, this is the break we’ve been waiting for. Meantime, stay vigilant.”

“Always fucking am,” Nathan says, and we sit there for a moment, making the most of being able to just be who we truly are.

Marines.

Men with revenge always on our mind.

“Joe Mancini will try to manipulate you.” Nathan turns to look at me once more. “I doubt he’s going to let you marry her.”

I know. At least, he thinks he’ll be able to stop me, but he won’t.

“Cade is going to be a problem. He needs this marriage to Vitale to go ahead.”

I know that too.

“Fuck, Connor. This is messed up.” Nathan blows out a breath, adjusts his cap once more, then puts his hand on the door handle. “Stay alive.”

“You too.”

The next moment, he slips out of the car and is gone. I let out my own sigh and run a hand over my face. This could be the best or worst decision of my life. This morning, I was sure this was the right thing to do. Now doubt is creeping in, and I’m beginning to wonder.

I trust myself and I trust my team.

What I don’t trust is my ability to be completely neutral when it comes to Mia. Already, I’m trying to find a way to ensure she has her freedom so no asshole can get their hands on her when I divorce her.

The idea of Vitale near her makes my fists clench.

You don’t want anyone touching her. Be fucking honest.

Mia is not my concern.

Except I’ve decided she is.