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

“Ah, fuck,” I cry. Consciousness hits me like a sledgehammer.

A body beside me stiffens.

Where am I? Memories, foggy memories, come racing back, and I let out a cry.

“Mia, it’s okay. You’re safe,” Connor says.

Connor?

I blink my eyes open, and he’s leaning on an elbow, that gorgeous muscular chest and his sexy tattoo, in all its glory, on display.

“My brother…,” I try to say, but my voice is a croak.

“I know. It’s okay. We got you out,” he tells me, and I’m flooded with relief.

My mouth is clammy, and as I start coughing, Connor hands me a glass of water. Pink water.

“Electrolytes. Drink.”

I accept it, and he helps me sit up. I take a sip, and it’s heaven. And sweet. With another sip, more memories return.

Sienna.

Salvo Vitale.

“Wedding. God, Connor,” I say, being sparse with my words until my throat starts working properly.

But he just nudges at my glass, encouraging me to drink more. There’s a tension in his eyes I’ve never seen before.

“You didn’t. We stopped it,” he replies, and as I take another drink, I see the way he’s clenching his jaw.

“You saved me. Papa, he…OMG, Cade. He was going to kill him,” I gasp out.

“All stopped, Mia. Relax. You are home safe,” he says, running his hand over my hair affectionately.

I finish my drink, and immediately, I feel better. The electrolytes are working their way into my system.

I lean into him.

“I was so scared,” I say, and Connor pulls me into his arms, planting a kiss on my head.

“I know.”

“I should’ve known. I was at Sienna’s—”

Oh fuck.

The rest of the black gaps in my memory fill, causing me to stiffen.

“Mia,” Connor says, low and dark.

He knows I’ve remembered, and it’s all I can do not to scream into his chest as I realize I’m still not safe.

I’ve gone from one enemy into the arms of another.

I PUSH AWAY from him after the initial panic subsides. Connor lets me go, and I clamber off the bed.

Then collapse.

“Just take it easy. You’re still recovering,” he says, tossing back the sheets.

I wave at the air in front of me. “Put something on.”

He’s naked.

His brows shoot up.

Ugh.

Grabbing the bed, I stand and glance down at my own body to make sure I’m clothed. I’m wearing one of his NAVY T-shirts. He must have dressed me.

“Who are you?” I croak out.

“Connor Barrett,” he replies, taking a step toward me. “Your fiancé, and the man you are going to marry.”

I snort angrily.

“Is that a threat? Why the fuck does everyone want to marry me?”

“Because you are mine, Mia. I am not letting you go. I know you feel the same way.”

I fish-mouth it for a second, not believing my ears. Then, I point toward his office. “You know I saw that shit, right? I know you know.”

He nods.

“I don’t belong to you. Whatever you had planned is now over.” I glance around for my belongings, but I have no idea where my phone or my purse are. “You can’t keep me here,” I add and can’t help but glance at the heavy member hanging between his legs.

Stupid penis.

Connor walks into the wardrobe, and I stand there, staring at the doorway. He walks out in a pair of shorts and a T-shirt.

Well, at least I can now concentrate.

Which doesn’t last long because he walks right up to me and cups my face.

“I won’t keep you here. If you want to leave, you can, but I ask that you give me a few minutes to tell you what you saw. To explain.”

Why do I want him to kiss me, and at the same time run?

“Why would I?”

His thumb brushes over my cheek, and those damn chocolate eyes bear down on me so intensely, they nearly knock me over.

They don’t, but his next words do.

“Because, Mia Mancini, I am in love with you.”

CONNOR

NOW THAT I have her attention.

“You…Don’t lie to me, Connor.” She pushes me in the chest, and I smile. “And don’t laugh at me. I’m not some stupid woman you can trick.”

“I know that now,” I say, stepping away to give her space. “Get dressed and let me feed you. Then I will tell you what I can.”

She narrows her eyes at me.

“You will tell me everything.”

I haven’t decided whether I will or not, but I nod.

Mia glares at me, and I realize she’s questioning if she should trust me. After what she’s been through, I am asking a lot of her.

A better man would’ve taken her home to her father and then waited for her to be ready. That wasn’t and isn’t an option.

Obviously.

I have this one chance to save my life and see if I can convince Mia to be a part of it. Because I do fucking love her. It’s ruined everything, but I do.

“I swear on my life, you’re safe. Mia, I love you. I risked everything last night to get you back.”

She blinks. “My father.”

Mia’s so damn smart.

“Yes,” I say. “I had to tell him what was happening, as no one wants Cade to take over, and I wasn’t letting anyone else marry you. You belong here with me.”

I’m throwing it all at her.

“You saved his life.”

I nod.

“Why? I saw…” She points down the hall. “What is it? Why, Connor?”

Emotions boil up, and tears fill her eyes.

“I never wanted you to find that.”

“Clearly.”

She wipes her eyes, and I can’t help it. I go to her and pull her into my arms.

“Ugh, why am I letting you hug me?”

“Because I think you might love me too,” I say, but even I can hear the heavy hope in my voice.

I’ve never been so unsure.