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

Mia showers while I make us breakfast. It gives me time to consider what I will tell her. By the time she walks downstairs, I’ve changed my mind about five times.

“Not going to lie. The need to run out that door is overwhelming.” She sits on one of the kitchen stools. “But you saved my father’s life, and I know he wouldn’t have let you take me home if he didn’t trust you a little.”

Honestly, no one could’ve stopped me.

I had enough of my own weapons and men around me, including Mack, if it came to that. Which it didn’t because I was still in control of what was happening.

However, if it makes Mia feel safe right now, then I’ll take it. So, I nod.

“Why do you have all those photos of my family on your wall? The truth,” she asks as I slide pancakes in front of her.

I lean against the kitchen bench, facing her, and sip my coffee. I’m about to tell the fifth person in my life my story, and this time, it feels even more important.

I never thought I’d fall in love.

Caring for my Dark Kings is different. I know they can protect themselves. The likelihood of them dying on me is slim, despite the risks they are taking each and every day.

Mia is vulnerable.

Which means I’m now vulnerable.

“Because I think they may have murdered my family,” I tell her. “Correction, slaughtered.”

Her face pales.

She drops the fork she’s holding and swallows.

“I thought they died in an accident?” she whispers, and I shake my head.

“It may not be anyone in your family, but I’ve been investigating for a long time, Mia.” I put the coffee down on the bench and slide my hands into my pockets. “If I tell you anymore than I have, it will put you in danger.”

I let that sink in.

She’s a mafia princess. I don’t have to spell it out. Mia knows exactly what that means.

She stares down at her plate, then slowly, she lifts her eyes and meets mine. “I want to know.”

“You sure?”

I need her to be sure.

“Connor, you just told me you love me. You’re insisting I marry you,” Mia says, and a tinge of hope springs to life in my chest.

“Yup,” I reply, forcing myself to stay where I am.

“Then I deserve to know everything,” she adds.

I stand there, staring at her, my brain misfiring. I’m trying to work out what she is saying.

“Mia,” I finally get out, my hands sliding out of my pockets.

My feet are moving.

She slides off the stool as I pull her into my arms and my mouth claims hers. I don’t know what this means, but it’s been this way between us from the start. We’re like fucking magnets, unable to stay away from one another.

My mouth takes from her, sweeping through her sweetness and reminding her she’s all mine. I know it’s not that simple, but right now, I need her. I need to make her mine.

She pulls her lips from me, and I groan. “Mia.”

“I need to know everything first.” Her eyes close for a moment. When they open, they lock with mine. “Because if you make love to me one more time, Connor Barrett, and then break my heart, I won’t survive.”

“The only way this ends badly, Mia, is if you leave me. Then we’ll both be fucking broken.”

I gently kiss her lips one more time, then lead her down to my office.

Where do I begin?