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

The helicopter begins its descent onto the front lawn of the Long Island Mancini Mansion, and I squeeze Mia’s hand.

We’ll be here for the next five days.

I’m still grappling with the fact I’m marrying into a fucking mafia family—for real—but then those crystal blue eyes meet mine, and I don’t give a shit.

I have the woman I love.

The rest, I will deal with.

The Dark Kings were unsurprised and said we’d deal with it. God, I love those assholes. Mack has a new respect for Mia, and now there are no secrets. They get along like a house on fire.

In fact, he’s very protective of her.

George kicked her ass, and she apologized, then said she wanted to keep him as her security detail. He was trying to hide his pleasure, but it was written all over his face.

Protecting a mafia princess isn’t easy. She’s not as innocent as she makes out. Every day is an adventure with her, and I’m totally up for the challenge.

“Jesus, Mia.” Sienna is staring at the vast estate with her mouth open. “This place is enormous.”

Mia grins and then smiles up at me.

I can’t wait to show her some of the homes I have around the U.S. and the world. Mia has much to learn about my life, and I’ve already begun preparing what we need for her if we ever have to activate Plan B. As my wife, she will always be protected and by my side.

“It’s just a house, babe,” Mia says as the chopper hits the grass. “I can’t wait to show you around. Your room is right next to mine. Ours.”

Her hand lands on my leg affectionately.

“Now I can show you my dress!” She wiggles, then glances at me. “Not you. We’re doing things properly now.”

“Now?” Sienna asks, and Mia waves her comment away.

I smirk.

Things changed fast once I proposed for real. Mia said she wanted to keep her ring when I offered to buy her a new one.

“The Rock of Gibraltar is part of our journey to falling in love with each other,” she had said.

“The Rock of what?” I’d asked but got waved off.

Ignoring whatever that meant, when I reflected back to the moment I chose her engagement ring, I realized there was a part of me that was selecting it for her, not the agreement, and perhaps even then, I knew it was forever.

And it is.

Mia Mancini, soon-to-be Barrett, is mine.

For fucking ever.

Her happiness and safety are my priority. Everything else comes second. Joe can ask us again about babies, if he wants. We’ve agreed we want three. Or four. A big family.

First, we need to get this enormous Italian wedding over with.

Five long days.

Deliveries have been arriving for weeks, with one thing or another. A second helicopter will follow us shortly with more Barrett security. Some arrived by car ten minutes ago.

I’m not taking any risks.

I glance outside. There’s a light drizzle, and I see two men running across the lawn with their umbrellas up. Joe is standing under the awning, smoking a cigar.

One day, you will learn that your daughter saved your life.

I’m still dedicated to replaceing Carlos, or whoever destroyed my family. When we’re married and arrive back home, I will open my father’s boxes and solve the mystery of the key and what it unlocks.

It’s nearly time.

Right now, I am clear about what’s important to me. Mia. Our marriage and the family we create together.

My revenge will resume in five days.

What can go wrong in the meantime?

THE TWO MEN drop the umbrellas as they get closer to the chopper blades, and one opens the door.

Shit. Nathan.

I don’t have the details yet, but he’s been able to gain back the trust of the senior Mancini and, it appears, to get even closer to the guy.

So apparently, he’s attending my wedding after all.

He’s looking gangster as fuck, with all his tatts on show and gun holster over his black shirt. That same smirk on his dial.

The blades slow to a stop, and we can all finally hear and stop shouting.

“Ladies,” Nathan says with a grin, completely ignoring me, then reaches out a hand to Sienna.

She blushes and gives him her hand, shooting Mia a look which speaks to all kinds of trouble.

Hell no.

Mia’s friend is off limits, Nate.

Sienna starts to climb out, slips and lets out a squeal as the umbrella goes flying.

“Sen!” Mia cries.

Nathan simply scoops her up. “I’ve got you, little lady.”

“Oh my God.” Sienna gasps like some eighteenth-century madam as I roll my eyes.

“I think it’s better if I just carry you,” Nathan says, winking at her.

“Oh, umm,” Sienna starts, but it’s too late. Nathan is already walking across the lawn with her in his arms.

“What is your name, my fair maidan?” I hear Nate ask.

For the love of God.

“Sienna,” she says, with another little laugh and a glance back at us.

I gave her some instructions on how to behave and stay safe during our five days. Falling into the arms of a Mancini gangster was not on the damn list.

Lucky it was Nathan.

Mia glances at me with a mix of concern but grins, biting her lip. “We need to keep her away from these men. They’re dangerous.”

One thing I haven’t done yet is introduce her to Nathan and Decker. That’s their decision to make. A risk they need to take. However, she’s aware Mack knows the truth.

“I’ll make sure no one touches her. Now, let’s go,” I say, taking her hand and helping her out. I take the umbrella from the second guy. “You going to carry us?”

“No, sir.” The guy shakes his head and takes off.

“Bully.” Mia nudges me.

“You know how this works, princess. It’s a pecking order.” I take her hand again. “Let’s go save Sienna and get married. Then get the hell out of here.”

She slaps my chest, and I smile down at her.

“You’re lucky I love you.”

“I am. I’m the luckiest fucking man on earth.” Then I stop, pull her against me despite the rain, and kiss her hard.

She’s breathless when she says, “You just did that to upset my father.”

I grin and start walking.

Yes. Yes, I did.

He’s still my enemy, and this is not over.