Page 1 of King of Wrath

CHAPTER ONE

Nia

Deep inside I keep a dark secret. It’s so ugly and awful, it has colored my entire life.

I stare out at the perfectly manicured lawn of my gated home, the lush, green grass and sunshine mocking my mood.

I pull my long blonde hair back into a high ponytail, feeling a bit of air on my neck as I hum a bluesy song meant to remind me of why sunshine isn’t always happy. If it was, Las Vegas would never be sad, but I swear, it’s one of the most morally bankrupt places on Earth.

I have proof. Everyone thinks my mother’s death was an accident. A drunken drowning in her own tub. As if that isn’t dark enough.

But the truth is, the man who is publicly acknowledged as my father killed her. And he did it because he learned the truth about me.

I’m not his daughter.

I used to be his favorite. His namesake. Now, it’s all just a careful façade. He pretends to love me, and I pretend that the very sight of him doesn’t make me recoil in revulsion.

If I don’t…I’m sure I’ll be the next accidental death.

But privately, I’m making plans. I’m going to leave Vegas, disappear.

I’ve got it all mapped out.

I just need the right moment, the right person, and then I’ll be gone. What comes after I leave, I couldn’t say. That’s the next problem.

“Nia,” my sister Jess calls. “Are you ready yet? We’re leaving in like fifteen minutes.”

I push up from my chair on the covered patio, stepping into the much-cooler house. “I’ll be ready. Just give me five.”

She snorts. “No shower?”

I roll my eyes. Jess is a girly girl. It’s hair and makeup for hours. I only wear the barest bit of mascara and gloss, my hair usually pulled into a ponytail like it is now or down in my loose, natural waves. “Of course I’m going to shower.”

Not that I care about how I look or smell for this particular outing. We have a weekly date with a few girlfriends at our father’s casino, the Diamond.

They all like it because we drink for free. My father likes it because he can keep an eye on us. I don’t give a crap about socializing, but it’s all part of the charade. I pretend to be the frivolous daughter of the successful Vegas casino owner. He pretends to care. Neither are true.

I don’t care about the money or the big house. I’d happily live in a tiny apartment if it meant I was free.

And Toni Carcetti isn’t a success. I know how to discreetly listen, and Toni is about to lose several properties. He’s distracted. It’s the chance I’ve been waiting for.

But if I’m going to successfully escape, I’m going to need some cover. The only person who might be able to help me is Jess.

Not that she wants to escape. She loves Vegas and this life. Granted, she doesn’t know the truth, but I’m not sure she’d believe me even if I presented her with a mountain of evidence.

She’s happy being a mafia princess.

Or maybe I stopped being able to trust anyone a long time ago.

Either way, if she’s going to help me, she’ll have to do it unknowingly. Shouldn’t be a problem.

I run up to my room and take a two-minute shower, changing into a strappy sundress that hugs my curves.

My mom was a beauty. We look a lot alike, except for my blonde hair. I’m surprised Toni didn’t question my paternity sooner. I’m the only blonde in the entire Carcetti family. Today, I let my hair fall around my shoulders in loose waves, putting on the mascara and lip gloss that are my regulars.

Then I’m back downstairs.

Jess shakes her head when she sees me, her lip curling.

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