Page 90 of The Darkest King

I notice she’s embarrassed, and my mood improves. She continues muttering oh my God, then lifts her face to mine. Her cheeks are rosy, and it’s adorable.

“We are definitely having children,” I say, enjoying watching her blush deepen.

God, we would have gorgeous babies.

Not that I’m ever expecting to have children, but Mia is a beautiful woman, and I know I’m a good-looking guy. Between us, I could just imagine the offspring we could create.

Jesus, this fake marriage is going to my head.

“I need to get some soda on this, or it will stain,” Mia says and runs out of the room.

I shoot Mack a glance, but he’s already following her.

When I turn back to Joe, all the warmth is gone. Time for the men to stop playing games and get to the heart of what this meeting is really about.

“I can see Mia is very taken with you,” Joe says, his voice low. “You have a very impressive career and have amassed far greater wealth than I have or ever will.”

Facts.

“I’m sure you’re an influential man, Mr. Barrett,” he adds.

“Please, call me, Connor.” I force back a smile because it will only antagonize him. I need his trust, not to make an enemy out of him. He has no ideahowinfluential I am.

I have information about the Mancini mafia that could devastate his organization in a matter of days, should I choose. People in powerful government positions owe me favors, who would make sure the damage is painful.

And I have his daughter.

Iaminfluential.

I’m the biggest threat to his business, life, and family, and he has no idea.

That’s not the goal today.

I want answers. I want Carlos, and whoever else is responsible for my family’s death. I want to watch them scream as they take their last breaths, just as my baby sister, Rebecca, did.

“However, I see you do not love my daughter, as you claim,” Joes says, ignoring my offer.

I don’t respond straight away. Not because he’s right, but because I’m not going to address it head-on. I’m as cunning as he is, and whether he likes it or not, Iammarrying Mia.

“Perhaps marriage—partnership, as you called it earlier—is not so much about love as it is a mutual understanding and sharing the same objectives,” I reply.

Jesus, I need to be careful.

That’s getting a little too close to the truth. Not that the mobster will have any clue who I am or what I am up to. If he did, I’d have a bullet between my eyes right now.

Joe takes another slow drink, watching me over his crystal cut glass.

A chill runs down my spine.

I’ve seen that look in a man’s eyes before, and it’s dangerous.

I stretch out my arm along the back of the sofa and cross my legs, not letting him intimidate me. He may be the head of the mafia, but I could snap his neck before he finishes his next sip if I wanted to.

My men are fast and trained. They’d have bullets in the men surrounding the room before they could touch me.

Joe lowers his glass and leans forward, placing it on the table. “You remind me of a man who double-crossed me once, many years ago. Don’t make that mistake, Connor Barrett.”

The fuck?

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