Code of Silence (Dark Kingdom, #1)

by Shantel Tessier

We’re the Bianchis, the Italian-American Mafia who runs most of Las Vegas. We’ve all got bounties on our heads and are always a target. If you don’t take out your enemies, they will take you out first.

Bones is… for lack of a better word, a fucking prick. Everyone knows him and his three friends as the Dark Kings, and they’re all arrogant pieces of shit. Titan, Cross, and Bones are all seniors this year with Luca. Grave, Bones’s younger brother, is a junior. The Kings are just like Luca—going to take over for their fathers and rule the world. Emilee, Jasmine, and I chose to stay because we didn’t want to leave each other behind. We knew that day would come eventually, but we’re putting it off for as long as we can.

Belial is the closest to Bones as I can see. See, in the satanic bible, Belial was associated with independence, the earth, and the north, the direction of darkness. He was also frequently associated with sex, lust, confusion, and darkness. All things that Bones lives for. Leviathan, who I associate with Titan, is the great sea monster, sexual desire from the unknown and feared depths. He’s an unstoppable force from within a man. And associated with water and the west. Lucifer would be Grave, bringer of light and enlightenment. He is a person’s inner light that society attempts to drag into the darkness of conformity. Then there’s Satan. AKA Cross. The adversary of mundanity, mediocrity, right-hand path, stupidity. Self-destruction, religion, and gods. He is associated with the element of fire and the south. His father was also the preacher. But believe me when I say that Cross was just like his father.

This isn’t a marriage. It’s a contract signed in blood.

The wife in question will produce three living heirs. Two of which must be sons. All cases after that will be up to Luca’s discretion.

“I love you, Haven. Always have. Always will. I won’t sit here and apologize for finding a way to get you. And if that means I get to make a little money in the meantime, then so be it.”

He gives me a smile. The one I never could say no to. “Because that’s how deep he was.” He takes hold of my left hand and looks at my ring. “But I would have paid a billion if it meant you were going to be mine forever.”

“Haven, I’m never going to leave you.” He pulls me into him. “I just wish you would have told me. My job is to take care of you. And if we get pregnant, then I’ll take care of both of you.” “If we get pregnant?” I arch a brow. “Of course. You’re not alone in this relationship, Haven.”

I open my eyes, and they sting from unshed tears. “I may be my father’s son, but I’m nothing like him. I don’t want my parents’ marriage. And I would never, ever hurt you or our children.” He