Dark King (Advantage Play Book 2) Read online

  Dark King

  Advantage Play Series Book Two

  Kelsie Rae

  Contents

  Chapter 1

  Chapter 2

  Chapter 3

  Chapter 4

  Chapter 5

  Chapter 6

  Chapter 7

  Chapter 8

  Chapter 9

  Chapter 10

  Chapter 11

  Chapter 12

  Chapter 13

  Chapter 14

  Chapter 15

  Chapter 16

  Chapter 17

  Chapter 18

  Chapter 19

  Chapter 20

  Chapter 21

  Chapter 22

  Chapter 23

  Chapter 24

  Chapter 25

  Chapter 26

  Chapter 27

  Chapter 28

  Sneak Peek of Little Bird

  Chapter Two

  Also by Kelsie Rae

  Dear Reader

  About the Author

  Cover Art by Sly Fox Cover Designs

  Editing by My Brother’s Editor and Edits in Blue

  Proofreading by Stephanie Taylor

  October 2019 Edition

  Published in the United States of America

  Copyright © 2019 by Kelsie Rae

  All rights reserved.

  No part of this book may be reproduced in any form or by any electronic or mechanical means, including information storage and retrieval systems, without written permission from the author, except for the use of brief quotations in a book review.

  Blurb

  It is highly recommended you read Wild Card before enjoying Dark King. You can purchase it here.

  Rule #5: Don’t allow distractions. They’ll only break you.

  In the blink of an eye, Kingston Romano’s entire world has fallen apart. His sister is in the hands of a rival mafia family, and his only hope of getting her back is by making a wager that includes the mysterious Acely Mezzerich.

  Unfortunately for King, his feelings for Ace only escalate the longer he’s around her, muddling his conscience as well as his arrangement with the enemy. He needs to execute it perfectly if has any hope of saving his sister and keeping Ace.

  As the pieces start to fall, he’ll have to learn who he can trust and who needs to be eliminated before it’s too late.

  *This book is intended for people 18+

  Chapter One

  Ace

  Every inch of my body aches, but it doesn’t stop my blood from boiling. Pacing the opulent room across from Kingston’s like a caged beast, I let my anger take hold.

  Asshole. Sonofabitch. Rat bastard. Motherfucker.

  I can’t believe he sent me away. That he doesn’t trust me. That he won’t let me talk to him. I only offered to help, and he doesn’t even have the decency to let me do that much!

  Jaw clenching, I continue marching back and forth along the thick, padded carpet beneath my bare feet when I hear the distinct sound of the door handle twisting.

  As soon as Kingston comes into view, I begin my verbal assault.

  “You sonofa—”

  Kingston raises his hand, and my mouth snaps shut.

  I hate the control he has over my body, but I remain silent even though my inner bitch is clawing to get out.

  “I need your help,” he begins, leaning his shoulder against the doorframe and giving me the space I desperately need.

  His comment makes me pause. Tilting my head, I assess him closer. His short, dark hair is messy as if he’s been running his fingers through it. He looks like he hasn’t slept at all, and the dark, silk tie that is usually tied to perfection around his neck has been loosened hinting at his anxiety. He’s usually so put together that seeing him this way lessens the anger pulsing through me.

  With a defeated sigh, I surprise myself when I murmur, “What do you need, King?”

  “I need you to teach me how to play poker.”

  My brows raise, and my eyes widen as I point to my chest. “You want me to teach you how to play poker?”

  His mouth quirks in amusement before he takes a hesitant step into the room and closer to me, sensing the icy barrier I’d built between us slowly melting.

  “Yeah, Ace. I want you to teach me how to play poker. You’re the best. And we need the best if we’re going to beat Burlone at his own game.”

  “We? As in the precious Romano family?” The bitterness seeps into my voice as I recall how he chose his family over me, even though I’m the one who offered to help in the first place.

  Raking his fingers through his hair, he tugs at the roots before scratching the scruff on his chiseled jaw. “It’s nothing personal, Ace. It’s just the life of a made man. But when I said we, I meant you too. Earlier, you offered to put your life on the line to save my sister. You still up for that?”

  I don’t miss the way he actually asks for my input, even though the minor twitch by his right eye lets me know how much it kills him inside to request something instead of demanding it. Memories of my childhood assault me, quickly followed by the knowledge that his sister is experiencing the same hell I had no choice but to survive. Am I willing to put my life on the line to save his sister? Am I being impulsive by even considering it? I don’t know. But I do know that I hate Burlone. I hate him with every fiber of my being. If I had a gun in my hand and Burlone was in the same room with me, I wouldn’t even hesitate to pull the trigger. I’d give anything to erase him and the memories that haunt me.

  After a few seconds, I come to a conclusion and take a cautious step toward Kingston. When I’m within reach, his large hands grab my hips and tug me into him until our fronts are plastered together. Closing my eyes, I rest my head against his chest and let his warmth seep into me before murmuring, “Yeah. I’ll do whatever it takes to help your sister. But you need to promise me something.”

  “And what’s that?” His chest rumbles against my ear.

  “That you never let Burlone touch another person ever again.”

  “What are you suggesting, Wild Card?”

  He knows what I’m suggesting. He’s not dense, but a small part of me is aware this is a test. Kingston wants to see if I’m bold enough to request something so despicable.

  And I am.

  Pulling away from the warmth of his chest, I look up at him, my gaze on fire.

  “I want you to kill him.”

  Chapter Two

  Ace

  Waking up in King’s bed is nothing short of surreal. Last night, he picked me up, carried me to his bed, and laid me down on his mattress, then dropped a quick kiss to my head, telling me to get some rest and that he’d be back in a little while.

  With tired eyes, I look around the expansive room with its gorgeous furniture and open windows. Dark wood. Dark sheets. Dark curtains. It’s gorgeous. Just like the man who lives here. Attempting to sit up, I collapse seconds later. My whole body is sore from my encounter with Burlone’s guy, but the silky sheets enveloping me are almost enough to compensate for the pain.

  I turn on my side to see the other half of the giant bed empty. Reaching over, I feel the sheets to see if they’re still warm, but the cool sensation confirms my suspicion. He didn’t come to bed last night, and I can’t blame him. Not when his sister is in the hands of a monster like Burlone. My gut swirls at the thought as memories of my childhood resurface for what feels like the thousandth time in the last twenty-four hours. Releasing a slow breath, I try again, sitting up and scooting my legs over the side of the bed.

  My ribs are throbbing, but King confirmed nothing’s broken, saying that whoever beat the hell out of me took it easy.

  Still hurts like hell, tho
ugh.

  I roll my eyes at the thought and touch my feet to the floor before making my way down the hall in search of the elusive Kingston.

  As I approach his office, I overhear him and D talking about me in muffled voices. Hesitating, I lick my lips then knock on the open door to grab their attention.

  Two pairs of eyes dart to me, and their conversation ceases.

  “Hi.” Awkwardly, I wave my bandaged hand at them.

  With a laugh, an amused Kingston motions me to come in. “How’d you sleep?”

  My feet pause in their pursuit. Before, I’d been escorted from his office as if I were trespassing, and now I’m being invited inside? I shrug off my confusion and shuffle across the threshold.

  “Better than you. Did you come to bed at all?” If the bags under his eyes are anything to go by, I’d say no.

  “I needed to finish up some stuff and get a game plan together.”

  “And what’s your game plan?”

  D grimaces but doesn’t say anything, leaving Kingston to fill me in. His dark green stare pins me in place before he offers a half-assed apology. “Sorry, Ace, but it’s family business.”

  So help me…I thought we’d already discussed this.

  Feeling a headache building, I rub my temples and squeeze my eyes shut.

  “It’s my life on the line here, remember? No offense, but I think I have a right to know what I’m getting into.”

  I can’t believe he’d even consider keeping me in the dark on this. Does he even know me at all? I can’t help if I don’t know what the plan is.

  “You’ll know what we need you to, I promise. Which reminds me, you’re going to be staying here for a while.”

  My brows furrow, and my annoyance spikes. “What do you mean for a while?”

  “For a long while,” Kingston clarifies. “I can’t keep you safe if you aren’t here, Ace.”

  “Yeah, but if Burlone wanted to do something to me, he would’ve already done it.” I motion to my face. “Exhibit A.”

  I watch as his Adam’s apple bobs up and down in his throat while assessing the damage done to my face. “And it kills me every time I see it.”

  The remorse is clear in his voice, but it doesn’t stop my hackles from rising. I’ve been taking care of myself for as long as I can remember. Yes, I needed his help the other night, and I’m grateful he was willing to step in and take care of me, but I’m not about to uproot my entire life for him. I can’t.

  Taking a deep breath, I explain, “Look, nothing’s going to happen, and if you’re that worried, why don’t you just put a guard on me or something like you mentioned in the past? That’ll fix the problem, and I’ll still be able to do whatever the hell I want. See? Win-win.”

  With a shake of his head, D interjects, “We tried that. Found his body stashed in a dumpster.”

  I gasp, covering my mouth as his words register. “What?”

  I was so certain I’d been alone that night. That if Kingston hadn’t called off my guard, none of this would’ve happened. I didn’t blame him. I just knew something must’ve come up, and he’d assumed I’d be safe. I clutch my chest; my heart feeling as though it’s been splintered at the knowledge that an innocent man is dead. Because of me.

  “We did have a guard tailing you, Ace. We did, and he failed. I can’t let that happen again. I can’t risk that. I can’t risk you.”

  “So, what are you saying?” I whisper, feeling like my entire life is spinning out of control, and I can’t do anything to stop it.

  “I’m saying that you’ll be staying here for a while,” he repeats. His tone brooks no argument, but I can’t help myself.

  “And I don’t get a say in the matter? It might be a shitty apartment, King, but it’s still my home.”

  His jaw appears to be made of stone when he looks me straight in the eye and says, “Not anymore, it’s not.”

  There’s a callousness to his comment that burns. It pisses me off, making me feel like what I want doesn’t matter. And part of me hates him for it. I’m not going to be owned by someone who doesn’t take my feelings into account. In fact, I’m not going to be owned by anyone.

  Looking at D, I plead with my eyes for him to step in. To say something––anything––that will change Kingston’s mind. I’m not ready for my entire life to be turned upside down any more than it already has.

  D shakes his head, then casts his eyes to the ground, sealing my fate.

  Asshole.

  I turn to Kingston and fold my arms in an attempt to contain my anger.

  “Well, do I at least get the chance to grab a few of my things? It’s not like I can wear your wardrobe, King.”

  Lazily, his eyes scan me up and down, taking in his dress shirt he let me borrow last night that reaches my knees.

  “King!” I snap my fingers to get his attention.

  Looking up at me, he smirks.

  “I’m serious. I need to go to my apartment, and I need to talk to one of my friends who will be worried about me if I don’t explain where I am.” King opens his mouth to argue when I cut him off, my eyes shooting daggers at him as I stare him down. “You can’t just lock me up and throw away the key. If you do, then you’re not any better than Burlone.”

  As soon as the insult is thrown, I wish I could take it back. Kingston flinches like my verbal assault is a physical one before turning to D with a blank expression.

  “Help her get her shit from her place, but be back within an hour.” Turning to me, he adds, “If you try anything, I will find you, and I will bring you back here. I don’t care if you’re kicking and screaming the entire way. We’re done playing by your rules. Now, we’re playing by mine.”

  Then he looks down at the paperwork tossed haphazardly across his desk, officially dismissing us. But the guilt and anger tag along too.

  Chapter Three

  Ace

  “Didn’t think you’d have a bitchy side,” D notes as we walk side by side to his car.

  Bristling, I ask, “Excuse me?”

  With a tilt of his chin toward the house, he responds, “That back there? Kinda bitchy.” Somehow, he finds a way to sound amused yet disappointed at the same time. And I might’ve detected a hint of pride too, but maybe that’s wishful thinking on my part.

  When we get to his black sedan, he opens the passenger side, letting me slide in. Before he can close the door, I defend myself. “I wasn’t being bitchy. I was being honest. He doesn’t own me, D.”

  He doesn’t. I’ll never be owned or controlled by anyone again. I refuse to. Even when it hurts someone I’m really starting to care about. Someone who dropped everything to take care of me. Who let me sleep in his bed last night. Who wants to keep me safe.

  Dammit, I’m kind of a bitch for snapping at him.

  With a look of pity, he shakes his head. “Trust me, Ace. He knows that, I know that, and you know that. If anything, I’d say it’s the other way around.” He closes the door before I have a chance to reply then walks around to his side and gets behind the wheel.

  Exasperated, I continue the conversation he’s clearly trying to end. “Then why would he try to use his authority on me like that? He can’t just order me around. It hits too close to home and how I was raised. I won’t step into another relationship like that. I can’t.”

  He starts the car then backs out of the driveway and pulls onto the main street while I anxiously wait for his response.

  “You’re not the only one that was affected by their upbringing, Ace. His mom was murdered when he was a little kid. Collateral damage for a deal gone wrong. After that, his dad locked Regina up, never letting her out of the estate because he was so terrified something would happen to her too. Then he died, and King took over the role as the head of the family. The first thing he did was give Regina some space. He wanted to give her the freedom she was craving and look what happened. She’s been taken too. You can’t blame him for being scared to let you out of his sight.” He glances over at me and scans
my face before turning his eyes back to the road. “Especially when you look like that.”

  Raising my hand, I gingerly touch the inflamed skin, flinching when I put too much pressure on my cheekbone.

  “See what I mean? It doesn’t feel good to have your face beaten to a pulp, and it doesn’t feel good to look at it and know it’s your fault, either.”

  “It’s not his fault,” I argue. “If anything, it’s mine. I shouldn’t have entered that tournament.”

  With a sigh, he gives me the side-eye. “No. You shouldn’t have. Kingston warned you it was a bad idea, but don’t beat yourself up about it. We can’t change the past.”

  “You’re right. We can’t. How did Burlone find out King and I were a thing, though? I thought we’d been careful.” I voice the question out loud as I stare blankly through the passenger window. Then it hits me. Before the tournament, Jack confronted me about my relationship in the middle of Sin, Burlone’s casino. Jack blew Rule #8 into tiny little pieces. Don’t discuss private shit in public. It’s bound to screw you over. And it did.

  Diece’s gruff voice brings me back to the present. “I don’t know how he found out, but it doesn’t really matter now. What matters is keeping you safe. That’s all Kingston is trying to do. Can you cut him a little slack?”