Serpent King's Bride: A Dark Mafia Romance Trilogy

Istood before the full-length mirror in Nathan’s bedroom, a sanctuary of dark woods and muted tones that belied the chaos of our lives. My reflection showed a woman transformed: hair swept into an elegant updo, secured by a comb of silver and pearl—a stark contrast to the life I had known. A bold red lip painted my mouth, an armor of sensuality for the night ahead, while smoky eyes promised secrets and whispered of danger.

This was…weird. I was used to going undercover, but this felt like I was getting ready to go to a Halloween party–not my Triad initiation.

The green velvet dress clung to my curves, its color a deep forest hue that could hide bloodstains as easily as it could command attention. The high neck added a touch of class, but the slit up my thigh was a brazen hint at the power of femininity I was only just beginning to wield. I told myself that tonight, this was who I was.

Tonight, I wasn’t just Abby Harper; I was a siren about to sing her way into the heart of the Triad.

But there was discord in this carefully curated image. My fingers danced over the array of jewelry laid out on the dresser, each piece a symphony of silver, pearl, diamond, and emerald—except one. The gold necklace Nathan had clasped around my neck weeks ago glared against the rest of my attire, a stubborn reminder of something that he had yet to let me remove.

I didn’t want to ask him to remove it, either. He’d already done so much for me. I didn’t want him to be insulted by the suggestion of it.

Every other adornment fell effortlessly into place, reflecting the cool, metallic sheen I’d aimed for, but not that necklace. It was a gilded shackle, a reminder of Nathan’s claim over me, yet part of me treasured it more than any other jewel. The idea of asking him to unlock it, to remove even this small symbol of his possession, twisted my insides. So, I let it lie against my skin, a hidden mismatch in a night that demanded perfection.

“Abby, chill,” I chided myself softly. “This is bigger than some damn necklace.” But as much as I tried to steel myself for the initiation, the weight of the gold felt heavier than ever—a tangible representation of the web of loyalty and deception that ensnared me. Nathan’s world was one of unspoken rules and veiled truths, and I was about to promise myself to it, come hell or high water.

The door to the bathroom creaked open, and I caught a glimpse of Nathan in the mirror. He emerged like a tempest’s eye—calm but deadly. His black suit was tailored to perfection, hugging his broad shoulders and the lean lines of his muscular frame. The emerald green tie he chose was the only hint of color against the starkness of his attire, a silent nod to the power he wielded as the Serpent’s Fang.

His hair, black as a raven’s wing, was slicked back with precision, not a strand out of place. A neatly trimmed beard contoured his jawline, enhancing the sharp angles of his face. Brown eyes, usually shrouded in mystery, held a flicker of something softer when they met my reflection.

“Looking sharp,” I murmured, unable to stop a small smile from playing on my lips despite the nerves gnawing at me.

Nathan’s response was a half-smile that didn’t quite reach his eyes, but it warmed me more than any full-fledged grin could. He closed the distance between us in a few smooth strides, and I watched in the mirror as he came to stand behind me, his hands finding their way to my hips with an ease born of familiarity.

“Ready?” His voice was low, a rumble that vibrated through his chest and into my back where his body lined up with mine.

“Almost,” I replied, trying to sound more confident than I felt. Nathan’s presence was disarming, and I found myself leaning back ever so slightly, seeking the reassurance of his solid form against me.

“Good,” he said, his thumbs tracing small circles over the fabric of my dress. “Because tonight, you’ll be the one everyone is watching. And Abby, you look beautiful.”

I couldn’t help but notice the hint of dissatisfaction in his tone.

“What’s wrong?” I asked.

“Your look—it’s not quite complete.” His fingers trailed up my sides and converged at my throat, gentle yet unyielding. The cool metal of the necklace chilled my skin for a moment before his deft touch released the clasp.

The weight of the collar that had been a constant around my neck vanished, and I instinctively reached up, feeling the sudden absence. My eyes were locked on the mirror, watching Nathan’s reflection as he let the previous symbol of possession—a stark, silver chain—slip through his fingers to the floor with a soft thud.

“Wait—“ I began, but my question evaporated as he retrieved something new from his pocket.

In his hands now was a necklace of white gold, its chain delicate and leading down to a pendant that caught the light with an almost mischievous glint. The diamond at its center was ensnared by emerald scales, a snake in mid-coil. It was mesmerizing, dangerous, and undeniably beautiful.

With reverent care, Nathan draped the necklace around my neck, securing it with a click softer than a whisper. No lock followed. The realization sent a wave of relief mixed with an unexpected surge of power through me. I was not tethered; I could feel the potential thrumming beneath my skin, a freedom I hadn’t anticipated.

“Better,” he murmured, approval lacing his voice as he admired his handiwork reflected back at us. “Now you’re truly breathtaking.”

I watched us both in the mirror, his dark eyes meeting mine in the glass. There was no lock, no claim of ownership—just a gift, a sign of trust. Or perhaps a challenge. Whatever it was, it sent a jolt straight to my pussy.

“Are you sure about this?” I asked, the weight of the delicate chain around my neck a stark contrast to the gravity of the situation at hand.

Nathan’s eyes didn’t waver as he met my gaze in the mirror. “Yes,” he said, and his confidence was like a physical force. “I wanted a necklace to match your ring if I’m going to show you off.” His voice held a shadow of possessiveness that sent a thrill through me.

His lips, already so close to my skin, ghosted over my neck…then his tongue flicked out, grazing my pulse. The kiss was a brand, igniting a fire that coiled deep in my belly. I melted back into him, feeling the tense lines of his muscled body behind mine. He might have gotten rid of my collar, but with this kiss, he was making sure I belonged to him.

And I loved it.

He pulled away from me and I immediately moaned, protesting the absence of his touch on me. “Nathan…”

“You’re supposed to be preparing yourself for the task at hand, not getting distracted,” he said, a smile on his face.