Dirty Little Secrets (Kings of Bolten 1)

Marian gave her the once over and simpered. I rolled my eyes.

“It’s an exciting night,” Sergio proclaimed in his thick Russian accent, grinning at me and Hail.

“Indeed.” David offered Sergio a glass of bourbon.

“Darling, is that nail color really the right choice for you?” Marian sniffed at me as she took in my black nail polish.

“I don’t know, Marian,” I answered back brightly. “The dark lord requested it. And I’m a very bad girl—”

“Bianca,” Mom hissed, a forced smile on her face.

David outright glared at me.

Sergio cleared his throat as he cast Marian a look like he’d stepped in something slimy. “I’m sure Bolten will whip her into shape,” he cleared his throat. “It’s the best of the best.”

“Of course. She’s a little rough around the edges, but Bolten will certainly straighten her out.” David sipped his bourbon, glaring at me over the glass.

“May I be excused?” I started.

The only saving grace was Hail had been silent the entire time.

“Not yet, sweetheart,” Mom laughed. “We have an announcement.”

“We may as well do it now so they can get to know one another better this evening,” Marian added, glancing fondly at Hail.

He shifted beside me.

What the hell was happening? I hope they didn’t want me and Hail to hang out.

“I’m actually busy tonight, so I won’t be able to entertain—” I started once again, but David focused on me, making me snap my mouth closed.

“Bianca, this is important. Your mother and I decided it was best if you take my last name. The process has been completed. I’ve adopted you. You are now a D’Angelou.”

“The hell I am!” I shouted, jumping to my feet. I shot a look at my mother who couldn’t bother to meet my gaze. “How could you?”

It certainly wasn’t the news I was expecting. Not once since I’d known David had he ever expressed an interest in me, other than just being a complete prick at every opportunity.

“Bianca, David is our family now. It only makes sense for you to carry his name.”

“I won’t do it. I refuse.” I folded my arms over my chest and glared at David.

The bastard had the audacity to give me a smile.

“You don’t have a choice. Now sit down. It’s been done. But don’t worry, my sweet daughter. It won’t be your name for long.”

I huffed and sank back down, angry my choice had been taken from me. Furious I’d been in the dark about the entire thing. Outraged that my own mother had allowed it to happen.

“Mikhail.” David finally stopped glaring at me and peered at Hail. “Bianca. Tonight is important. We would’ve thrown a party to celebrate, but it didn’t work out with our schedules being what they are. We’ll mark the occasion another time with a grand celebration.”

My gaze darted between Mom and David, my guts churning.

“We all try to marry into a life of convenience. Whenever possible wealth and influence are the goals,” David started. “I acquired a deal some time ago which needs to be upheld.”

Mom stared down at her hands. Her leg bounced for a moment.

“I saved this family from certain heartache, and as a result, I got a beautiful daughter.” David leveled his gaze on me. “Bianca, I don’t think you know how truly captivating you are. You put the other girls in our circle to shame. The only downfall was that you weren’t one of us. Until now.”

Chills rushed through me as I glanced at Hail who wore a quizzical expression on his face.