Bennett Mafia by
Tijan
My rating:
4 of 5 stars
I was provided an ARC via the author in exchange for an honest review. This was released today March 4, 2019.
I think this is the first mafia book I've ever read, and I really enjoyed it. Tijan really knows how to write couple storylines and this one took me through so many ups and downs. This is dark and gritty, and really takes you down into the bowels of what one would expect a mafia family to have to deal with day in and day out. This is a bit on the violent side so if that isn't your cup of tea, be warned.
On one hand we have Riley, daughter of a corporate power-broker with a mean streak and penchant for violence. Riley was sent away to boarding school at a young age as a protective measure, while at school she met and befriended Brooke. Brook Bennett is a mafia princess, and eventually her older brother becomes head of the family and she leaves school and Riley behind. Riley finds herself reunited with the Bennett family years later after Brooke goes missing and older brother Kai thinks Riley can help locate her. Kai's methods are a bit unconventional, but considering he's a mob boss his actions aren't really out of the ordinary. Kai is the most powerful mafia boss in the business, but he has a weak spot when it comes to Riley. He will do anything to protect his family and anyone he cares for.
This book had several twists and turns and kept me guessing as I read. I always like to guess what's going to happen next and love when I don't see something coming. The romance aspect of this book was really well done. Kai and Riley were enemies to lovers, and many times Riley expressed how she didn't want to like him but she couldn't deny the attraction to him. Their story unfolds as the plot unfolds as they really don't have much of a backstory to tell, they only met once or twice briefly in passing. There are many steamy scenes between them but their emotional connection takes quite some time to build and feel genuine.
This is a standalone for now, but I'm hoping we get more books about the side characters. I would really like to get to know the other brothers as well as Brooke, and Riley's friends. They each brought something to the story. I enjoyed the characters, everytime I rolled my eyes at Riley for doing something "weak", she surprised me by doing something unexpected and strong. Kai was nothing other than what he presented himself to be, a brutal, powerful mafia lord, who will do anything to protect his loved ones.
Excerpt
I woke in a bed with the softest sheets I’d ever felt, and drool. So much drool.
It took a second for me to catch up, but once I did, I bolted upright with a gasp.
It was pitch-black outside.
Glass doors. The same modern bedroom with an entire apartment just beyond the doorway and the soft glow of a light on in the other room.
I was in Kai Bennett’s room, in his bed.
Could I close my eyes, go back to sleep, and wake up in Oz? Was that an option? I’d take it in a second if so.
The sound of a page turning came from the next room. Then I heard a chair push back.
Soft footsteps came until he stood in the doorway.
The light was on behind him, casting him in full shadow, so I couldn’t see any details except his very trim and toned silhouette.
Why’d someone so evil have to be that good looking?
“Why’d you take me?” I shifted to a sitting position, pulling the sheets around me and noting that I was in a different shirt and wore boxer briefs over my underwear. He’d changed my clothes.
That was low on the list of problems, but… “Where are my clothes?”
He let out a soft and tired-sounding sigh. “You stumbled going into your room and hit your head. My brother didn’t notice the blood trickling down your back, but my guards did. They alerted me.” He nodded. “Your clothes were bloody. They had to be changed.”
Now that he mentioned it, my head was pounding.
I touched the back of my head and hissed, feeling a large bruise. The fact that I hadn’t noticed that spoke volumes. I was too consumed by everything else.
And speaking of that, on to my second question. “What do you know about 411?”
He answered without hesitation, crossing his arms over his chest and propping one shoulder against the doorframe. “I know they helped hide you and your mother. I know they’re relatively new, but they’re effective. They have heavy funders backing them, and I know they set up one man for murder, who is now in prison. I know your employers might mean well right now, but they are dangerous.”
I blinked a few times, taking that in.
I winced on the inside when he mentioned the frame job. That had been an operative who went rogue, but no one fought to defend the guy.
I scowled. “He tried to murder his wife.”
“But he didn’t.”
I snorted. “You’re sticking up for the one slightly innocent monster? You?”
Watch your tone, Riley. You forget who you’re talking to.
I could hear my mother’s voice admonishing me, and I bit my lip as soon as the words were out. It was too late, though. I waited, watching to see if this infamous murdering monster would come toward me now.
He didn’t move, just murmured, “You are not a good enough fighter to speak like that to me.”
That same shiver went up my back. There was a deadly warning in there too.
I swallowed over a lump. “I’m sorry.”
But was I? Was I really?
He had murdered. Cord. His father. Brooke?
I frowned. “You’re looking for Brooke? That’s why you kidnapped me?”
“Among other reasons, yes.” He lifted his head again, straightening from the doorframe and taking a step toward me. Just one step—enough to be imposing, slightly intimidating, but still giving me space to breathe so I didn’t scare away.
He was so measured, so calculating.
“My sister contacted you the day before yesterday. I want to know where she is.”
All the oxygen left the room, and my head started spinning again. “You think—what? No.”
“Yes.” His voice was hard now. Gone was the subtlety. “Brooke asked me to keep tabs on you. She cares about you. You work for a network that specializes in helping people disappear, and I know she was desperate. She went to you; I know this much.”
He took another step toward me.
I sat up straighter, rolling to my knees and then to my heels, ready to spring if I needed to.
Another step.
He squatted next to the bed so he was level with me, and now I could see him. He’d shifted out of the shadows, and I saw how fierce his eyes were. They blazed with anger and determination.
His perfect lips barely moved as he grated out, “You will tell me where she is.”
I swallowed again. The lump in my throat had doubled in size.
He wasn’t going to take no, but I had to try. “Before I saw your sister on the news, I hadn’t really heard much from her since you drove her away from Hillcrest. I swear to you that’s the truth.”
His eyes narrowed. “I know you know where she is, but don’t worry. If you won’t tell me, I know others who will.” He stood abruptly and went back to the main room.
I scrambled out of bed and padded after him.
I wasn’t prepared for what I saw. I don’t think anyone could’ve been.
I thought he had been reading a book, maybe looking over files for his business. I’d been sleeping in his bed, and he was waiting with a glass of wine beside a fire. Something cozy like that.
I was so wrong.
As I got to the doorway, I saw them, and someone started screaming.
It was me.
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