His Darkest Need

Dark Duet #1

by Rae B. Lake

Everything my family built has been destroyed, but now it’s time I claim it again.

Laz

My family is known for being cutthroat and ruthless. After all, we’re Diosalvi’s. Though, how fitting it is my father was brought down by his wife and my stepsister.

After he and his wife are killed it’s now my time to rule with an iron fist. Enemies come from near and far, but I’m not my father. My revenge won’t be swift, nor will I show mercy.

I’ve never wanted to harm anyone more than my stepsister, Elora. She will be one of the first to see how far I go, even if she’s pure, forgiving, and incredibly naive. I will play on every want and need this woman has and when she can’t take anymore, I’ll throw her out like trash.

Yet with every tear that slides down her cheeks, it’s growing harder every day for me to let her go.

Genres: Dark, Dark Romance, Enemies To Lovers, BDSM, Adult, Abuse

134 pages, Kindle Edition

First published July 31, 2021

About the author

Rae is a daydreamer, nurse, bookworm, nature enthusiast, wife, momma, animal activist and an optimist. She has lived her entire life in NYC and loves to travel with her family. She believes that sweets should have a larger piece of the nutritional pyramid and that Buffy the Vampire Slayer was one of the best TV shows ever invented. When she is not working as a nurse in her community, she can either be found reading, writing, or taking a walk while listening to music. She has been writing books in her mind for as long as she can remember but decided that maybe there were others out in the world that would find joy in the words she would put down on the page.

Reviews

[Doris · Rating 5 out of 5]

Darkness at its Best!!

Read this book only if you love dark, violent books that will knock your socks off because Laz is all of these things rolled into a man who you would think that he is Satan’s son. Oh, yeah, it’s that good!

Laz has been groomed since he was little. With his father and step mother now dead, he is out to seek vengeance. Who would have thought that his step sister Elora would be by his side to bring justice to their parents’ death? After all the torment she went through at Laz’s hands you would never think where their story would lead. It comes with a crazy cliffhanger that left me wanting for the next book now.

[Lady Raven RAVE! · Rating 4 out of 5]

4⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Style: Dark Crime Family Romance (Very Dark)
Story: 3.90/5
Enjoyment: 4/5
Dark Level: 4/5
Sexual Level: GOOD
Triggers: Yes
Violence: Yes (Extreme)
Male: Sadist, Dark, Vicious & Intense
Series: Book 1 (Cliffhanger)
Pages: loc. 2196
Audio: N/A
Kindle Unlimited: Yes


STORY:
This book is so F@&Ked up it should come with ⚠️ caution tape all over it. However, this is my kind of dark, it’s all kinds of wrong that reads so good. This will not be for everyone as Laz, the main character, is so intense, twisted and dark. He is the anti anti anti hero, the bad guy you try not to cheer for, but can’t help it. Also, just to clarify, he isn’t the I am giving you only intense looks, only speaks threats, and do throat grabbing dark, he is the spawn of the devil that’s how bad he is. So again, read at your own risk. This has a mafia mixed with step brother and step sister with an enemies to lovers theme. With all these combine, it gave me a good read.

What I like about this author so far with what I’ve read, she dives right in to her stories. You don’t feel anxiety waiting for build up. The story starts with showing 3 different stages of Laz’s life, bringing us to his present. He is groomed to take over from his father and for Laz, the more vicious he is, he believes the more feared he will be and not to appear as weak as his father. Elora is a beauty and definitely not weak, but still fears Laz’s sadist side at times. Although this is the first half of the story, their relationship evolves where they started giving me Bonnie and Clyde vibes.



SEXUAL CHEMISTRY:
Sex scene was good a little twisted, but good. Throughout the story, Laz has a fetish for blood, so use your imagination. Laz’s scenes with any sexual encounters will not be for everyone.


SECONDARY CHARACTERS:
There were interesting characters. Mateo stood out to me, but not to where I want to see his own story. Andrew Mancetti stood out as well. But with all the betrayal, let’s see what the second half of the book brings.



OVERALL:
Very dark and twisted read. So far, from what I’ve read, this is the author’s darkest book yet for me, and she has my attention. The kill scenes and violence are extremely graphic, and I am up for part 2.



TRIGGERS: extreme trigger warning, graphic killings, violence, extreme blood play, blood fetish. Basically, it’s like 4th of July fire works of triggers so read at your own risk.


****I don’t equate these stories to real life. It’s about personal taste and what you would or want to tolerate with the books you read. I know we all have different opinions and preferences with what we read. I based my book reviews on my preferences and what I like, and while these preferences may not be the same for others, I hope this review was still helpful.

Booksprout

[Lissa Smith Reads'~A Bookaholics Bookshelf · Rating 4 out of 5]

Rated
4 Stars ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Kindle Unlimited Read

[Oriana Reads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy heck that was a wild and dark story😍😍 Laz the freaking blood thirsty killer that hated his stepsister but in the end fell for her hard and fast. This dark, gritty and kind of brutal mafia story was so captivating and action filled I couldn't put it away... until I finished it. And the end.... Holy heck Can't wait for the next story 👍👍👍 Dark dark romance.... but so so good.
TW:blood, knife play, torture, bullying and dub con

[E Loprete · Rating 5 out of 5]

A Riveting Dark Violent Romance that will hold your attention completely! Rae, you never cease to amaze your readers with your caliber of writing especially with your latest storyline.... His Darkest Need (Dark Duet)#1 in this new series, is a dark, violent and disturbing Mafia story that is raw and gritty boarding on the lines of sadistic!.... Laz Diosalvi is a ruthless violent killer in line to take over the Diosalvi Family from his father. Laz's bloodlust started when he was seven years old when his ruthless father forced him to make his first kill which set the stage of his violent need for death and blood that excites and arouses him. Laz is a dangerous man who has no filter with the feelings he has for his stepmother and daughter Elora and tries to make his father see that he has turned weak by his marriage. Can Laz make him see that he has become vulnerable to his enemies? Elora is a beautiful young woman who has a fiery temper and with all of the abuse Laz hands her way she is able to stand her ground with him and finds that she is attracted to him, but Laz who believes he hates her does all he can to torment her until he finds he wants her. Now she is thrown into his world when the compound is attacked killing her mother and Laz's father leaving Laz seeking his revenge in a swift deadly manner. Now his enemy as well as traitors within his family are gathering to make a stand, Laz has to find out who is the person who sold out his family, and now has to deal with Andrew Mancetti who has plans of his own to take out the Diosalvi family. With the latest threat by Andrew, Laz will take the one thing he wants for himself, Elora to show the other families that he is in control and able to head the Diosalvi family and finds he will need a woman by his side so he can begin to claim everything that was taken from him. When Laz and Elora come together the union is raw, bloody, violent and erotic as Laz will discover that Elora has a deadly side to her to match his own personality as well as a cunning brilliant mind. Will Elora keep Laz's secret as she promised him or will she use it to her advantage? This story had so many twists and turns and battle of wills between Laz and Elora when Laz informs Elora his plans to wed her. Will Laz be able to give in to Elora's demand and give her up after the three years? What part will Elora play in this battle for honor and dominance within the families as she emerges just as cold blooded and dangerous as Laz as she proves to him she is a true Queen to stand by his side as hate turns into a craving that both of them will no longer deny. Now we are blindsided with a gripping cliffhanger as we are left stunned wondering who will survive. Darkest Need is not for the faint of heart, but if you are a fan of Rae B. Lake's, I encourage you to read this story! Rae you have out done yourself with this dark, decadent new series!

[Dee · Rating 5 out of 5]

The addition starts with the book cover….yeah…yeah…yeah don’t judge a book by its cover they say ….well we all do it and this one here it is the scratch to your itch or better yet the filling to your oreos! Speaking of filling…..wait, that’s for later. Within the first chapters you get the panoramic view of whom you’re dealing with!
Bad boy….check
Bod boy’s crazy brother/friend…check
Bad boy’s Kryptonie…check ….check and check
By the time you’ve figured out who is who and what is what, you’re already hooked, and you may as well give up the fight and prepare yourself for an all-nighter!
This is book is part of the Dark Duet series why just read one when you can start at the beginning and keep reading through the series it won’t be a waste of time. Okay talk about dark, violent, disturbing (sort of good way), sadistic and so much more. Laz is a sexy as all get out broken man starting from childhood when his father made him kill thus turning him into the sick and violent man who gets excited and drunk on the blood, he spills so he is murderous man his father trained him to be. Laz do not/never have liked his stepmother or his stepsister, but will he be able to show his father the stepmother means him no good and she is his weakness. Elora the stepsister who has taken a lot from her brother, he has dished some stuff that would break an average girl, but Elora is strong, stands her ground most of the time and really likes him. Laz on the other hand tells himself that he hates her, torments her to convince himself of this hate but his heart is saying something totally different than his actions. An attack on them leaves both Laz and Elora without their parent but that is enough to bring out the man his father groomed him to be getting revenge in one of the deadliest bloodbaths. He going to force Elora to be his so that he can take what his father left for him showing that he is capable of being the head of the Diosalvi family. But what he didn’t count on is Elora being the female copy of him she is just as equally crazy, with a deadly side to her and she is cunning, smart as all get out, she is the flip side of him in female form. So, when secrets are exposed will she leave him hanging by exposing him to everyone are will she guard his secrets? A war (not a war but a test of the wills) between Laz and Elora when he tells her he is going to marry her, but she has stipulations or conditions if you will be marring him. She wants her freedom after a few years of helping him, but will she really walk away especially when she enjoys the bloodshed, violence, and control just as much as he does? So, buckle up this is a wild, wild, wild ride with twist & turns, ups & downs, around in circles backward & forward and the think I hate most about this is that IT ENDS ON A CLIFFHANGER (yep yelled that out of pure frustration …oh and wanting to know where they are headed) so buckle up you’ve been warned.

[TinaMarie · Rating 4 out of 5]

3.5 of 5 stars

Lazarus 'Laz' Diosalvi is the son of Don Diosalvi. He was blooded at seven, killing a traitorous uncle. He did it with certainty and conviction killing a traitor, reveling in spilling blood. From that point on blood and death has become his addiction.

When Elora was thirteen her mother married the Don and she thought she was entering a fairytale. Instead, she faced years of torment and hatred from her stepbrother, but it didn't stop her from spying on him.

When his father brings a new wife and step-sister into his home he's bitter and resentful and enjoys tormenting the sweet and pure Elora. He thinks her mother made his father weak and vulnerable and wants to punish her for it. When both of their parents are killed, they must work together to find the traitors and rebuild or risk losing everything.

Their story is brutal, this is not a pretty love story and our psychopath enemies-to-lovers are both turned on by blood and death. I found it hard to like either character, but I kept turning the page to find out what they were going to do next.

This is the first part of a duet and the ending is a cliffhanger but the second book has already been released so there is no waiting if you want to find out how it all ends.

This story includes scenes that may be difficult for some readers due to violence, abuse and sexual practices. Read at your own discretion. More than a few times I questioned my sanity reading their story. It's very dark and bloody and fits well within the Dark Fiction genre. There were a few editing issues and spots where actions didn't reconcile with events that distracted me from their story. I thought it was better than an okay read but I'm not sure I liked it, hence the 3.5 rating.

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[Coastie Mom · Rating 5 out of 5]

OMG – talk about some darkness! The author’s description of some of these scenes literally had my stomach in knots! I could not put my kindle down while I was reading and I just had to know what was going to happen.

This is the story of Laz and Elora. Laz is dark, dangerous, crazy, ruthless and a monster. He gets off on seeing other people bleed (more like making them bleed). Elora is the younger step-sister who always got on Laz’s nerves – she is quiet and curious, yet she has a darker side to herself as well. Only she is unaware of this side until tragedy strikes. Laz and Elora cannot stand each other and have never gotten along. But what happens when the two of them have to work together to find out who is trying to destroy his empire? You get a psychopath and an Ice queen. They make a great team together and get off on each other’s darkness. This book is full of darkness, deception, betrayal, revenge, lust, passion, danger, tragedy, and a few steamy scenes. I cannot wait for the next book to come out! Great story with great characters. I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Daisy Sauceda · Rating 5 out of 5]

**Trigger warning violence**

His Darkest Need By Rae B Lake is amazing. I man if you are looking for a dark and twisted book, Rae will never fail you. So here we have Laz who is the son of a big time mafia family. His dad is one mean sob. He has no heart and he is always about business. He has been raising Laz so one day when it is time for him to take over, he will be just a ruthless. Then one day everything changes when his father remarried. So now there is a step mom and step sister. This is not good. So Elora is his step sister and she seems to be intrigued by him. Unfortunately she sees the evil side of him and he has no qualms letting her see what he can do. However, she does see what his father can do as well. She knows what his father has planned for her. She knows that she is a pawn. Then disaster hits, Las and Elora are now on the same path and things get crazy. How will Laz feel about all this? Will Elora let him continue being a jerk to her or throw it back at him. Read this to find out.

[Opasan Ouprie · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is a very dark and violent book. If you cannot handle such violence and blood then this won't be one you want to read. He is the son of the head of his mafia family. She is his stepsister. These two have way more in comment than either knew. After their parents are killed these two have to come together to help one another to take the family back. She just has one condition that in three years he lets her go. Agreeing to that since he does not love her this should not be a problem right These two work together to find out who has torn their family away from them. There are twists and turns in this story that will have you on the edge of your seat. It is left in a cliffhanger so be prepared for book two to find out more.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Kelly Gregory · Rating 4 out of 5]

I really liked this story, it has some very dark themes and scenes, but it really worked in the overall plot! I admit at times i found it really hard to find any redeemable qualities in the MMC Laz. He was cruel and dangerous and came across as the villain, rather than an anti-hero, but i'm glad to say as the plot progressed i did start to warm to him (well only a little bit). It really makes a pleasant change to see an author fully commit to such a dark and violent story.

There are plenty of twists and turns in the plot, with loads of action, and betrayals..........so i cant wait to see what happens in the next book!!

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Phyllis Wolford · Rating 5 out of 5]

In this book Ms.Lake, brings a monster, a little bit of humanity, instead of just hate.
Laz, is a stone cold psycho killer and in his world his step mother and step sister has changed his family from strong to weak. To him they are a danger to the family, but not knowing that the danger is closer then he thinks and its not them and already there waiting.
Lora, has hidden depths to her that no-one ever thought she’d have. She is an Ice Queen, with a heart of stone.
When Laz and Alora band together to find out who killed their parents. they make an unbeatable team, but then some of their hate starts to turn to love and lust, and slowly respect.
The cliff hanger is gonna drive you crazy waiting for them next one, but so worth it.

[Rita · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow the book blowed my mind, it is not an stand alone it ends on cliffhanger but this book is amazing, the characters are built perfectly no flaws, makes you go deep in a mind that I would dare to say psychopath, it show Lazarus thirsty for blood and shows how Elora becomes from a little mouse afraid of everything to some mafia ice queen seeking revenge over her mother’s death. Shows Laz transition feelings from hate to admiration and confidence on Elora…can’t wait to see what comes next, looks like someone very close to them have betrayed their trust. I loved the book, it hooks you up, is clever , is emotional and even has hot scenes.. loved it

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[GKP2460 · Rating 5 out of 5]

Oh my goodness, Rae B Lake has  created a very, very, dark bad boy! His Darkest Needs is not a book for the faint of heart. It's a very dark read.
Laz Diosalvi is a monster in the making as a child. His father has dumped things on him that no child should be privy to yet, Laz takes to it like a moth to a flame. Elora is Laz's stepsister. He's really had no use for her or her mother Annette but, as time passes this changes. He finds a very dark and dirty use for Elora after all. This journey will keep you guessing and wondering what's next and somehow it's never what you expect. Book 1 in this duet has been quite an experience and I'll be anxiously awaiting book 2.

[Debs · Rating 4 out of 5]

Readers are warned that Lazarus and Elora's story is a dark romance. As others have said, there are triggers and there is nothing in their story that is light or fluffy. What I really liked was that the La Familia Diosalvi family looked like what they were portrayed as, a mafia family. I love everything that Rae B. Lake writes, but this one took me a bit longer to read. Not sure if it was because it took me a while to warm up to Lazarus or something else, but as it is a two part story, I do want to see a resolution between Lazarus and Elora. **I was gifted "His Darkest Need" via Bookspout leaving my review based on my reading. 3.75 Stars

[Nikki · Rating 4 out of 5]

This was my first read by this author and I've quickly downloaded book 2 for this duet as I can't wait to jump in straight away!
Laz is the son of a Mafia boss and is biding his time to take over... when his dad brings home a new wife and step daughter things begin to change and Laz struggles with not having his dad staying on top where he should be.
When things take a tragic turn its up to Laz and Elora to find who's with them and who's against them.
Gripping, fast paced, and full of blood, gore and darkness this book had me loving each and every word.
Glad I waited for book 2 to be out so I could jump in after it leaves us on a !
*Read as part of KU*

[Merry Jelks-Emmanuel · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is one of Rae's darkest stories yet! Laz is a ruthless man and rightfully so considering he did his first kill as a child on the order of his father. From their he only morphed into something worse. After coming home from school to learn of his father's marriage he really went on the deep end. Someone from within had planned the demise of the Diosalvi’s and upon it Laz got his chance to step into his father's shoes but it is short lived. Has the Diosalvi's family really come to an end and will Elora become the property of someone else?

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Jenni · Rating 5 out of 5]

When Lazs father remarried, he gained not only gained a stepmum but a step sister too in Elora, and their troubles were only just beginning, Laz was a killer at a young age no thanks to his father but it unleashed a monster within, and when his father and his wife are killed he steps up into his father's shoes. But for how long? And what will become of Elora? Well written darkly twisting tale filled with action, suspense, desires and more! This book ends on a cliff hanger

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Shirley Holt · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow. Boy do I hate cliffhangers but this one was a doozey. Cannot wait for the next one. This book was full of violence, twists and turns, who do you trust and the storyline was not one I have read before. How these characters are ever going to at least be civil to one another is a mystery yet to be solved. A really super read and very inaginative writing. Kept me engrossed all the way through because quite frankly I didn't know what was coming next. A super recommended read.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[John Smith · Rating 5 out of 5]

Wow, This was a fabulous book, it was written well and the characters were incredible.
This mafia romance between Laz and Elora. What happened to their parents? they were enemies and now they are becoming friends. Elora challenges Laz every time and makes him see the bigger picture instead of what is in front of him. Alora, has hidden depths to her that no-one ever thought she’d have. She is an Ice Queen, with a heart of stone.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Laurenreadsx_ · Rating 4 out of 5]

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Ok wow, this was crazy. Laz really was psychotic! I loved how badass Elora became! The cliffhanger ending had me gasping! Like I didn’t expect it but then once I finished it it made sense.

My only downside was I felt like we jumped a big part where they actually started to get along, like one minute she fully despised him and the next she was basically in love. It would of been nice to see them working together more to get to that connect.

Overall I cannot wait for the next one to see what happens!!

[Billie Jo W. · Rating 4 out of 5]

His Darkest Need

Wow! Here there be psychos. Laz is not the lovable psycho you fall for. No he will have your blood boiling. You may want to run away screaming. Sweet Elora is more then meets the eye. She is a queen fit to help run this cutthroat kingdom alongside her king. These two were made for each other. Enemies are everywhere and they all want to bring an end to the Diosalvi rule. This was a wonderfully dark read. Thank goodness book 2 is out because that was one hell of a cliffhanger.

[Suzanne · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a huge fan of this author. I have read many of her books. This book is unlike any that I have read from her before. I have mixed feelings about it. On one hand it’s a love story, but on the other they’re both psychopaths. The story was well developed. Characters were completely believable. Frighteningly so. This book will stay with me for a while. Read all of the trigger warnings. Every single one is true. I don’t have any triggers but this is a dark book.

I am leaving a voluntary, honest review for which I received this book.

[Angelica Andersson · Rating 5 out of 5]

This one is very dark, raw and violent. Laz is a troubled person that grew up with violence and he had to kill at a young age and he gets turned on by it.

This book is a mafia romance that is very dark and I would say twisted. But it's a good one and I can't wait to see what happens next cause it did ended in an cliffhanger that makes me want more and I really want to see what will be up next for Laz.

[Cody Marie Phoenix · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is so heavy and dark it took me more time than usual to read it. Lazarus is definitely a product of his up bringing and once things head south with La Familia Diosalvi, Elora falls down the same bunny hole. Please adhere to Dad's trigger warnings as there is a lot of violence and fetish play involved, but still an entertaining story.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

Holy what a read this was! I couldn't stop once I started even if I wanted to. Twists and turns I definitely wasnt expecting at all. Laz and Elora step brother and sister have always hated each other, but it seems it was more than hate they tormented each other. When it seems they are the only ppl they can trust is each other, this is where the read gets really twisted and soooo good! I can't not wait for more

[Mylene Williams · Rating 4 out of 5]

Laz and Elora have been sworn enemies since teenagers, but there is something else lurking deep between them. They have not identified it. Yet as young adults Elora seems to have sparked the attention of other males. Is she to become a tool or prize for the others to use? or is she now Laz's special toy to destroy? If you like mafia books and all that it entails, then this a book for you.

I received a free copy of this book via Booksprout and am voluntarily leaving a review.

[Tammy · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the first book in this dark duet. Laz’s family is known for its ruthlessness and when his father is killed, he takes control of the family. He plans to take revenge on those who betrayed his family and he plans on taking his step-sister and using her but what will happen when he begins to fall for her? Fast-paced read with loads of drama, twists and turns and intense chemistry. I was hooked from beginning to end. I loved it!

[Bonnie Mancuso · Rating 5 out of 5]

RIVITING!!!
His Darkest Need is a dark, compelling story designed around intriguing characters that are extremely well-written. Rae B Lake sure knows how to weave a dark, gritty tale. His Darkest Need isn't your average, sweet love story. No, this story is gripping and anxious. It's raw and unapologetic. It's one of my top 5 reads this year. I'm anxiously awaiting Her Darkest Gift. I can't wait to see where this story goes. This is one dark duet you don't want to pass up.

[Melissa · Rating 4 out of 5]

This book is so crazy and it has lots of description about blood 🩸 so read at your own risk ⛔️. This book is dark but not that dark in my opinion as I’ve read worse & nothing bothers me anymore 😂. Can we say both MCS were crazy and they truly deserved each other . One thing that shocked me was how Ellora changed after her mother’s death 💀 from being shy & silent to deadly in a minute …it was too much tbh..I was like how ..when…omg plzz this is too much 😒. Anyway going to read the next book 📖