
Dark Ruler
The Bennett Duet, Book 1
Failed to add items
Add to Cart failed.
Add to Wish List failed.
Remove from wishlist failed.
Adding to library failed
Follow podcast failed
Unfollow podcast failed
$0.99/mo for the first 3 months

Buy for $19.46
No default payment method selected.
We are sorry. We are not allowed to sell this product with the selected payment method
-
Narrated by:
-
Joy Beharie
-
Tom Haire
-
By:
-
Xavier Neal
About this listen
I was raised to be a ruler of two worlds.
One with a pen.
One with a knife.
Be the king of the concrete jungle at all costs.
I should've simply taken a queen, not courted one.
I should've forced her submission, not earned it.
I should've let respect be enough, not fall in love.
Someone has made a grave mistake in coming for my company.
For my throne.
For my Mia Bella.
And for that, they will not only meet the man I was raised to become, but the one I am now, for the only woman I will ever bow to.
Warning: This book is part one of a duet. It does end on a cliff-hanger.
©2020 Xavier Neal (P)2022 Pink Flamingo ProductionsListeners also enjoyed...
-
Dima
- Filthy Rich Alphas
- By: Kenya Wright
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Tim Paige
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dima rules the North of Paradise—a city for the darkest alphas. The only gangster heaven on Earth. Due to his unique talent for capturing brutal enemies, he also heads the Diamond Syndicate with other Paradise Mafia Kings. However, a serial killer has come to Paradise. And this sicko is targeting top Syndicate members. And Dima is having a challenging time finding the killer due to a sexy reporter constantly getting in his damn way.
-
-
Pretty good
- By Angelino on 01-05-23
By: Kenya Wright
-
Her Marine Next Door
- By: Aliyah Burke
- Narrated by: Lauren Rose
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My next door neighbor Parker Jax is not my type. He's covered in tats, rides a motorcycle, and his parties keep me up all night. The fact he's sexy as sin doesn't change the fact we are oil and water.
-
-
Underwhelming
- By Jeff Oliveira on 08-13-23
By: Aliyah Burke
-
Camelot Misfits MC, Books 1-3
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Antonio Turner
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From USA Today best-selling author Xavier Neal comes a dark, edge of your seat, suspense-filled motorcycle club romance featuring a tortured hero's return home and a feisty female he'll do anything in the world to save...
-
-
Best as bundle
- By Nic S on 05-21-23
By: Xavier Neal
-
Waylon: Angel and the Ruthless Reaper
- Book 1 of the Waylon Duet: Ruthless MC, Book 1
- By: Theodora Taylor
- Narrated by: Clementine Dove
- Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since aging out of the foster care system and becoming a nurse, all I dreamed of was marrying a nice doctor and moving to a two-story house in the suburbs. So how did a dangerous biker gang criminal end up handcuffed to my bed? And why did I agree to let that animal teach me how to...ahem...do things. Wicked things. In the very same bed he’s been handcuffed to in order to keep me safe? Long story. And I’m truly scared to find out how it will end.
-
-
Only half the story…
- By Rabid Reader on 06-27-22
By: Theodora Taylor
-
Bulletproof
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Alan Carlson
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The assignment is simple. Don't let the client die. Don't let her get kidnapped. Don't sleep with her. It's the last part that unexpectedly complicates things for me after I'm introduced to the most beautiful and brilliant woman I could've ever envisioned. And it only gets worse when we have to stash ourselves away in a small town where our calculated cover is to be a recently engaged couple. My new mission is now significantly harder. After all, my job isn't to love my boss' sister. It's to stop an unidentified threat from taking her - or die trying.
-
-
Opposites attract!
- By RACHEL REED on 05-07-22
By: Xavier Neal
-
Saving Silver
- The Draak Legacy, Book 1
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Mooreghan Martin, Oliver Highpoint
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I swear, one minute I'm dozing off during the night shift—don't judge me—and the next I'm being told I'm Fate Mated to an ancient dragon. An ancient dragon I couldn't help but save when he woke me up out of the aforementioned slumber—again, don't judge me. Now this same ancient dragon is doing everything he can to win me over, because it's up to me whether or not he'll live the rest of his life in agony or bliss. Oh, and let's not forget the fact we're being chased by elves, working with a grumpy Griffin, and have to rescue some poor dragon before an evil corporation kills it.
-
-
Z and Dae
- By Kylie on 07-14-22
By: Xavier Neal
-
Dima
- Filthy Rich Alphas
- By: Kenya Wright
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Tim Paige
- Length: 11 hrs and 51 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Dima rules the North of Paradise—a city for the darkest alphas. The only gangster heaven on Earth. Due to his unique talent for capturing brutal enemies, he also heads the Diamond Syndicate with other Paradise Mafia Kings. However, a serial killer has come to Paradise. And this sicko is targeting top Syndicate members. And Dima is having a challenging time finding the killer due to a sexy reporter constantly getting in his damn way.
-
-
Pretty good
- By Angelino on 01-05-23
By: Kenya Wright
-
Her Marine Next Door
- By: Aliyah Burke
- Narrated by: Lauren Rose
- Length: 7 hrs and 42 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My next door neighbor Parker Jax is not my type. He's covered in tats, rides a motorcycle, and his parties keep me up all night. The fact he's sexy as sin doesn't change the fact we are oil and water.
-
-
Underwhelming
- By Jeff Oliveira on 08-13-23
By: Aliyah Burke
-
Camelot Misfits MC, Books 1-3
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Antonio Turner
- Length: 14 hrs and 17 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
From USA Today best-selling author Xavier Neal comes a dark, edge of your seat, suspense-filled motorcycle club romance featuring a tortured hero's return home and a feisty female he'll do anything in the world to save...
-
-
Best as bundle
- By Nic S on 05-21-23
By: Xavier Neal
-
Waylon: Angel and the Ruthless Reaper
- Book 1 of the Waylon Duet: Ruthless MC, Book 1
- By: Theodora Taylor
- Narrated by: Clementine Dove
- Length: 3 hrs and 50 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Since aging out of the foster care system and becoming a nurse, all I dreamed of was marrying a nice doctor and moving to a two-story house in the suburbs. So how did a dangerous biker gang criminal end up handcuffed to my bed? And why did I agree to let that animal teach me how to...ahem...do things. Wicked things. In the very same bed he’s been handcuffed to in order to keep me safe? Long story. And I’m truly scared to find out how it will end.
-
-
Only half the story…
- By Rabid Reader on 06-27-22
By: Theodora Taylor
-
Bulletproof
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Lacy Laurel, Alan Carlson
- Length: 6 hrs and 56 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
The assignment is simple. Don't let the client die. Don't let her get kidnapped. Don't sleep with her. It's the last part that unexpectedly complicates things for me after I'm introduced to the most beautiful and brilliant woman I could've ever envisioned. And it only gets worse when we have to stash ourselves away in a small town where our calculated cover is to be a recently engaged couple. My new mission is now significantly harder. After all, my job isn't to love my boss' sister. It's to stop an unidentified threat from taking her - or die trying.
-
-
Opposites attract!
- By RACHEL REED on 05-07-22
By: Xavier Neal
-
Saving Silver
- The Draak Legacy, Book 1
- By: Xavier Neal
- Narrated by: Mooreghan Martin, Oliver Highpoint
- Length: 4 hrs and 53 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I swear, one minute I'm dozing off during the night shift—don't judge me—and the next I'm being told I'm Fate Mated to an ancient dragon. An ancient dragon I couldn't help but save when he woke me up out of the aforementioned slumber—again, don't judge me. Now this same ancient dragon is doing everything he can to win me over, because it's up to me whether or not he'll live the rest of his life in agony or bliss. Oh, and let's not forget the fact we're being chased by elves, working with a grumpy Griffin, and have to rescue some poor dragon before an evil corporation kills it.
-
-
Z and Dae
- By Kylie on 07-14-22
By: Xavier Neal
-
Takedown
- By: Evelyn Sola
- Narrated by: Ja'Air Bush, Troy Duran
- Length: 12 hrs and 11 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I was not a gambler. No way. I've built an existence free of risk and adventure. From my career to a small life with my closest family. I was not going to do anything to jeopardize my heart. But when my neighbor and number one menace to my safe plans showed up in Vegas, I did what every adventurous (not!) woman would do. I got drunk and married the man.
-
-
great story..meh..to the female narrator..ugh
- By Keya Baker on 01-22-23
By: Evelyn Sola
-
The Lion and Mouse, Books 1-3
- By: Kenya Wright
- Narrated by: Ellis Evans, Shari Peele
- Length: 27 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Included in this bundle are the first three books in Kenya Wright's The Lion and Mouse series: Dirty Kisses, Dirty Love, and Dirty Hearts.
-
-
Love the story line
- By sandra on 05-16-24
By: Kenya Wright
-
Takeover
- By: Evelyn Sola
- Narrated by: Troy Duran, Dorothy Ramsay
- Length: 11 hrs and 16 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I was supposed to be in charge. That was always my intention. Until that slick corporate raider, Ethan Bradford, clicked his fancy pen and poof! Just like that, I was under him, instead of on top. Rich and powerful men - especially arrogant, handsome ones - are all the same. I know exactly how to handle him, but when my father pulls rank and orders me to play nice, my plans of putting him in his place vanish. I know his type. I've been around men like him my entire life, but one chance meeting with him and his son, makes me question everything I thought I knew.
-
-
Troy should have done it solo
- By Geniah on 03-22-22
By: Evelyn Sola
-
Grumpy Romance
- Billionaire Dads
- By: Nia Arthurs
- Narrated by: Jasmin Walker, Lee Samuels
- Length: 12 hrs and 14 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Holland Alistair is the gorgeous computer prodigy who took the real estate game by storm. Arrogant. Surly. Eyes of steel. He meets me on the worst day of my life and gets his fern kicked. Literally.
-
-
Worst book I’ve read this year.
- By Avaney Brown on 05-23-24
By: Nia Arthurs
-
Her Scottish Wolf (Scottish Wolves Book 1)
- By: Theodora Taylor
- Narrated by: Samantha Brentmoor
- Length: 4 hrs and 20 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
My Scottish billionaire boss is arrogant, secretive, demanding, and far too insanely hot for me, his meek assistant, to actually look in the eye. But somehow, I manage to put up with the boss from hell...until I get a terminal cancer diagnosis. Totally valid reason to quit, right? Not for my cruel devil of a boss. You will not believe his response to my resignation...or the secret he's been hiding all along!
-
-
Great read love it
- By Patricia W on 02-09-23
By: Theodora Taylor
-
Fear None
- An Ex-Convict Romance
- By: Amarie Avant
- Narrated by: J T Farrell, Aure Nash
- Length: 11 hrs and 7 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Respect all, fear none.... I lived by my father’s motto until River entered the MMA cage; River’s brown eyes reflected mystery, and his soul held darkness. Off-limits to a good girl like me. One day, the demons that haunted River swallowed him whole. Forever passed away, yet I failed at forgetting the beast who showed me a tender side of him. Now, I’m the law. A cop. River’s as gorgeous as sin. An ex-convict. And I’m the reason he was tossed in the slammer.
-
-
Can't wait for the next book!!!
- By Jonie on 03-27-22
By: Amarie Avant
-
Black Rainbow
- By: J.J. McAvoy
- Narrated by: Aubrey Vincent, Marcio Catalano
- Length: 8 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
After an erotic one-week fling with a musician she meets in a bar, Thea Cunning never expects to see Levi Black again. Then Monday morning comes around, and she discovers that her former lover is not only her professor, but he's also one of the top criminal lawyers in the state of Massachusetts.
-
-
The Verdicts In .... Five Solid Stars!
- By Cheri on 06-11-16
By: J.J. McAvoy
-
Deviant Royal
- By: Amarie Avant
- Narrated by: JT Farrell, Aure Nash
- Length: 7 hrs and 52 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I fought. It was a losing battle. I ran. His relentlessness ensnared me. I'm a token. A trinket. A toy for Victor's amusement. He's seductive. A dangerous deviant. Although I can't stop the madness, staying is lethal.
-
-
awkward
- By Dansu on 07-02-22
By: Amarie Avant
-
Roots of the Wicked
- By: Keta Kendric
- Narrated by: Marcio Catalano, Dyshon Carter
- Length: 10 hrs and 22 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Jax Saint-Pierre is dedicated to building the success of her business and living life the way she mapped it. That is, until driven and charismatic Chase Taylorson stands firmly in her path with his arrogant charm. He was the first man to make her consider changing her strict no-relationship rule, but with her wicked past, she keeps him at a distance for his own good. Chase Taylorson is the head of a billion dollar empire. All it takes is one chance encounter with Jax Saint-Pierre to blow up his well-organized world.
-
-
Excellent Story that was s joy to listen to!
- By Kindle Customer on 10-30-21
By: Keta Kendric
-
Takeoff
- By: Evelyn Sola
- Narrated by: Ja'Air Bush, Troy Duran
- Length: 12 hrs and 5 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
I am done with men. I like my life the way it is. Calm, quiet, and very private. I may be a brash New Yorker, but I keep a tight circle, and I prefer it that way. Enter Colt Chastain, rising NBA star and magnetic single dad. He's set his sights on me and he's determined to change my mind. I told him he's the absolute last man I would ever be with. So, why does he think getting me into bed is a slam dunk?
-
-
Sweet
- By Dansu on 03-30-23
By: Evelyn Sola
-
Die for You
- A Stand-Alone Scottish BWWM Romance (MacKenzie Scottish Crime Family, Book 1)
- By: Amarie Avant
- Narrated by: JT Farrell, Robyn Isaacs
- Length: 11 hrs and 44 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
In Clan MacKenzie, we fight for each other. We die for each other. And when I fell for Chevelle, those same rules applied to her. She loves me, but hates the family business. So, I hid the villain in me until today. Today, I need to do what must be done and that requires the help of the same people she would rather us keep our distance from.
-
-
Great
- By Kindle Customer Vee on 03-27-21
By: Amarie Avant
-
Eternally Yours
- By: Kenya Wright
- Narrated by: Morae Brehon
- Length: 7 hrs and 4 mins
- Unabridged
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Romance author Maya finds herself trapped in a never-ending time loop, reliving the same luxurious masquerade party night after night. But there's a twist—someone keeps trying to kill her. Each time she dies, she wakes back up in the limo heading to the party, and she's determined to uncover the mystery of her predicament. Enter Ethan Vanderbilt, an erotically handsome and intimidating billionaire who becomes obsessed with possessing Maya. When he also gets caught in the time loop, the two must work together to unravel the mystery and find a way out.
-
-
Great story idea!
- By AnLLT on 01-03-24
By: Kenya Wright
What listeners say about Dark Ruler
Highly rated for:
Reviews - Please select the tabs below to change the source of reviews.
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Sophy Sorn
- 03-28-22
Just okay
Not sure how to write this but this book was just okay for me. I like me some bad boys but I don’t feel it here. I just feel like he’s taking life without a care and she doesn’t seems to be all that bother, I’m okay killing because you have too but killing someone who’s your guard due to him not wanting to shot her is beyond me. And what he did to her 1 time date. 🙄 the story also seems to jump around and I do not feel the chemistry between the two. So all in all it was just okay for me. Joy Beharie & Tom Haire did an amazing job at narrating
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
Too much in Italian
I was not a huge fan 🙈. It started out great! I was loving the sexual tension and banter between Chantal and Benicio that was starting right off the bat..... but then there was all the Italian dialogue. Ok I get that the men are Italian.... and yes it was translated, but the constant conversations that were happening in another language, just to be translated right away became quite annoying. I also feel like the word "chortle" was WAY overused! I also wasn't a fan of the over descriptive violent scenes. There weren't a lot of them, but the ones there were had my stomach churning a bit. I did like the story and I thought the narration was great. They had some fantastic accents going on... and even when Joy Behaire was speaking Italian as Chantal.... she nail a bad Italian accent just as great as she had the good accent. I was enjoying the story, but unfortunately I don't think that I can make it through another book with THAT much Italian dialogue in it.
Story 🌟🌟🌟🌟
Spice 🔥🔥
Swoon
Angst
Narration 👏👏👏👏
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- AudibleObsessed
- 03-19-22
Not your typical mafia romance
LOVED it. Well written with great character development. It was semi dark with a lot of bantering & humor thrown in. I wasnt ready for that cliffy, and cant wait for Book 2 to come out!
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Geniah
- 05-23-22
If the goal was to completely dislike Chantal, the the goal was reached
First of all, every single female character this author writes is exactly the same. The might “look different”, but their personalities are all the same…exhausting.
Secondly, Chantal constantly expected Benecio to change, but she wasn’t compromising on anything. That quick tongue and constant challenge. Like sis, do you know who you are with! You know who this man is. The fact that he let her talk to him like that. All those exhausting lectures.
This book was exhausting because Chantal is an exhausting, spoiled, character. The only place Benecio had control with her was in the bedroom. Ugh,
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- RACHEL REED
- 11-07-23
Hot🔥🔥
This is the first book in The Bennett Duet!
I absolutely loved Beni and Chantal's story , their character growth throughout the book as well as their relationship development was beyond perfection.
Looking forward to the next in this series.
Boty the narrators were amazing 😍
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- S. Cole
- 03-29-22
Dark Ruler
This is the first book in the Bennett Duet. I love Xavier Neal’s style of writing. I love the the FMC is never “perfect “. That she has her flaws but embraces them to make her a powerful, strong character. I love how Bennett is this strong powerful Mafia style boss. But with the touch of the right and only woman he can learn a softer way to love. I absolutely loved all the Italian throughout the book. It gives it so much more depth. I am dying for the next book with that ending. Joy Beharie and Tom Haire did such a phenomenal job narrating these amazing characters, especially the accents and languages.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
4 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- shedevilreads Bookstagram
- 03-30-22
A Dark Mafia Romance
Dark Ruler by Xavier Neal is a dark mafia romance that I listened to on audio narrated by Joy Behare and Tom Haire. This is the first book in The Bennett Duet.
This is the third series of Xavier's that I have read and it won't be my last. The relationship between Benicio and Chantal is a bit messy as they figure out how their relationship will work. But you can't help but root for them. I really enjoyed getting both of their points of view throughout the book. It really brought the story to life.
The book ends on a great cliffhanger. I can't wait for the next book in the series Dark Reign to be released on audio so I can get the rest of their story.
Joy and Tom did a great job on the narration. I look forward to listening to more of their work in the future.
I would recommend this book if you like dark romances, mafia romances, or romantic suspense.
The Flock Team
Audiobook Obsession Reviewer
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Lisa X
- 03-28-22
Great story!
While this is a little darker than what I prefer this author snuck in an amazing story that really kept me glued to my earbuds. This took me on a journey meeting characters that I grew to love, worry about and feel saddened for them. I really enjoyed learning about Benecio and his life as the Butcher Boy. He has many levels to his personality that come out as the story unfolds. I loved how tenacious he was going after “his girl”. His cousin brings the lighthearted to the story. He made me laugh numerous times with his wit and comments.
I did listen to this in audio. While I have not listened to either of the narrators before they both did an amazing job. Their Itialian sounded lovely.
There is a ton of itialian language in the story which I do not speak. It is translated but I wondered if it was just in english with some Itialian periodically it would have the same effect. I did love hearing it but just had to wait for the translation. This does end on a cliffhanger as the synopsis mentions so I am eagerly awaiting the second book in the duet.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
2 people found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- Jaye69
- 06-01-22
Honestly wasn't going to purchase book 2.
Now I am on the edge of my seat!!! Going to get purchase book 2 now.
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!
1 person found this helpful
-
Overall
-
Performance
-
Story
- SLKRomance
- 06-16-22
good
story is good. I'd rather it not be a cliff hanger. but good story and narrator (male) very good
Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
You voted on this review!
You reported this review!