Devoted (Beneath the Mask, #3)

by Luna Mason

To all my dirty girls who think hand tattoos are just pretty necklaces. This one is for you. Mr. Russo will see you now…

This was never the life he wanted, but the one we were forced into. I gave him his freedom; it’s not something I will ever have. I had to let him go, to finally have the family he deserved with Sienna.

Grayson and Maddie, the worst pair on the planet at hiding their relationship. The man who swore off kissing a woman for almost eight years sure as hell kissed her. The truth is, everyone can see what they have is the real deal, no matter how they try to hide it from us.

And I am. Much like Keller, Grayson has found his person. Happiness suits the grumpy marine.

I can’t deny it–despite being the daughter of the enemy, she is beautiful.

Rubbing my hand along my day old stubble, my eyes still fix on her. Rosa. My cock starts to twitch against my zipper. I shuffle in my seat to try to rectify it. What the fuck is going on with me?

Wow, that Russo guy has really gotten under his skin. Good.

I’ve gotten good at pretending to be okay. I do it every time I leave the house.

What he doesn’t know is that little line of white powder is the only thing keeping his daughter sane. He wants to act like nothing happened to me. Fine. But I can’t forget the moment my life was shattered by one of his men. So I’ve found my own way to forget. Being that wild child, living up to my reputation.

The fear in those big dark eyes of hers didn’t give me the thrill I thought it would.

But when she turned to face me and her full red lips brushed against my cheek, my heart actually fucking fluttered. So much so, I actually debated whether there was time to take her in the bathroom on the way out. I forgot who I was and what I was doing.

She doesn’t seem like your typical mafia princess. If anything, she’s running from it.” The dark outline of the club fades in the rearview mirror. Why is she trying to get away? “Hmmm.” I can’t shake this feeling, this weird ache in my chest. This woman is going to wreak havoc on my life.

“Your father, believe it or not, was a good man. He saved my ass a few times. You are the lesser of two evils, Luca. You’re humane, you respect women and children. You have a heart.

She fascinates me. She hasn’t even flinched. She hasn’t cried or screamed. I underestimated her strength.

I had to go and kidnap the most beautiful woman I have ever laid eyes on.

This overwhelming need to protect her kicks in.

“Boss, what the hell? It’s just a whore.” That does it. I pull the gun out and aim it between his eyes. “No man in my organization treats women with such disrespect. Men like you don’t deserve to walk the streets.” He opens his mouth to respond, and I pull the trigger. Blood splatters up the wall. I give him a hard shove and he thuds to the ground. Piece of shit.

Her piercing brown eyes meet mine and all the oxygen is sucked from my lungs.

“You can trust me, Rosa. I won’t hurt you. I swear on my life.” I place my hand across my heart and smile at her.

“Right… coming from the guy that kidnapped me in the first place.” I shrug. “But I did just kill one of my men for you.” I let my arms drop, gesturing to the embarrassment to my organization that now lies stiffening beside us.

“Because he tried to hurt you. He touched you without your permission,” I answer honestly, leaning against the doorframe.

My hand feels naked without the heat of her fingers.

Grayson warned me about her habits. I don’t know what she’s running from. I have every intention of finding out. I need to make up for what Ramos did, and part of me wants to protect her. I owe her.

“You’re so fucking strong, Rosa. You’ve got this, okay?”

She needs someone to protect her, to care for her, and that person is me. Even if my heart is in my throat the entire time.

“Don’t leave me, Luca.” Her voice is soft, but it’s like a kick in the gut. I hold her petite frame against mine and stroke her back.

I’ve never given my heart to anyone. I am certain this is the same. Just because I want to help her doesn’t mean I’m going to be madly in love with her. Even if she is the first woman in a long time to cause a spark in me just by being near her.

She might not have anyone to protect her, but while she’s here, I will step up.

His strong arms wrap around me, and for the first time in my life, I feel safe.

I close my eyes for a second, letting the sound of his heart calm me, his chest rising and falling steadily.

Both options sound heavenly right now. The fact he’s so willing to go out of his way for me, to care for me, has me wanting to cry. It’s so unfamiliar, but the best feeling in the world.

Luca is whistling to himself and flipping pancakes.

hahaha mafia boss. love this.

His head turns to see me and his face lights up. “Wow,” he whispers, before smiling and returning to the stove.

“This is locked to my number only. If you need me, for anything, you call me.” I take it from him and hold it tightly, letting its warmth from his body seep into me.

He takes a few steps away and stops, spreading his broad palms on the island countertop. “I mean it. Please call me.” My heart flutters over his protectiveness over me. “Promise.” My finger makes a cross over my heart.

“I’ll see you later, then, little one.” He winks and snatches up his keys.

I don’t know how to cope with this overwhelming need to protect her. When I’m with her, I forget about myself. She is my focus.

They’re both lethal. And both are angry. I’m glad they’re on my side.

I might joke, but he has never been happier. Him and Sienna have a perfect family, with their kids Max and Darcy.

“All you have to do is ask if you want my help, Luca. Family first. Always. We’ve had each other’s backs, nothing has changed there.” But it has. He has something I can’t let him lose.

It’s so obvious they are in love. It’s sickening.

Honestly, just wait until you meet your Maddie. I would have let her shoot me. That’s the scary part.”

“I don’t think that’s in the cards for me yet. Although, if I do, I’ll be snatching that gun out of her hands and shoving it up her pussy until she’s screaming my name.”

I burst out into laughter as Grayson bites the inside of his mouth, sporting a grin, and shrugs. “You filthy fucker. I’m jealous....

“Well, now I can’t concentrate. I won’t be able to look at you holding a gun the same way again.” Dropping my arms to my sides, I’m laughing so hard I don’t have the strength to pick them up.

Something is screaming at me to get home. To get to her.

“Shh, Rosa. It’s me, Luca. No one can hurt you here,” I whisper into the top of her sweaty head.

I can stop anyone physically hurting her, but I can’t fix what’s tormenting her on the inside. If I could take some of her pain, I would in a heartbeat.

Whatever demons are doing this, I want to fucking kill them.

I wonder what it would feel like to have him touch me. To have his full lips pressed against my own.