Devoted (Beneath the Mask, #3)

by Luna Mason

Her eyes light up as she turns to me, her wide smile making my heart flutter in my chest. I bite back a grin and head to my girl.

Holding her here is doing nothing for my cause. Now, I’m keeping her for my own selfish reasons. I won’t be that man, not to her. She deserves to choose her own path now.

I can keep her safe here, even from her own family. It’s selfish, but I want her to stay. She is my reason for looking forward to coming home. Without her, this house is empty.

“I understand. You want me to leave.” My chest tightens. “What? No. I don’t want you to leave. I’m giving you a choice. I can’t force you to be here with me. It is up to you now. You can stay. I will keep you safe in our little haven while you recover, and it’s still dangerous out there. Your father is making many enemies. If I got to you, anyone could.”

“So, you’re just keeping me here to keep me safe?” “Rosa, I promised I wouldn’t abandon you. I meant it. I want you here.” I want her here more than anything.

“You’re doing so well, Rosa. Your nightmares are becoming less and less. Here, you can rebuild your life, you can start to heal. But the choice is in your hands now.”

All I can do is fucking hope she wants to stay with me.

“I’d like to stay.” “That’s the answer I was hoping for.”

I’m so proud of her; every day she’s fighting a battle in her own mind and winning. As each sunrise breaks, she becomes more of the real Rosa. When she’s finally victorious, it will be a sight to behold. I just hope I’m there for it.

I snatch the popcorn up from the counter and head towards the couch. It’s my movie choice tonight. I’m thinking Captain America sounds good. Last time, she fell asleep with her hand on my leg. I can’t wait to see what tonight could bring.

“Be careful, Luca. Please.” I blink a few times, shaking my head. Now isn’t a time to worry about me. “I’ll try.” I place a kiss on the top of her head and her breath hitches.

I suck in a breath and ask. “Was it my dad?” He nods. “I should never have taken you.” A tightness forms in my chest. “Well, if it’s any consolation, in taking me, you saved me.”

“It’s true. This is the first time in my adult life I’ve truly felt free, happy even. And that’s down to you.

“Thank you, little one.” “I told you to stop calling me that!” I lean back in feigned protest and poke him in the chest. He huffs. “Fine.” His warm fingers cover my hand. “What about ‘tesoro’?” he asks with a hoarse whisper.

“And why am I your treasure, Luca?” His full lips twitch into a smile. “It’s because you are. You are my stolen treasure.” Heat blooms in my chest. “It’s cute, I accept.” He laughs. “Good. Agreed then.”

Rosa. I’m going to be lost when you leave me.”

It might be wrong, but I wish my dad was dead, so this would stop for him. The

“I have to go.” “Luca, you’ve got this. It will be okay. Go out there and fight, just keep your head and don’t get yourself hurt,” I whisper.

“Don’t worry about me. I’m safe here.” I press a soft kiss to his cheek and hop off his lap. There's a fire in his eyes as he s...

I miss her.

God definitely was a man, if this is the kind of shit he puts women through.

“Don’t stop on my account,” he growls.

“I kind of missed you,” I whisper. He rubs his hand along my back and rests his head against the top of mine. “Me too,” he mockingly whispers. “Kind of.”

his dark eyes boring into mine. “Fuck it,” he mutters. My heart rate picks up as he strides towards me, the building desire in my core rising with every step.

“Luca?” “Please tell me I can kiss you.” The easiest answer I will ever have to give leaves my lips. “Yes.” “Oh, thank fuck.”

All the air is sucked out of my lungs as he grabs my face in his hands, lifting my chin up, and his full lips hover just an inch away. As I close my eyes, he presses his lips over mine. It’s slow and gentle to start, his hands running through my hair. I let him deepe...

“You. Are. Perfect,” he groans, before capturing my lips again. Every cell in...

“I couldn’t leave without saying goodbye properly.” A smile creeps up his lips, my own now tingling, and a dampness forms between my legs. I want–no, crave–more from this man. “I’ll miss you.”

“I promise, I won’t be long. When I’m home, we have some things to discuss.” A blush forms along my cheeks, and I nod.

They say he once cut out someone’s tongue and made him swallow it for talking to him in the wrong tone.

so did keller, w/ bullets 😂

“Tell me. How is your mom, Mrs. Gianna Russo? And your brother, Keller? He has a lovely family now with that beautiful little British girl, Sienna, isn’t it?” He smirks, flicking his ash on the oak desk.

“They stay out of this,” I spit out with venom.

“Only if you behave. One wrong move, and you’ll have a lot of funerals to plan for.” Antonio snickers behind me, and I clench my jaw, gritting my teeth. Assholes have a death wish.

If Luca’s not here to make me laugh, then Captain Holt can instead.

“You look better than the last time I saw you.” “Pardon?” I take a step back. “I’m Gianna. Luca’s mom.”

“Your son is a good man.”

“Hmm. He could be. He just needs himself a nice woman to keep him under control.”

“You take care of yourself, Rosa. You’re a good one.” Her

“Tell that boy of mine I’ll be having words with him when he decides to come home. If he comes home this time.”

The thought of Luca not coming back sends a cold shiver up my spine.

He fucked her with the handle of a knife. Am I completely wired wrong for finding that even remotely hot? I’ve

Now, I’m itching to get to the end, I can’t get to sleep until I know he groveled his ass off.

I pull the blanket up under my neck and snuggle into Luca’s bed. It’s so much comfier than the one he gave me. Well, that’s what I tell myself. In reality, it smells of him. It makes me feel safe. He’s still not home, and it’s been days now. I miss him.

“I hope that coffee is for me, tesoro.” His deep voice makes my heart flutter. “Luca!” I slide off the counter and run to him. He grins and spreads his arms out wide as I crash into him. Wrapping my arms around his muscular frame, he crushes me against his body.

“Did you miss me?” he whispers. “No.” I keep my head nuzzled into his chest so he can’t see my smile. “Liar,” he chuckles. “Well, I fucking missed you, Rosa.”

I bite my lower lip. “I missed you, bossman.”

I met your mom, though, she is so cute. I love her.”

“I hear. She is very fond of you, too.”

“I’m proud of you.”

“Oh, well, Viktor is certainly keeping her busy here.” His voice is husky. “Men in books tend to know how to do that.” I bite my lip. He growls in response and I giggle. “Trust me, there’s nothing they can do that I can’t.”