Detained (Beneath the Mask, #4)

by Luna Mason

“Because I’ve taken care of it. I’m having her moved to a secure hospital in Vegas. No one can get to her and she’s being looked after. She knows you didn’t abandon her, Zara.”

She blinks rapidly at me with her mouth wide open. According to Enzo, Jane has the same attitude as her daughter. She’s strong. She knew something was happening with George. That still didn’t stop her from making Enzo promise to video call me. He said she wants to grill me about Zara to make sure that I am taking care of her.

“She can’t afford all those fancy new treatments.” “I have that covered, Zara. I told you before, money means nothing to me. She will have the best care, with new specialists and whatever treatment plan will help her.”

“Thank you, Frankie. I don’t know what to say.” “We take care of our family. I don’t need thanking.” I run my fingers through her soft hair.

“You know I’ll do anything for you,” I say and mean every single word.

When we have the girls safe and finish this, we can look at our options. Whether she moves in with us, or we find somewhere nearby. Whatever you want, baby.”

“You look absolutely fucking divine, angel.”

“Good girl,” the doctor says. A growl rumbles through Frankie’s chest and his jaw tightens as he glares at the doctor. I grab his hand in mine and dig my nails into the skin.

“Please. What’s going on? Our baby is fine. Don’t make me do this on my own, Frankie. I need you here with me.”

I hug her tighter as her breathing settles. This woman is my life.

“Ti amo, dolcezza,” I whisper against her hair.

I thought I knew what love was ten years ago. Leila never loved me for who I was, simply who she wanted me to be, for her. Zara, she knows my flaws. She sees every single part of me and craves more. Every mome...

And there is not a single soul on this earth who can take...

“Morning, gorgeous.” She bites down on her lip and rolls her hips against my cock. She peels off her tank top, and her perky breasts have me salivating. I tug my hands forward, only to have metal digging into my wrists. “Zara.” I look up and find both of my arms cuffed to the bed.

“I think I could get myself off just by doing this, you know. Your dick is so perfect, Frankie.” “Uncuff me, now,” I growl.

“See, I was thinking, after what happened yesterday. I need to know what the hell went on. I need you to trust me, Frankie. In return, I will show you how much I trust you. I will give my body over to you, completely.” She pauses to grind her hips again.

“Don’t fuck with me, Zara.”

“You want me to change?” She shakes her head. “Not even a little, I don’t mean that. I quite like you, all cold and ruthless. What I mean is you need to let go of the demons in your past, accept them and focus on what we have here. I’m not going anywhere.”

“You’re perfect, Zara,” he groans. I flash him a wide grin. “I know.”

“I’ll protect them with my life. That would always be the case, don’t ever doubt that.”

“I killed my ex-boyfriend.”

“How did you do it?” “I waited outside her house. He got on his bike and I ran into him with my car.” “That killed him?” I shake my head. “Me then reversing back over him is what killed him.”

“Well, this means I can’t be your boyfriend, dolcezza.” My heart races. “What do you mean?” He smiles. “I will have to be a husband, so I don’t meet the same fate.” I blow out a breath. “Fuck, you scared me.”

“So, you don’t think I’m crazy?” “Oh, you are, baby.” He leans in, brushing his nose along my neck. “But so am I.”

“You were in love with Leila?” “I was.” His words feather against my skin. “Is that why you wanted us to have a baby so badly? You want another chance at being a dad?” “No. That wasn’t why.”

“I’m not mad, Frankie. I get it. You lost everything, now you can have something back.”

“You think I don’t love you?” His eyes squint.

I’ve known that I was in love with him for a long time. I tried to fight it, but it was a losing battle. My heart belonged to him from the moment we met.

“I love you, Frankie. You brought me to life and I want to give you this, the family you deserve. I’ll always be by your side, no matter what. Even if you never love me completely, I know I’m enough for you. I know, in your own way, you love me, too.”

“In every single lifetime, it will always be you, Zara. I would go through the torture I’ve dealt with a thousand times over if it meant that you were my reward. You make everything worth it. Every ounce of pain I’ve ever felt was to bring me to you. My undying love for you is unquestionable. No matter what life throws at us. You, Zara. You are my inevitable, my love and my purpose.”

“I love you, Zara. With every part of me. Our future is not my past. It was never about that. It was purely out of my love for you.”

“I need to go and get us set up upstairs. Give me ten minutes. I want you naked with your head down as you enter the room. Upstairs, I own you. This is the ultimate statement of trust. I won’t take that lightly, I promise. Do you want this, Zara?”

“I love you.” I can’t even hide my smile. “Ti amo,” I whisper back. “Sei la mia anima gemelli.” You are my soulmate.

“Break for me, baby,” he orders.

“So beautiful.” He thrusts into me. “So perfect.” He kisses me. “Mine,” I reply.

“Always mine, angel. I love you.” “I love you, sir.”

“You’re already just like your daddy, always testing me.”

“You better hope to god nothing happened to those girls, or my Frankie, Alex. Or, I’ll end you myself.”

“You made me proud today, baby,” I whisper. “You found me pretty quick.” “I told you, I’ll always find you.

“I’ve sworn to protect you with my goddamn life, Zara. That is what being part of this family is about. Stop fighting me on it.”

There isn’t a price on my devotion to her.

I need her as much as I need air to breathe.

“No,” I whisper as I spot the glass sticking out from her abdomen.

As I reach the door, I stop as Jax lets out what can only be described as a scream of utter heartbreak. Enough to tell me that Kai didn’t make it. I know his pain, I’ve felt it.

“Come on, angel. Come back to me.” I can’t do this without her. The thought of having to rip her heart out when she wakes up makes me want to vomit.

We have lost our future. Our baby is gone.

“Until Zara is awake, I’m not moving.” “You really love her, don’t you?” “More than life. I’d take her fucking place in a heartbeat.” I bow my head, not being able to say anymore.

“I will make up for this. I will prove to you every day for the rest of our lives how much I love you. Let me worship you. Wake up, dolcezza. Please? I fucking need you, baby.”

“Kai never made it though, Zara.” A sob catches in my throat. Frankie joins me on the bed, holding my hands.

“The baby?” I all but whisper. I hold my breath, waiting for the next blow. I don’t know how much more I can handle before I break. Frankie’s face pales, grief written all over it. “No,” I cry out. “Don’t say it.”