Distance (Beneath the Mask, #1)

by Luna Mason

My sadness wasn’t for Jamie cheating, specifically. I think I was in love with the idea of him, rather than truly him. Maybe I am just unlovable. I sigh,

All I wanted was for someone to show me I was enough.

“Please tell me you are done with this wallowing now. You absolutely fucking stink. The room is covered in snotty tissues, and you have not seen sunlight in over a week.”

love a brutally honest bestie. lol

I trail my left hand slowly down, blindly searching for something to grab onto to hoist myself back up. My hand settles and grips onto the hard bulge I’m assuming is the table. I take in a deep breath, ready to make my exit, and feel him hiss.

STOP she did not >.< LMFAO

I can pick her out of a crowd of thousands. My body reacts before I even see her. If I didn’t know any better, it’s almost as if she’s cast some kind of spell on me. Never has a woman had this effect on me.

The only solace from this predicament I find myself in is it’s clear she’s under the same fucking spell as me. Her body can’t help but react to me, no matter how much she may will it not to.

I am pining over a man. Not just any man–a man who worships me when he is with me, but then forgets about me as soon as I’m out of sight. I just don’t understand. Maybe my mom was right; I’m not good enough for people to stick around.

I thought family law would be focused more on the family aspect, like looking out for the children and not ripping the family apart. In reality, it’s all about money–who can get or keep the most, and how much damage could they put on the other person.

that's the harsh reality of the american dream. everything is about the money first.

People are selfish.

not wanting to run into our boss, who would just eat into our lunch break, requesting updates on what I have already emailed him. He is utterly useless with technology and doesn’t read his emails.

omg the corporate girlies get it. this is 100% my boss too.

He’s going to think I’m mad for jumping out of the fire into the pan so quickly.

isn't that expression usually the other way around?

“Shut. Up. You are not fucking Keller Russo. World Champion Keller “the Killer” Russo? No fucking way.”

There’s a faint scar visible, only a centimeter or so, vertically down his left eyebrow. How have I not noticed this before? Oh, probably because his head is normally buried between my legs.

“Well, now might be a good time to tell you I can’t cook for shit. I was brought up on ready meals and takeaways. Maddie’s practically all but banned me from making anything other than coffee in the kitchen. So, if you’re expecting a doting housewife, then you may be severely disappointed.” “Wife? Mmmm, I like the sound of that,” he mumbles into my neck.

Keller works the kitchen like a pro. I’m yet to find anything Keller can’t exceed at. Boxing–check. Can find my clit–check. Cooking–check. Surely a man can’t be this perfect.

“Is it me? Am I the problem?” I let out a frustrated sigh. “Maybe, just maybe, you need to let go of your past, Si. I am certain there is a reasonable explanation. A man can’t be that obsessed with you and not be interested. You just run away at the first sign of trouble, too. You’ll see; I have a good feeling about this one.”

omg this is so me and Sam

His eyes search mine, looking for a response. “I’m yours, champ, always, and only yours for as long as you’ll keep me.” “I won’t ever let you go. Now that I have you, you’re mine forever,” he growls as he leans in, giving me an earth-shattering kiss. A kiss that solidifies what we both know. This is it. We are it for each other, and I finally feel complete. I peer over to spot Maddie with her back against the door, an infectious smile lighting the room. That girl loves love. She catches my eye and gives me a wink.

God, i really am Maddie. lol

“Sienna, can you zip me up?” Maddie shouts from her room. Before I can even step forward, she comes barreling out, tits on full display with her gold sequin dress wrapped around her stomach. My eyes go wide as she realizes we have company, the color draining from her face. Grayson’s eyes are glued to Maddie as an amused grin dances across his lips. “I’m more than happy to comply, sweetheart. Why don’t you come take a seat,” he says and taps his hands on his lap. “Oh fuck off, Grayson. We all know I won’t be putting this fine ass anywhere near you.” She scoffs, but I can see the patches of red appearing on her chest. Oh, this is interesting.

“Do you have to drive like a fucking maniac, Grayson?” Maddie shouts from the back seat. Grayson, in return, just increases the volume of the music to full blast. These two are exhausting.

i really hope the next book is their love story because i am obsessed. i love an enemies to lovers, grumpy-sunshine trope.

I scoot up into the booth. Grayson squeezes in next to Maddie. “Touch me again. You’ll find the heel of my stiletto wedged in your left eye.” “Fuck sakes, Maddie. I’m a big guy trying to fit into a fairly small booth. Trust me, I didn’t want to touch you,” he spits back, and her head flies around in shock.

oh yeah, they'll be bangin' soon. if not by the end of this book, in the next one. lol

I’ll set the world on fire to protect you, and I won’t ever let a single flame touch your beautiful skin.” Well shit.

you said it girlfriend.

“You can try to scare me off all you want, Keller. I don’t care. Trust me, I didn’t grow up with a sheltered life. I don’t just want the good parts of you, I want them all–the good, the bad, and the downright ugly. You just have to accept those parts of me, too.”

Poe said it best: "Tell me every terrible thing you ever did, and let me love you anyway."

Maddie takes Christmas incredibly seriously. The first couple of Christmases we spent together, she was mortified at how ‘grinchy’, as she calls it, I am. Whilst she is Buddy the elf in woman form, practically swinging from the tinsel hung on the ceiling. She’s a bundle of excitement throughout the whole month of December.

just more evidence that Maddie is ME :)

All the other kids excitedly ran into school to show off their new toys, bellies full. I would sit and watch from the back of the class, tears stinging the backs of my eyes as I had nothing to show, nothing to be excited about.

been there too, it's no fun

She always spends so much time making sure everyone around her is happy that she overlooks herself.

more evidence that Maddie is me? Check. :|

Maddie is wearing a simple, tight black dress matched with killer silver stilettos and a leather jacket. Her bright blonde hair is in a simple yet elegant updo, framing her face with wavy curls. She could wear a sack and still look like a model.

ok that's where we differn. lol but we do have the same sense of style

Taking a step back, my eyes focus on the script of black ink and almost bulge out of their sockets. I cannot believe what I’m seeing. Resting just above his cock, in a beautiful dark font reads “PROPERTY OF SIENNA”.

this man! no he did not! *swoon* goals.

Now if that’s everything, I suggest you fuck off.”

I LOVE THIS MAN

“I mean every word, Keller. There may be darkness, but there is always light. One day, I’ll prove it to you. Maybe we were destined to find one another, to heal our pasts and create something great.”

As I pack Sienna’s final box of belongings into my SUV, I pause to watch her jog down the last flight of stairs, her messy bun wobbling on the top of her head. I have to admit this is the most normal I’ve ever felt in my life. The thought of coming home to her every day and snuggling her to sleep makes my chest feel weird; like warm and fuzzy.

Bar one fucker, whose eyes are glued to Sienna. He obviously didn’t get the memo.

oh that guy is obviously a rat. new guy, eyeing the boss' lady... he works for Jamie and/or the falcones for SURE <.<

Maddie and Grayson spent the whole time either picking at each other, leaving Maddie red-faced and Grayson smirking, or totally ignoring each other’s existence. I bet their drive home was a blast. I almost wish they would just fuck to get it out of their systems. It’s clear to everyone around them they have undeniable chemistry, but they won’t admit it.

“It’s you and me against the world. Forever.”

“Enough reading; more fucking. Please. And then you're coming back to bed with me.” “Your wish is my command. Now put that nub on my face and let me feast, please.”

Something about it isn’t sitting right at all. I want to help her, but I can’t if I don’t know what I’m dealing with.

he just needs to bang her in the elevator to replace the bad memory with a good one. <.<

Fuck the penthouse, I’m buying us a mansion. No more elevators.

solid plan B to just banging her in the elevator. <.<

I’ve spent the last few weeks meticulously watching my upcoming opponent’s fights.

FFS they said the fight was in 6 weeks at the beginning of the book and we jumped to "one month later" which was after christmas. well hell, december has 5 weeks in it. now he's still a couple weeks away from his title match? the math aint mathin here luna.

This is now more than just a unification fight, a fight for my freedom. I’m fighting with all I have to be worthy of Sienna. To keep her.

God, do I feel like shit. Every muscle in my body aches and every smell makes me gag.

if this is a surprise pregnancy trope i'm gonna be so annoyed. i know lots of people like those, i just ain't one of 'em. <.<

Since he left two hours ago, I have already had ten texts and a phone call. I love that he is so obsessed with me, I can’t lie. It feels good to be wanted. To be loved wholly and completely for exactly who you are.

THIS. it's all any of us really want.

Nothing could stop the grin forming on my face and the butterflies floating in my stomach. The elevator pings. I roll my eyes. Maddie must have forgotten something as per usual.

aaaand here's where the shit hits the fan. you KNOW that's the bad guys, not Maddie.

Weird, she doesn’t respond.

girl, trust your gut, even though you've been puking it up for weeks.

All the air sucks from my lungs as I come face to face with him. It’s Jamie.

I KNEW IT!

There’s a murderous look in his bloodshot eyes. His face is gaunt and ashen, and his eyes have sunken into their sockets. Gone is the well-groomed businessman. A crazed drug addict stands before me. His thin lips slide up over his teeth into a sadistic grin, and shivers race down my spine. Fear spreads through my veins. I can’t move, can’t speak. I just stare at the creature my ex-fiancé has become. He stands still, his arms slack at his sides, staring at me. His expression, though, is bloodthirsty.

He’s finally lost the fucking plot.

YA THINK?!

Now I’ve lost her.

the third act breakup. is there anyting worse? *sigh*

His lips creep up into a smile, his perfect white teeth coming into view. “I can’t believe it took you this long to realize. It’s been killing me watching you do this to yourself. I thought I’d lost you for good after you pushed away the one person who pulls you into the light. I’ve already spoken to the rest of the men, and we all agreed to let you go, we have a replacement in line. You and Sienna will always have our protection. A war is raging. You’ve been fighting in my corner for the last fifteen years now. It’s my turn to repay the favor.”

mob boss with a heart of gold <3

“Let me know when to start my best man speech,” Luca shouts down the hall as I leave. Shaking my head, I let out a chuckle, the first laugh to leave my lips in weeks. Sienna, baby, I’m coming for you.

'bout damn time dummy

I’m starting my dream job. I’m living with my best friend again, my best friend who is nothing short of a lifesaver. She’s dragged me back from the brink, yet again. Without her, I’m certain the darkness would have consumed me.

“The first thing you thought of was fucking me? Good to know.” He winks at me. Playfully whacking his arm, I let out a laugh. It feels nice to actually laugh. “Sorry if I got you in trouble. In fact, I’m sorry for being a raging bitch since you started babysitting my sorry ass. I’m not usually such a cow, I promise.” A sadness flashes across his eyes, and he quickly recovers himself, shuffling in his seat. “I know how it feels to lose the one person you love in this life, Sienna. It fucking guts you and leaves you a shell of a person. But your person is still here. You never know, maybe there is hope for your heart after all.”

Awe poor Enzo. I want to know his story now.