Detained: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 4)

Song- Rain, Sleeptoken

As Rosa helps me out of the limo, I spot my mom standing outside the grand hall. Without thinking, and gripping my bouquet of black roses in my hand, I sprint towards her and hug her tightly.

“Mom!” It comes out more of a sob as I squeeze her tight, closing my eyes.

“Zara, sweetie. I’ve missed you so much.”

“I missed you, too.” I cling to her neck and kiss her cheek.

We’ve spoken on the phone and I’ve been out to visit her a few times with Frankie. With her being in this new treatment facility, she wanted to get as well as she could for our wedding.

She also needed time to grieve, away from New York.

“Well, we won’t ever be spending that much time apart again,” she says.

I pull back to look at her. “What do you mean? Have you finished your treatment?”

“I have, for the most part. I’m moving back, well, in, with you and Frankie, if you’ll have me.”

I tilt my head. “Have you spoken to him already?”

She gives me a smile. “It was his idea.”

My heart flutters; I love my man. “Well, we’d love to have you.”

Maddie’s heels click against the pavement behind us. “Everything is ready for you. Are you ready, Zara?”

Rosa stops by Maddie’s side with her camera in one hand, resting her other on her protruding belly.

“I’m ready.” I lace my arm through my mom’s.

Sucking in a deep breath, I hold my bouquet in front of me, standing in front of the gold doors that will lead to our ceremony room.

The doors slowly open, revealing the white pillared room, surrounded by arrangements of black and white flowers.

Our friends, our allies, our family, all in one room.

My eyes lock on the man standing at the end of the altar. His hands clasped in front of his legs. His eyes rake up my body as he bites down on his lip.

He takes my breath away.

With each step I take towards him, the rest of the room fades out. It’s only Frankie.

I can feel him as my dress brushes against the welts on my ass that he left me with earlier.

I wanted this.

To be his in every sense of the word.

As I reach him, I stop and turn to Mom.

She sniffles and kisses me on the cheek.

“I’m so proud of you, Zara. You’ve got yourself a keeper there.” She winks and looks to Frankie, who smiles at her.

Handing her my bouquet, I step in front of the man who owns me with a grin on my lips.

He leans forward and my breath hitches as his neat beard brushes against my jaw.

“Beautiful,” he whispers and I blush as he pulls back, lacing his hand through mine.

The officiant clears his throat as I stand beside Frankie and I squeeze his hand. I look up at him and lick my lips, causing Frankie to raise an eyebrow.

He leans down, still facing the officiant.

“What’s up, angel?”

“Does this go on for long? My ass is stinging, and now I’m all horny.”

Frankie chokes on a cough, and I hold back a laugh.

“Careful, baby.” The warning in his tone has me clenching my thighs.

I spent the entire wedding ceremony squeezing my thighs together to try to relieve some of the pressure. No thanks to my new husband. Who not only looked damn fine in that black suit, he kept eye fucking me the entire time.

He knew what he was doing.

It was perfect. And now, I am officially who I was always meant to be.

Mrs. Falcone.

Now, the party is in full swing. I look over to Mom, who is sitting with Sienna and Maddie. She smiles and gives me a wave.

My heart swells as she makes her way over to us, resting her hands on mine and Frankie’s shoulders. She leans down, whispering something in Frankie’s ear and he laughs. I shoot her a questioning look, and she simply grins at me.

“A beautiful couple.” I close my eyes and she kisses my cheek.

I stroke her frail hand.

“I love you, Mom.” I whisper.

“I love you more than life. I’m happy I got to see this day.” I look up and smile at her.

Frankie rubs his fingers along my wedding ring, just a simple touch has me almost sweating.

“Now, I’m going to get some more cake,” Mom says, tapping Frankie on the shoulder.

“Not long, baby.” He leans in and whispers.

I groan, just those words are setting off fires.

I look across the crowd, all of them together with their kids. They’re all in love, and dare I say, happy. Even after everything they’ve been through, they fought and came out the other side stronger than ever. Just like Frankie.

I spot Jax sitting at the Russian’s table, deep in conversation. I think this is the first time I’ve seen him with a serious expression on his normally teasing face.

“What’s that about?” I nudge Frankie to look at their table.

“Their proposal for Jax. Him working alongside Nikolai. It’s a big step up if he takes it.” Frankie sips on his champagne.

Jax is one of his best. He seems to work well with the Russians on the shipments. He’s been struggling with Kai’s death. We’ve all seen it. Even if he tries to mask it with his humor.

“Jax doesn’t look too happy about it.”

He shrugs. “I’ll talk to him soon.”

Luca and Grayson appear in front of us, and I take the opportunity to slip away.

“I’ll be right back.” I drop a kiss to his cheek, my lips grazing his ear as I whisper, “if you find me, you fuck me.”

I don’t give him a chance to reply before hitching up my dress and running out the door. The fresh air hits me as I kick off my heels and run across the acres of grass lit up with festival lights.

My heart rate picks up. I know he’s behind me. I need to get him alone. I dart behind the nearest tree and press my back against the bark. Excitement sparks through my veins as his footsteps get closer.

“What did I tell you about running from me, wife?”

I can’t help but bite my lip when I hear his deep voice.

The first thing that hits me is his intoxicating, masculine scent as he towers over me. The sparkling from the lights reflecting in his icy gray eyes.

“What am I going to do with you, dolcezza?” He tilts his head, tracing his index finger along my arm in a soft motion all the way up towards my neck. “I found you. Have you been a good girl for me, hmm?”

I nod, feeling a surge of anxiety coursing through my body. I can’t keep the secret any longer. It’s killing me. I thought I could keep it to myself for a little longer, but the worry is taking over. I need him to keep me sane.

Would it be better if he never knew? Do I want to put him through that again? I quickly decide he deserves to know, to share this moment of joy together.

It’s a blessing. A second chance. Together, we can get through anything. We’ve proven that already. With him by my side, nothing can bring me down.

“What’s the matter, baby? Something is eating at you.” He tips my chin up, searching my eyes.

“I’m pregnant,” I almost whisper; I’ve been scared to even say it out loud.

Seeing the smile on his face in this moment is something I will never forget.

He pulls me into an embrace and his face presses into my neck.

A tear slips from my eye in happiness.

I have everything I could ever want, a husband who would burn down the world with me and I’m carrying his baby.

“Thank you,” he whispers, squeezing me tight.

“It was half you. You’ve been pretty relentless with the trying part.”

As he pulls back, his hand cups my cheeks. The cool metal of his wedding ring contrasts against my warm skin. It’s my mark on him.

“I fucking love you, Zara Falcone. Today, tomorrow and every single moment until I take my last breath. You are the best thing to ever happen to me, and I will cherish you and all of our babies forever.”

My tears erupt into full-blown sobs. I rest my forehead against his chest, feeling the steady rhythm of his heartbeat.

“Don’t cry, baby.” His palms rub soothing strokes up and down my back.

“What if it happens again?”

“We can’t live with what ‘if’s’. We take the punches as they’re thrown and we fight back harder. Together, we are unstoppable, baby. Never forget that. I’ve got you.”

He pulls my face back up and presses his lips against mine.

“I love you, Frankie. I just want to give you everything, like you have for me.”

“You already have, angel.” He places my palm on his cheek. “We’ve got this,” he whispers.

I believe him.

We have strength in each other, in our new family.

“Now, mama, I have to get you out of here. I’ve got a surprise for you and I can’t wait a second longer for it,” he says with a mischievous grin.

I sniffle, and he kisses my forehead. We stand there in each other’s arms, soaking up this moment of perfection.

“Let’s say our goodbyes, and then you are mine for the night, Mr. Falcone.”

“I am all yours, always have been, let’s face it.” He winks.

I slide my hand into his and squeal as he bends and scoops me up into his arms, cradling me into his chest as he walks us back towards the party.

He places me back on my feet before bending to retrieve my heels. He drops onto one knee so I can hold on to his back as he puts my shoes on for me.

“Fuck, you look so hot,” I say as he stands and dusts off his suit.

“Not as gorgeous as you, wife.” He holds out his hand with a smile and leads us back into our reception.

Jax is up on the table, swinging his jacket around and pouring champagne straight from the bottle into his mouth.

“Someone cheered up,” I joke.

Frankie watches him with amusement, as do Grayson, Keller and Luca as they stride towards us.

“They’re going to have fun with him in Vegas,” Grayson says as he reaches us.

“He needs to blow off steam. He’ll do just fine.”

Jax catches us watching and gives us one of his cocky smiles.

“Make sure he keeps his clothes on,” Frankie says to Grayson.

“I’m just going to say goodbye to the girls, okay?” I look up at Frankie.

“Be quick.” He taps my ass as I head over to my new girlfriends, the first ones I’ve had since I was sixteen.

I’ll be as fast as I can. I can’t wait much longer for him.

I need to know how he fucks as a husband.