Detonate: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 2)

The moment Luca told me Nico had been murdered, my mind flashed back to Casper. The second he took his last breath in my arms when he ripped my life apart. It’s all I see; the hurt stabs me through the heart as painfully as it did that day. Enough to take my breath away.

The anger, the torment, the burning urge to kill had taken over. I’d clocked out of life. Until Maddie asked me to promise her I would be safe. The concern on her face and the tenderness of her actions literally dragged me back from the depths of hell.

That’s why I’ve kept my distance from her this week. It isn’t fair that she worries about me and my safety. In reality, especially now, I want Maddie as far away from this as possible. I can’t have her getting hurt.

We’ve had intel from Carlo, who deals with our drug shipments. For now. Since he dealt with the Falcones, he has since learned his lesson and is proving to be a handy source. He’s informed us that the Falcones reached out to him this morning, asking for a meetup to discuss future shipments again. Luca told him to agree, so we set up a trap. They take the life of one of ours; we retaliate by taking two of theirs.

I drive over to the Falcones’ warehouse in silence. Every time my mind veers off into the darkness, I think of Maddie’s bright smile. She keeps me from falling off of the cliff.

I spot Luca’s silver Bentley when I pull into the parking lot. Pulling up next to him, I kill the engine, leaning over and opening the glovebox to retrieve my gun and blade. Luca is already next to my car, puffing on a cigarette, the smoke wafting straight up my nostrils as I exit my car. He takes one long drag, the cherry illuminating bright red before tossing it on the floor and stubbing it out with his black leather loafers. Frankie stands behind him, arms crossed in one of his signature navy suits. With slicked back black hair, he and Luca could pass as brothers.

“Boss,” I say to Luca and nod to Frankie.

Luca nods in response, blowing smoke above his head. “You ready?”

“Always. These fuckers need to die.”

“It seems every time we kill one, another two respawn from somewhere.” There’s an annoyance in his tone. He’s been trying too hard to solidify his position as the boss in the organization. This isn’t the life he chose; this is the life forced on him.

“We’ve got this!” I reassure him, but truly, I don’t know where this ends.

Frankie clasps Luca on the shoulder. “We, together, are unstoppable. Let’s show these fuckers.”

“Let’s get this done, then we go and drink,” Luca says, pulling his gun from his Armani suit jacket, turning his back and marching over to the battered warehouse door. I follow his lead, my fingers tightly wrapped around my gun, my blade in my back pocket. Before we reach the door, I grab Luca by the elbow. If he had it his way, he’d go storming in without even scoping the headcount in there. Carlo has proven before we can’t trust him.

“We can’t trust Carlo. You hold still here. We’ll scope it out and confirm there are only two Falcones in there.” Then I address Frankie, “You take the right side of the building, I’ll go left.”

“Got it,” Frankie responds, and Luca rolls his eyes at us.

Ten years of military training; there is no way I’m walking myself into a death trap.

Aiming the gun out in front of me, I creep toward the door just as voices echo throughout the building. They’re talking in hushed Italian; I can only distinguish three people so far. The metal side door is slightly ajar. Leaning in, I spy through the gap. Immediately, I spot Carlo and his right-hand man, Dimitri.

There are two others, wearing gray suit trousers and white shirts. Looks like Carlo is working his way up our good books.

Spinning on my heel, I raise my hand and motion for Luca to come. A smirk forms on his lips as he pulls out his gun and stalks toward me, brushing straight past me. Frankie rounds the corner to join us. “All good on my side.”

Luca kicks open the door. “Knock, knock, motherfuckers,” he shouts, tapping his gun against the metal frame.

“For fuck’s sake,” I mutter, shaking my head. Honestly, he wouldn’t have lasted ten minutes in the military. I follow closely behind him, my gun aimed at the Falcone on the left, Frankie’s to the right.

“You motherfucker!” one shouts, lunging toward Carlos and grabbing him by the throat.

Carlos flings his head, his eyes pleading with me. For a fucking drug dealer, he’s a complete pussy.

Falcones’ other man whips out a gun, pointing it straight at Luca. Before he even has a chance to aim it properly, I line my shot up and pull the trigger. The bullet goes straight into his forehead, and blood splatters out of the back of his head as he thuds to the floor. Carlos is dropped to the floor as the remaining Falcone grabs his gun from his waistband.

“I fucking wouldn’t,” I warn, my gun now aimed at him.

He doesn’t move, but I’m not taking any chances.

I fire the gun at his chest. I don’t want this to be a quick kill. The color instantly drains from his face as he clutches at his chest, crimson now staining his bright white shirt. He collapses to his knees. I stride over towards him, the barrel of my gun connecting to his temple.

“Please,” he begs.

This is for Nico.

I grab the blade from my back pocket and hold it up against his throat, slowly swiping across from left to right. Blood pours out in the wake of the knife, dripping down his neck. He gargles, now clawing at his throat. I lift my left foot and slam it into his chest. He tumbles over into a heap, bleeding out on the rubble.

I turn my attention to Carlos. “Make sure they are delivered to Marco tonight.”

He frantically nods, his eyes wide, staring at the two dead bodies on the floor in horror.

“Pleasure doing business with you. We will see you next week for our shipment,” Luca addresses Carlos.

“Come on, we have scotch to drink and women to fuck,” he says, heading straight for the doors. Frankie laughs and follows him. I nod at Carlos before following behind.

“I’ll meet you there, Boss. I’ll go freshen up. Keller will kill me if I go in there covered in blood.”

With a snicker, Luca drives off.

After quickly stopping at home, I showered and changed into a charcoal gray suit and white shirt. I’ve left my hair messy on top but sharpened the edges of my stubble. The End Zone doesn’t get lively until around 10pm.

I park up outside the back entrance of the club and unlock the door with my key-card.

I make my way through the hallway, past the black office doors, toward the VIP area. I nod at the two security guards positioned by the door who usher me through.

I spot Luca right away, his crystal tumbler against his lips, throwing his head back and downing the contents before slamming the glass back down on the table.

Shaking my head, I reach the booth and sprawl out. The blonde waitress returns quickly, placing our scotch on ice in front of us, with a shot of some clear spirit next to it. She gives me a shy smile and twiddles with her hair. God, all I want to do is pick up Maddie and bury myself in that perfect pussy. I let out a ragged breath and pick up my scotch, letting it burn all the way down.

Frankie returns from the bar with a tray of shots and a mischievous smirk on his face.

“You ready to get fucked up, Grayson? I’ve heard you’re an animal on a night out.” Frankie winks, placing the shots on the table and thrusting one toward me.

“I’m an angel,” I smirk, downing the shot and raising it in the air to Frankie. The liquorice sambuca literally rips at my throat. Fucking disgusting.

Frankie slips in the booth next to Luca, downing his shot.

Luca nudges my ribs with his elbow, sporting a cheeky grin. I follow his line of sight, and three barely dressed women with their fake tits on display walk toward us.

“Really, Luca?”

“Since when aren’t you up for getting laid?” Luca asks, his eyebrow raised.

Good point.Since a certain Sunshine barreled into my life.Since that kiss, I can’t say I’ve been too interested in entertaining other women. I’ve tried, but no matter what I do, I can’t get Maddie out of my head.

“I’m just not feeling it tonight.” I shrug, avoiding eye contact.

“Bullshit. It’s Maddie, isn’t it?”

“No,” I lie, keeping my face straight.

He whacks my arm and laughs. “Grayson’s pussy-whipped. Who’d have thought?!”

Frankie’s head jerks around to me, and he chuckles.

“Who is she? Has she got any hot friends?” he questions, wiggling his eyebrows.

“Shut the fuck up,” I spit out.

“Oh well, more for me.” Luca turns his attention to the girls as they approach our booth, and the two brunettes instantly jump on Luca and Frankie. They’re lapping the attention up as they drape themselves over their laps.

The blonde stands next to me, wearing the tightest, shortest dress known to man. Her tits pop out of the top. She bites her lip as she slinks in the booth next to me.

“Sorry, sweetheart, not tonight,” I say, and she pouts. Ignoring my request, she straddles my lap, her fake breasts now right in my face. Yes, she’s attractive, but the only blonde I want on my lap isn’t here.

“I can change your mind,” she purrs into my ear, and I actually turn my nose up.

The temperature in the room changes. My heart starts fluttering like I’m having a fucking heart attack. The only time I’ve ever felt like this is when… Shit. Maddie.

“I said no. Now get the fuck off me.”

I squeeze my eyes shut and pray she’s not just walked through that goddamn door. The woman finally gets the message and clambers off me. “Fuck you,” she spits as she storms off, brushing right past Maddie.

Maddie’s expression is… detrimental. She gives me a sad smile, turns on her heel, and leaves.

Fuck. Fuck, fuck, fuck.

I slam my fists on the table, the glasses spilling alcohol everywhere.

“For fuck’s sake, Grayson. Go and get your girl before you end up killing someone.”Luca waves me off.

I jump to my feet and sprint after her. I can take a pissed off Maddie; I can even deal with a furious one. But a hurt one, that I can’t deal with.

I push my way through the crowd, searching for those shiny bright blonde locks. It doesn’t take me long. Her head tipped back, mouth wide open, as another man pours a clear spirit into her mouth. All the while his other hand is on her ass.

Furious, I stalk over to her, my fists clenched, using every bit of willpower I have not to strangle this prick touching what’s mine.

Once I reach them, I cough loudly.

“Hi, Grayson, this is…” She raises her brow at the prick.

“Mason.”

“Yep, Mason. And this is my friend, Grayson.”

He gives me a nod and pulls her closer into him.

Not a fucking chance.

“Come here, Maddie,”I growl.

Her eyes widen, but she stays still. That little black dress does nothing to hide how she feels.

“Not now, Grayson,” she snaps, and there’s a slight shake in her voice.

“It wasn’t a question, Sunshine,” I say as I move closer. The prick gets the message and releases his hold on her and steps out of the way. Her back is up against the bar now as I close the distance between us. Putting my hands on either side of the bar behind her, I cage her in. That sweet, flowery scent calms me.

“With me.” I shoot her a look. “Now.”

She rises up on her tiptoes. “Make me.” Oh, here we go.

“You’ll regret that.” I keep my voice low, and she tips her chin up, but the red flush creeping up her neck gives her away.

My bad girl wants to be punished.

Fuck it.

Grabbing the back of her head, I pull her in and crash my lips over hers. Tequila swirls around my tongue. She moans into my mouth, biting down on my lower lip. I hiss in response. My cock’s already throbbing for her. I don’t give a fuck that we’re up against a bar in a nightclub. When I’m with Maddie, she’s all I can focus on.

She’s become an obsession. The light I crave at the end of a dark day. She’s the one and only person on this planet whose happiness means more than anything.

“No one else touches you, Maddie. We literally made this deal a few hours ago.”

Her lips turn up into a mischievous smirk. “I think you need to get that memo too, Mr. I-like-strippers-straddling-me.”

I’m glad she feels the same way as me.

“Trust me, there’s no other woman I want touching me.” I brush my lips along her jaw. “And if you don’t touch me in the next five minutes, I’ll have to drag your ass out of here and fuck you down an alleyway. Your choice.”

Her eyes light up.

She gives me one of her infectious grins and a quick peck. “Good boy. Now don’t piss me off like that again.” I can’t help but laugh and shake my head. Relief washes over me.“Well, what are you waiting for?” she purrs, and that’s all I need. Snatching her hand, I race past the VIP area, swiping the card and entering the office.

A large oak desk sits in the center with a black leather chair.

This will do fine. I drag her in and kick the door closed with my foot, slamming her back up against the door.

Her breathing turns to little pants as I grip her wrists and lift them over her head. My other hand slides down her perfect curves to the hem of her teasingly short little black dress.

Dipping two fingers in, I brush along her bare pussy.

“You mean to say, you let another man have his hands that close?” I grit out, slamming two fingers inside.

“N-no, I wasn’t thinking.”

“Did you want him to do this to you?”

Her head snaps to mine. “What? No. Never.”

Relief washes over me.

“Good girl.” I up the momentum, sliding in a third finger and tightening my hold on her wrists. Her back arches against the door. Her exposed skin tempts me.

Biting down on the sensitive flesh above her collarbone, I suck hard.

“Oh my god, Grayson!” she moans, her chest rising and falling frantically.

When I remove my fingers, her body sags against mine in frustration. Picking her up by the waist, I walk us over to Keller’s massive desk that’s scattered with paperwork and glasses. In one swoop, my hand clears the contents of the desk, and glass shatters all over the wooden flooring.

There’s a bottle of Macallan in the array of drinks stacked on the table next to me. I bring the bottle to my lips and take in a large mouthful.

“Delicious,” I rasp, “but not as delicious as your sweet pussy.”

Placing the bottle on the desk next to her, I bend over and unzip the side of her dress. She lifts her ass up into the air, so I can drag the garment off her body, tossing it to the floor next to me.

“Beautiful,” I say, my gaze scanning all the way up her body, her legs now spread giving me the full view of her pussy, drenched and ready for me. Her rosy buds erect, demanding my attention.

I take her nipple in my mouth and suck. Then, I pick up the bottle and line myself up with her pussy.

“Pour. Let it roll down your stomach. I want to taste you at the same time,” I command, placing the bottle in her trembling fingers.

She does as I say. I hover my mouth above her clit, my eyes focused on the amber liquid rolling between her tits toward me.

“Keep pouring.”

Keeping my eyes pinned on hers, I start to devour her. Twirling my tongue around her clit, letting her sweet juices mingle, drinking her up like a man fucking starved. The more I fuck her, the more drenched she gets.

“Fuck, Baby. There is nothing more satisfying than knowing I can get you this soaking for me.” I barely recognize my own voice.

“Do you want a taste?”

Those dazzling emeralds pierce into me as she bites down on her lip and nods.

With one final lick, I stand, taking the bottle from her hand and knocking back the scotch. Placing the bottle back down, I bend over her, my hands lacing around her throat, my mouth full of liquid.

She licks her lips and opens wide, tipping her head back. Her silky blonde hair cascades down her back. I pour the liquid from my mouth into hers. The muscles in her neck tense under my fingers as I squeeze tighter.

Her throat bobs as she swallows.

“My two favorite flavors.”

She brings her middle finger up to her lip, catching the drop spilling from the corner.

“Now that’s how a man should pour a drink into a woman’s mouth,” she says.

I cock a brow.

“Now it’s my turn,” she says, grabbing onto my shirt to pull herself up.

“Sit.” She points to the black leather chair, pushing me away with her palm.

And fuck, having her boss me around is by far the sexiest thing I’ve ever experienced.

I spread my legs out and she steps between them. Her fingers frantically undo my belt and zipper and release my throbbing cock. She straddles me and laces her fingers around my shaft, lining it up with her entrance.

“Ride me, Maddie. Prove that pussy is mine.”

Her eyes sparkle as she sinks down on my dick. Her walls clamp tight around me. “You are perfect.”

My hands squeeze the arms of the chair as she rides me, thrusting herself up and down. Biting down on her bottom lip, she cups my jaw.

“Fuck me like you own me, Grayson.”

Grabbing her by the ass, I stand and crash her back into the nearest free wall. I collar her throat tight, and she sucks in a breath. Her fingers grip onto my forearm as I start to fuck her. The faster I go, the tighter my grip gets around her neck.

Squeezing my eyes tight, I crash my lips over hers, loosening my grip around her throat so she can kiss me properly.

“Mine,” I grit out between the kisses.

Tingles spread through my entire body as her walls clamp down on my cock. A few more thrusts and I erupt.

“Fuck!” I shout, pouring into her. She reaches her own release as her body violently thrashes against mine. She screams out my name and it’s like music to my ears. I let her take everything she needs from me as my chest heaves.

I rest my forehead against hers, and we try to steady our breaths. Stealing a quick kiss, I regretfully pull myself out of her and place her back.

“Stay with me tonight?” I ask.

She rolls her bottom lip between her teeth, staring at me.

“Fine, but you owe me at least five orgasms before sleep.”

I brush my lips against her cheek.

“Let’s call it six and you have a deal.” I smile against her soft skin and nip, moving back and offering my hand to shake.

She stares at my outstretched hand, then places her dainty hand in mine and shakes with a grin.