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

I push open the door to my little make-up studio and flick on the lights. Notes of fresh paint still burns my nostrils.

My mom might not think being a make-up artist is a good career, but I am damn good at what I do and I am busy with clients. So, she can suck on that.

I pad over to the messy reception area and re-stack the paperwork. I love Evie to death, but God, is she chaotic. I have another thirty minutes until my client arrives for the day.

My studio has one chair and a LED mirror and a little waiting area with a plush gray velvet sofa to match my dark pink and gray color scheme. I do have a tiny little kitchen out the back which has a coffee machine and mini fridge.

As I wait for the coffee machine to pour, I grab my phone out of my bag. I have never been so sore in my entire life, although, I have never been fucked that hard and so many times in my life.

Hmmm, no new notifications. I sigh, placing it down on the counter. I don’t know why I am expecting Grayson to suddenly behave like my boyfriend. We’re just fuck buddies. Exceptional, mind-blowing fuck buddies. But it’s not as if he’s suddenly head over heels for me and can’t get me out of his mind. Why can’t I get him out of my mind then?

The last couple of weeks, have really changed my whole perception on him. He’s not just a brutish hitman, nor is he the playboy I thought he was. He’s damaged, hurt. But when he’s with me, he worships me like a princess.

My phone pings just as the coffee finishes pouring. My heart rate spikes. Snatching up the phone, I see the G, and butterflies swarm my stomach.

I haven’t heard from him since he slipped out of bed last night. We’ve almost found a normal routine. We spend every evening together, have dinner with wine and watch TV. It almost feels real, too real. I don’t want to seem like a nagging girlfriend. That’s not what he signed up for. It eats away at me a little bit.

It’s Gregory.Disappointment clouds over me.

I swipe open the message and read.

GREGORY

Hey, Maddie. It seems like ages since I saw you last. Do you fancy doing something Friday night? Maybe you could come to mine for a film and take-away.

My fingers hover over the buttons. I really need to cut this off. I know he isn’t the one for me. He is nice enough, but he just isn’t Grayson. My brows furrow as I contemplate my response. Maybe, if I go, I can have the conversation face-to-face with him.

I quickly tap out a response before I talk myself out of it.

That sounds great. I will be at yours around 7pm. Can you text me your address?

He texts back immediately with his address.

The door flies open and Evie barrels in with a bright smile, her pink highlighted hair bouncing around her face.

“Morning, Maddie,” she chirps and throws her coat off and tosses it on the coat rack. “Morning,” I hum, giving her a smile.

“Are we still going out Friday for David’s birthday?”

Shit.

“Crap, yes, did you want to get ready at mine?” I ask, and her face lights up in response. I don’t think she has many friends. If she isn’t at work, she’s studying to become a make-up artist to work alongside me.

“Omg, yes please!” she shrieks, spinning around in the desk chair with her feet in the air, chewing on a pen.

I type a quick text out to Gregory.

Will have to make it later? I have David’s birthday drinks to go to.

GREGORY

No worries, you could always stay at mine if you want?

I cringe at his reply.

No, that’s ok, I have a busy day tomorrow. I have to be at Sienna’s early. Thank you though.

The studio door dings. I walk out of the kitchen area with a bright smile.

“Hi, Francesca, so lovely to meet you.” I extend my hand to the stunning model standing before me. She doesn’t need make-up to be glamorous.

“Hi, Maddie, thank you for booking me in so last-minute. Your work looks stunning. I had to give you a try!”

“Aww, thank you. Let me take your coat. Go, grab a seat. I will be with you in a sec!” I say, helping her out of her black puffer jacket and hang it up on the rack.

My phone pings from the back room. Evie eyes me suspiciously, still chewing on that damn pen. I dart over, silencing the noise. I glance down at the screen and Grayson’s name fills the entire lock screen.

GRAYSON

You left these here, so I’m taking them to the gym with me today.

I cock an eyebrow, scrolling to open the picture he sent.

My hand shoots to cover my mouth as I stare at a picture of Grayson’s gorgeous face filling the screen, my bright pink panties between his perfect white teeth.

A burning blush spreads across my cheeks.

GRAYSON

I’m keeping them, btw.

I squeeze my legs to try and calm the ache forming.

GRAYSON

Are you working all day today?

GRAYSON

Sunshineeeeeeeee.

I don’t notice how much I’m smiling at my phone until my cheeks physically ache.

Evie coughs and brings me back to reality.

I type out a message and hit send.

I finish at 1. Why?

GRAYSON

Lunch?

Sounds good. Call you when I’m finished.

GRAYSON

Don’t miss me too much.

Sounds like you’re the one missing me.

GRAYSON

Ain’t that the truth. See you in a few hours.

The rest of the week flies by. Every day I meet Grayson for lunch. Most days, he jogs over to my studio. Every client has swooned over him. They can’t even hide their attraction to him. I don’t blame them either. That man is something else. Him in his gray sweatpants are enough to make any woman’s panties drenched.

A pit forms in my stomach as I rifle through my wardrobe. Since Sienna moved out, I’ve used her room as a second wardrobe. Just about the only benefit of living on my own.

I need a pretty dress for a night-out for David’s birthday, but not too nice to give Gregory any ideas. Considering I’m about to tell him I don’t want to see him anymore. As the week passes by, my mind is solely taken up by thoughts of Grayson. If he isn’t invading my personal space, he’s invading my every thought.

Grabbing the metallic silver dress, I slip it on, the plunging neckline and spaghetti straps accentuating my cleavage. I’ve already straightened my hair and applied some fake eyelashes with a matching glittery silver eyeshadow. The fact that I lied to Grayson is heavy in my mind. I told him I was going out for David’s birthday, but failed to mention the fact I was going to Gregory’s after. I was relieved when he texted to say he couldn’t meet me today. He said he had work to attend to with Luca. I don’t question him; I don’t want to know. As long as he comes back in one piece. I have an Uber booked to pick me up from The End Zone at 10pm and another to collect me from Gregory’s at 11pm. I don’t want to stay long and this nagging voice in the back of my head is telling me not to go.

Sitting back on the edge of the bed, I tie up my diamante stilettos. My phone buzzes on the bed with Grayson’s name flashing on the screen. I swipe to accept the call and put him on speakerphone.

“Hey,” I say, trying to keep my tone neutral. I’m a crap liar, especially with him. He’s the one person in the world who can read me like a book.

“Hey, sexy,” he drawls, his deep voice making my legs clench together.

“Everything okay?” I ask, twiddling my hair.

Fuck, I’m nervous.

“I’m just on my way to The End Zone. Luca is insisting on a drink. We’ve had a hell of a couple of days. I thought, maybe, I could have you to myself after?”

“Errr—”

Shit, Maddie, think!

“I just started my period,” I blurt out.

“And…”

“W-well, it’s not as if we can actually do anything… you know, sex related.”

He chuckles.

“Do you really think that’s all I want you for?”

“No, but—”

Wait, do I?

He cuts me off before I can even finish my sentence. “No, there is no but. I just want you. I’ve missed you.”

My eyes flutter close at his words. I want nothing more than to snuggle up with my giant and sleep.

“I missed you too.” I sigh.

“Look at us being nice to each other.”

I open my mouth to reply, but he beats me to it. “Plus, there are other holes I could use to my advantage in this situation.”

My eyes go wide as I realize what he means. As if he’s reading my mind, he adds, “Yes, Sunshine, I’m talking about fucking that fine ass of yours.”

“Grayson!”

“I gotta go, I’m outside Luca’s and if I think about your ass anymore, my cock won’t be able to take it, since he’s already throbbing. The last thing I need is the boss seeing me with a hard-on.”

I can’t help but laugh picturing the scene.

“I can’t say I’d be opposed to the idea.”

He sucks in a breath and growls, “Fuck!”

“I’ll see you soon then,” I say in the most seductive tone I can muster and cut the call.

Letting out a deep breath, I run my fingertips through my hair.

How the hell am I getting out of this one?

By the time I arrive at the club, I’m a sweaty mess. It might be spring, but it’s not particularly warm, but the leather jacket I have on is sticking to my arms.

I’m a sweaty mess because I’m nervous.

I slam the car door of the Uber, having spent the entire ride over playing over conversations with Grayson in my mind, trying to plan how to tell him I won’t be going home with him.

“Maddie!” David’s voice shakes me from my chaotic brain.

I didn’t even notice him outside the entrance, puffing on a cigarette. I quicken my steps, my stilettos clicking against the sidewalk.

“Happy birthday, Davey!” I squeal, failing to notice all of his friends around him, watching our interaction.

“Thank you,” he whispers, blowing the smoke into my face as he speaks.

“Come on, let’s go get a drink,” David’s tall, blonde friend shouts, flicking his cigarette on the road and walking into the club.

“Where is Evie? I thought you were bringing her tonight?” David asks, and I sense a slight interest in my bubbly receptionist.

“She’s meeting us here. She had to take her dog to the vets. It sounds like someone might be interested in a certain pink-haired receptionist.” I wink, nudging him with my shoulder. Not that it budges him in the slightest. David is a six-foot, athletic man, complete with a six-pack. Although, I’ve always had my suspicions, it’s not just women he’s into.

His cheeks flash a rosy pink color.

“Oh, shut up, Maddie.” He chuckles, taking one last drag and dropping the butt to the floor.

“I’m only teasing. Come on, the birthday boy needs a tequila and so do I.”

He loops his arm in mine and we walk over to the bouncers. I’ve been here enough times now for them to know me.

“Do you want to tell me what’s up?” David asks before we enter the double doors into the club. I shake my head and take off my jacket, handing it to the bored-looking redhead at the desk.

“Maybe later,” I shrug.

I am not sure I can even explain the predicament I have gotten myself into.

I’m about to tell a perfectly nice man that I don’t want to see him anymore, because I want an ex-marine, mafia hitman to fuck me into next week.

After all the years I’ve gone on and on about finding Mr. Perfect to marry, David is going to laugh in my face when I tell him. And right now, I don’t think I can face it.

David pulls open the doors. Blaring music and crowded place greet us. The sweat and booze waft through the air. My body heats as soon as we step in and head toward the bar. I divert past the busy dance floor, keeping my eyes focused on the bar as David grabs my hand and pushes us through the crowd. Bodies bash against my shoulder as we walk.

I scan the room, just waiting for Grayson to appear. I doubt he’d be out here with the rest of us. I’ve never really seen him outside the VIP area. I know he will be watching me. Those booths have a direct view over the bar and the dance floor.

I need a drink. My mouth is so dry I can barely swallow.

We finally reach the bar. I prop my elbows up on the sticky surface. The young, dark-haired bar man gives me a sexy grin and walks over, leaning over the bar. “What can I get for you?” His breath hits against my cheek.

“Two shots of tequila, one sex on the beach and a rum and coke, please.”

He nods and makes our drinks, never leaving his eyes from mine. I shuffle uncomfortably on my feet as he pours the shots and slides them across the bar. I grab mine and down the contents in one. I let the alcohol burn its way down. When I try to pay through my card, he places his hand over mine. “Drinks are on me tonight,” he rasps, giving me a wink.

Oh, hell no.

“Thank you, but no. I want to pay for my drinks, please.”

He leans over the bar.

“I can think of other ways you can pay.”

I immediately take a step back, gritting my teeth. “Are you fucking serious?!”

“What makes you think I want to have sex with you for a fucking drink! In fact, what gives you the right to even ask me that? You are an absolute asshole.”

David grabs my arm and pulls me back.

My cheeks heat as everyone eyes me. “Oh, and don’t expect to have a job tomorrow morning. After I tell Keller about this, you won’t be stepping a foot back in here.”

“Fuck tomorrow morning. He’s leaving now,” a deep, husky voice booms behind me.

The barman pales as he looks behind me and backs away.

My Grayson.

I spin around to face him, and my nose brushes against his shirt.

“One second, baby,” he says, pressing a quick kiss to my lips, before leaning over the bar and grabbing the horrified-looking bartender by the throat and dragging him over the bar. I gasp as he slams his body to the floor.

Seeing Grayson get all authoritative and caveman on me makes me hot. He steps over him and picks him up by the throat.

“Get the fuck out of here before I strangle you to death, you piece of shit.” Grayson seethes. The barman quickly scuttles off, clutching his throat, without so much as a glance back. Grayson cups my jaw and brings his lips over mine.

“I had that under control.”

“I know you did. I was simply reiterating the message for you. I know first-hand how scary you can be. But I can’t have you stabbing a man in the eye with a stiletto tonight.”

“I save that just for you.”

“You have no idea how hot it makes me when you get all riled up.” His index finger trails across my jawline and down my neck. The only person I can focus on is Grayson and his touch. He leans in, his lips skimming past my cheek. “I want to do very naughty things to you, Sunshine. For being such a good girl.”

The burning desire has me on the edge as he speaks. At this point, he could just touch my clit and it would send me spiraling over.

“And what if I’ve been a bad girl?” I take his bottom lip between my teeth and pull it.

“Then I’ll have to take you home and show you.”

“I promised I’d celebrate with David tonight. How about you go back with Luca and I’ll meet you in the VIP area at 11? Then we go home? I need to at least have a few drinks with them to celebrate.”

I have no intentions of following through; I need to slip out of here somehow without him seeing me. I know trying to trick an ex-marine is not the best idea, but it’s the only one I have right now. I just need to get this over with and deal with the consequences later.

“Fine, I can’t leave Luca until Frankie turns up anyway.”

I press a kiss to his lips. I just need to tame the monster for a couple more hours, and maybe he won’t even know I’m missing. I can hope.

“See you in a couple of hours, Sunshine. Remember, be a good girl. And no one touches what’s mine.”