Devoted: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 3)

Smoke meanders from the lit end of my cigarette over the steering wheel before slowly drifting out the open window where I rest my elbow. I take another drag and loosen my tie.

Today started off the worst way possible. A box was delivered two days ago with a gruesome surprise: Nico’s head. My blood boils with the need for revenge.

“How are things looking?” I ask Grayson, as he hands me some of the surveillance pictures he’s taken.

“All good, boss. Should be an easy grab. She’s shit faced most of the time. I’ve never spent so much fucking time in crappy clubs in my life. There are a couple of bodyguards; nothing we can’t take care of, though.”

I nod, a grin forms on my lips as I turn to face him.

“I’d love to see Marco’s face when we take his precious ‘Princess’. We’re going to make that asshole pay.” He might have thought he one-upped us by delivering Nico’s decapitated head to my doorstep. No wonder none of his men had a clue where Nico was, he was probably dead by then. What I have planned is going to rock his world.

“Taking his daughter is a good start. What are your plans with her?” Grayson has a mischievous glint in his blue eyes.

“Depends on how Marco behaves. If he doesn’t back down, I’m not opposed to ridding the world of another Falcone.” I shrug.

Frankie clears his throat in the back seat. When I look through the rearview mirror, I notice my green eyes are bloodshot. I don’t know the last time I slept properly, not since Nico’s death.

He runs a hand through his chestnut hair, and I raise a brow.

“Everything alright back there?”

Frankie is my newest recruit, who has quickly become one of my top guys. He’s ruthless, like Grayson. But has the mafia experience. He worked with Romano Capri in Italy for a few years. The top organization in Europe.

“Is taking his daughter really the best next move? He has backed off since we’ve obliterated nearly all of his facilities. We’ve killed over half of his men. He’s weak.” He slides to the center and pushes a knee against each of the front seats.

“Exactly. I don’t just want him on his knees. He’d come back like cancer. I want him broken, watching everything he loves die. Only then will I kill him.” I can hear my own voice almost crack, trying to contain the rage bubbling inside of me.

“But–”

“How about you remember who the fuck you’re talking to.” I swing my head around to face Frankie. “Do you have a problem with how I lead?” I cut him off.

Grayson sniggers next to me.

I’m doing this so the next time it’s not one of my family. I will always protect them, no matter what.

Frankie chuckles and lifts his palms up in a sign of retreat.

“Glad we cleared that up,” I huff, turning back to Grayson, who is biting back a laugh.

“Shut it.” I don’t have the patience for his humor today. “Okay, so when is it taking place? I need it done yesterday.”

I toss the cigarette butt out of the car onto the driveway of one of our warehouses. I’ve had a complaint about how we’re packing our coke, so I’m about to go in there and slap them into shape.

“Friday. She has plans to go to Trance with a couple of friends. We’re scoping it out tonight and will work out the best course. She seems like she’d take well to you, boss. Just flash her a little bag of the good stuff and she will chase after you.” He gestures at the squat brick building we’re parked in front of.

I laugh. “I won’t have a problem. You don’t think you’re up to the job? Lost your touch on getting women already?”

Grayson runs a hand along his perfectly manicured stubble. “I- Er.” A hint of red works its way over his cheek.

“You’re pussy whipped. I think that’s what you want to say?” I bite back a grin.

“Fuck off, Luca.” Grayson clenches his jaw and stares out the window.

Frankie bursts out into full bellied laughter in the back.

“You two are like a fucking married couple.”

We both turn to look at him. “Don’t be jealous, Frankie. There is room for you. Don’t they call it a throuple now?” I wink at him before turning back to Grayson.

“I’ll be ready Friday. Send over any information you have collected on her. I want to know who and what I’m dealing with. Mafia princess’ can be pains in the fucking ass. I don’t have time for that.”

“Will do, boss.” Grayson nods.

“Good, now back to work. I’m going to go beat the shit out of Ramos. Useless fuck can’t even pack coke right.”

I swing open the door, straighten up my dark suit, and tighten my tie.

Grayson hangs out of the window and calls my name.

“Did you forget something?” He’s waving my black gun in the air with a grin.

Shit.

I need to get my head back in the game. “Don’t kill him. Poor kid is only twenty-one. He’ll get there,” Grayson says, holding onto the Glock.

I roll my eyes and snatch my weapon out of his hands, holstering it in the waistband of my pants.

“No promises. Now, you two fuck off, and get back to work.”