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

I run a hand through my hair as I watch Grayson put an unconscious Rosa in the back of Frankie’s car. The fear in those big dark eyes of hers didn’t give me the thrill I thought it would.

“Boss, let’s go!” Grayson shouts and taps the top of his car, startling me from watching Frankie speed off with Rosa.

I read through the notes that Grayson gave me, and I stared at her pictures for days. Grayson wasn’t lying when he said there were men lining up for her. When I walked up behind her tonight, seeing her in the flesh, I realized the pictures didn’t do her justice. She was dressed up with her long jet-black hair cascading down her back almost to her perfect, round ass. But when she turned to face me and her full red lips brushed against my cheek, my heart actually fucking fluttered.

So much so, I actually debated whether there was time to take her in the bathroom on the way out. I forgot who I was and what I was doing.

I wipe my sweaty palms on my pants and head over to Grayson to slip in the passenger seat of his Audi.

“That was too easy.” Grayson rips off his tie and puts on his sunglasses. “Frankie’s taking her to your place and he’ll put her in the basement. I have big plans with Maddie tonight.”

“Who’s going to watch Rosa? Frankie?”

He side eyes me as we peel out of the parking lot. “Can’t you do it?”

Shit.

“I have to go meet the commissioner. I’ll call in Ramos to help with Rosa for a couple of hours until I get home. Get Frankie on sending the message to Marco.” Digging into the pocket of my jacket, I pull out my pack of cigarettes. Why did a simple grab have my hands shaking like this?

“On it. Shall we send a body part? She doesn’t need all ten fingers, anyway.” Grayson grins at me and looks at me over his aviators.

My eyes go wide. “No,” I reply too quickly.  “What the fuck is wrong with you? You know we have rules, even for bratty daughters of our enemies.”

“I was joking. She doesn’t seem like your typical mafia princess. If anything, she’s running from it.” The dark outline of the club fades in the rearview mirror.

Why is she trying to get away?

“Hmmm.”

I can’t shake this feeling, this weird ache in my chest. This woman is going to wreak havoc on my life.

I check my tie in the mirror and swipe back my hair. Commissioner O’Reilly has summoned me in. Which can only mean one of two things: he wants more money, or he knows something.

I stand and wait by the docks, sparking up a cigarette. The pungent smell of the water slowly hits less as I try to burn it out of my nostrils. Dull shouting and the heavy sounds of machinery are drowned out by his heavy footsteps appearing behind me. I smirk at how recognizable his heavy steps sound. “George.”

“Mr. Russo.”

He stops next to me, and we watch over the cargo ship as the boys load up the latest shipment.

“You have been causing quite the mess out there, Luca.” His knuckles whiten as he grips the rail.

I roll my eyes, taking a drag.

“It’s a busy time. You wanted the Falcones wiped out. Now isn’t the time to start telling me to stop. Is that what you dragged me here for?”

I turn to face him, in his full NYPD outfit, badges lined up. Fucking joke that is our police force.

“The Capris, they’re coming for New York. The Falcones have a shipment tomorrow night. We need you to intercept it. We can’t let Marco or Romano run this city. I won’t let it happen. So, once you take Marco out, you need to make the message loud and clear to Romano that he isn’t welcome here.” George clenches his jaw as he looks out over the ships.

“Why the Capris?” I keep my face deadpan, waiting for his answer. There is always more with him. But he’s caught my interest.

He turns to me, leaning his hip against the rail, and crosses his arms. “They’re the scum of the earth. Arms dealers, human traffickers. You name it, they do it. They need to stay on the other side of the pond with their poison.” As if to emphasize his point, he spits onto the ground near his polished shoe.

“But you work with me?” This guy is confusing sometimes.

“Your father, believe it or not, was a good man. He saved my ass a few times. You are the lesser of two evils, Luca. You’re humane, you respect women and children. You have a heart. That’s why you need to run this city. Not Marco. And certainly not Romano.”

I take in his words and swallow. He doesn’t know I have Rosa tied up in my basement.

“I can do it.”

I’ve heard enough about Romano Capri to know that stealing from him isn’t going to be taken lightly. Like hell am I letting Marco think he can start running guns in my city. If anyone is, it will be me. And it sounds like the commissioner wants to keep it that way.

“You do that. Keep me posted. You know where I am if you need me.” He stands and extends his hand, palm up.

I nod and stub out my cigarette on the gravel and slip out the envelope of money from my suit jacket. “This month’s cut.”

He slides it under the lapel of his uniform and straightens his tie. “Pleasure doing business with you, Mr. Russo.”

I watch as he walks heavily along the docks and into the shadows.