Distance: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 1)

I’ve led a far from normal life. As I pack Sienna’s final box of belongings into my 4×4, I pause to watch her jog down the last flight of stairs, her messy bun wobbling on the top of her head. I have to admit this is the most normal I’ve ever felt in my life.

The thought of coming home to her every day and snuggling her to sleep makes my chest feel weird; like warm and fuzzy. It’s a completely alien feeling, but I can’t lie, I fucking love it. If that makes me a total pussy, then so be it.

Her smile is infectious. It makes me want to do everything I possibly can to keep it there. I love it. Shit. I love her.

Love. Hell, I don’t know what love feels like. I’d bet all the money I have that this is it. Why else would the thought of her leaving me make me want to puke my guts up?

As I sit here staring out the windscreen, I can’t believe I asked her to marry me. She thought I was joking. I wasn’t. If I can find a way to make her mine for eternity, it’s fucking happening. The pure panic that ran through me when I couldn’t find her after the fight just solidified everything for me.

As soon as I’d finished congratulating Luke, I made my way back to Sienna, only to find an empty seat. I frantically tried calling her over and over but her phone went straight to voicemail. My heart pounding, I race over to Grayson, panic taking hold.

“Fuck, have you seen Sienna and Maddie? They’ve fucking gone?” I shout, catching the attention of the rest of the team, all now staring at me like I’m crazy.

What if Jamie’s hurt her? I’m starting to think the worst.

Grayson grabs my shoulders, shaking me back to reality.

“Dammit Keller, calm the fuck down. I’ll text Maddie.”

Pure fear now takes over, pure desperation to get her home, to get her back to me.

“Look. She’s fine. They’re on their way home,” he says matter of factly as he shoves the phone in my face, showing me Maddie’s message.

What the fuck…

So I’ll settle for living together. For now.

She’s giving us a month trial period, enough time to let Maddie sort out the finances and find a new roommate. She actually asked me how much half the bills would be. I don’t think she quite realizes just how much money I have. Hell, I’m actually debating buying Maddie her own apartment just to ease Sienna’s worries. Actually, fuck it. That’s exactly what I’ll do.

Just four weeks until my unification title fight, four weeks until I’m free. In this moment, everything feels like it’s perfectly fitting into place. The last piece of the puzzle is about to slot right in. But for some reason, I can’t shake the feeling that something is going to shatter everything.

“Champ, everything ok?’ she hums, searching my face from the passenger seat, her fingers curling around my thighs. “Look, if you’re having second thoughts now you’ve seen all the shit I’m bringing to clutter your life, just tell me.” She shifts uncomfortably in her seat. Now that gets my full attention. I want to murder anyone who has made my firecracker feel less than she deserves, who’s given her these fleeting moments of doubt that I wouldn’t want her. She really has no idea.

Tipping her chin up to me with my index finger, I bring my lips down to meet hers. Never in my life have I been pussy whipped. I can’t help it. She brings it out of me. Maybe it’s those goddamn crystals she’s packed.

“Mine,” I mutter simply as I feel her lips turn into a smile.

Revving the escalade to life, I shift into gear and take us home. It’s the first time I truly feel I have one.

“I can’t believe I live here now,” she exclaims, tossing her arms in the air. I can’t help but laugh as I watch her, taking her in. She truly loves this penthouse. She lights up whenever she’s here. It makes me feel in love with the place all over again.

Four exhausting hours later, gone is my black, white, and grey color scheme. Every room now has a touch of her, her fluffy pink pillows scattered over the bed. In fact, the only place that remains untouched is my kitchen. Our kitchen. Which figures as she’s already told me she can burn pasta.

We’re now sprawled out on the leather couch, her head resting on a pillow placed on my lap as we watch our latest murder mystery series, my fingers idly stroking her silky hair.

“I really don’t know what kind of monster can take someone’s life without any remorse,” she rambles, and my whole body stiffens beneath her. It’s a good job she can’t see my face right now.

Monsters like me she means.

The simple statement plagues me with the reminder that this happiness I feel won’t last. There’s no way she could love a fucking monster like me.

“Hmm,” I reply simply and snatch the remote, turning this shit over to the first Christmas film I come across. Love Actually it is. The loud crunching of popcorn stops as her body makes small heaving motions, almost as if she is trying her hardest to hold in a sob. I have no idea what’s going on.

“Baby, are you ok? Are you crying?”

She shakes her head into my lap and brings her hands over to cover her face, hiding from me.

“Shh, it’s ok, whatever it is, just tell me,” I whisper, moving her hands away from her face.

“No, it’s silly. I’m fine, honestly.”

I lift her small frame and she adjusts her legs to straddle me. I take her face between my hands, her red eyes are filled with tears as she sniffles. A snotty laugh escapes as she tries to hide her emotions from me.

“I don’t care if you think it’s silly. Tell me what’s got you this upset and let me fix it,” I say as I chase a tear from her cheek.

She lets out a defeated sigh, avoiding my eyes.

“I just struggle so much with Christmas. I can’t remember ever celebrating with my parents, even when they were together. The only memories I do have are of my mom getting drunk and smashing up any presents that I did get. Now, every year, Christmas just reminds me of how lonely my childhood was, how I don’t have a family.”

My poor girl is almost as broken as me. We both have an emptiness inside us. Until Mrs. Russo, I like Sienna, had never celebrated a Christmas or a birthday. I know how it feels to be unwanted, unloved. I chose to fill my void with darkness. It was too late for even Mrs. Russo to save me.

“Oh Baby, trust me, I know how that feels. Every year I hoped it would be different, that finally, I would have a family to care for me. That was all I wanted for Christmas, really. It never happened. Even by the time Mrs. Russo found us, it was too late. I was already a monster.”

“Oh Keller, I’m so sorry. I wish it could have been different for you. Hell, I wish life could have been different for both of us.”

I nuzzle my head into her neck to try and compose myself for a few breaths.

“Well, how about we start our own Christmas traditions? What if, every year we sit and watch a marathon of films with popcorn? Hell, I’ll even wear a Santa hat if that makes you happy. We might both have had shitty upbringings. Maybe together we can forget about that shit, even if it’s just for a little while.”

A smile forms across her lips as she brings her nose to mine.

“You’d do that for me?”

“I’d do anything for you, Baby. I promise, this year I’ll give you a Christmas that will make you smile, and then every Christmas after that. Deal?”

“Deal.”

I have no clue what I’m doing. All I know is I want to do anything to make this goddess smile.

“Now, if you want to sit and watch this film, I think you better get your pussy far away from my dick. Otherwise, we won’t be watching any of it.”

Her cheeks flush in response as she giggles. Lifting herself off my lap, she swipes the popcorn back up off the floor and moves to sit at the other end of the couch. There’s a mischievous glint in her eyes as she shoves her hand in the box and starts hurling the popcorn at my head, her bubbly laughter filling the room.

I let out a chuckle and shake my head, picking up the stray popcorn on my lap and bringing the sugary ball to my lips. Who eats this sickly shit?

“Oh, is that how you want to play it?” I tease, launching myself across the sofa, caging her underneath me as she tries to wriggle out of my hold, tears streaming down her face as she belly laughs. I tickle her sides. The scene is so funny that I can’t help but laugh. We’re behaving like children, but I’ve never been happier.

“Keller, please! Oh my god, it hurts!” she manages between her fit of giggles.

I bring my lips down to kiss her sweet popcorn flavored mouth, biting down on her bottom lip and giving her a grin. My phone vibrating in my pocket brings me out of my love filled haze and digging it out I see Luca’s name flashing. Reluctantly, I lift myself off Sienna and press a quick peck to her forehead. “I won’t be long baby. I gotta take this,” I say as I hit accept and stroll towards my office.

“Brother.”

“Keller, is now a good time to talk?”

The door clicks as I close it behind me and make my way over to my reclining leather sofa, spotting a new white envelope displayed front and center of my dark oak desk.

“Yes, I’m in my office now”

“We have a problem, Brother.”

Shit.

“The Falcones aren’t backing down. Despite Mario refusing to sell the drugs to them, they’ve made an attempt on our port. A fucking terrible attempt, mind you, but an attempt none the less.”

“Okay, you want me to deal with them?” I scratch my fingertips over the stubble on my jaw.

“No.” His answer is quick. “There’s more,”

“Fucking elaborate then, Luca.” I grit out, starting to lose my patience.

“I had Rico stand watch outside Falcone’s mansion last night to see if any of our fuckers were working with them. You won’t believe this. He saw Jamie, Sienna’s ex, rock up, enter the security code for the gates and stroll straight past the guards. He was there for two fucking hours and left empty-handed.”

I pause, my brain absorbing the information.

What in the fuck would Jamie be doing with the mafia? He has yet to strike me as anyone useful.

“Did you find anything on him?” I question.

“Nothing unusual yet. Clean record. Your typical corporate American Lawyer. We’re missing something.”

Clearly.

“Get the guys back on the search. We need to know everything. I can’t have him putting Sienna in danger with the Falcones.”

“You have my word, Brother. She will be protected at all costs. I’ll get my men on it now and get back to you with an update. In the meantime, keep an eye on Sienna. Just in case we are missing something big with the ex. My guts telling me something off, I just need to pinpoint what it is.”

“Agreed.”

I’m reeling with this new information. I know I have to keep my head straight to protect Sienna.

“Mrs. Russo is coming over for dinner tonight.”

“Hmmm?” he mumbles.

“To meet Sienna. I know you’ve now met her a couple of times already, but I’d like you to get to know her, maybe while my dicks in my pants this time.” I chuckle.

“Of course I’ll be there. You best keep it in your pants the whole time I’m there, or I swear to God.” he threatens, amusement clear in his tone.

“You’ll do what?”

A deep laugh echoes down the line.

“You got me there brother.”

Intrigue getting the better of me, resting the phone on my shoulder, I stroll over to the desk and pick up the white envelope. Peeling out the contents, I come face to face with an A4 print out of me kissing Sienna at the fight. A big red X is etched across Sienna’s face.

What the fuck?

“Keller, are you still there?”

“Fuck, Luca, hang on a sec!”

Scribbled in thick black marker

‘ONLY STUPID MEN HAVE A WEAKNESS.’

Yours is SIENNA ANDERSON.

I drop the paper onto the desk, picking up the desk chair and launching it across the room, smashing into the picture frames hanging on the wall, which smash to pieces across the floor.

“Keller! What the fuck is going on?”

Getting my breath back, scrubbing my hands over my face, my day old stubble scratching at my palms. I bend and scoop up my phone I’ve somehow dropped. Heat builds in my chest and I feel my heart beating hard.

“They know who she is Luca, They fucking know who she is and what she means to me!” Rage burns inside me now.

“What do you mean, they know?”

“They sent a goddamn picture of me kissing her at the fight, with a big ugly red X over her face. Luca. They know who I really am.”

“Fuck,” Luca mutters.

Fuck indeed.

“Don’t do anything fucking stupid, Keller. Keep the beast inside until we have a plan. Do not fucking leave Sienna’s side.”

“I fucking know that, Luca,” I snap back.

“Calm down, Brother. I’ll alert the men and meet at yours. Give us thirty minutes. In the meantime, keep your head straight. Okay?”

My fist is gripping the phone so tight. I can feel it; fury is taking over.

“Fucking words, Keller. Don’t lose it. Not now, Sienna’s there.”

His words snap me back to reality. Sienna.

“Okay.”

That’s all I can muster at the moment. As I cut the call, I make my way back to the light, to the only person capable of bringing calm, and taming the monster. My Goddess.

As I enter the room, her head snaps up over the back of the sofa. Her big blue eyes instantly lower my blood pressure. I remind myself she’s here, she’s mine, she’s safe.

Sinking into the leather couch, I pat my lap. Without hesitation she straddles me. I bury my head into the crook of her neck and with a heavy inhale, I breathe in her sweet scent. The effect is better than any drug on this planet. She leans back and brings both of her soft palms to my cheeks, pulling my face to look at hers. She studies me intently, her eyebrow cocking up. “Is everything okay, Champ? I heard glass smashing and your eyes are wild. You look like you want to kill someone.”

I let out an involuntary laugh. She’s hit the nail right on the head and she doesn’t even realize the truth she speaks.

Bringing my nose to hers, our foreheads touching. I don’t want her looking into my soul, seeing the monster that’s on the edge of exploding out of me.

“Everything will be fine, Baby. I promise.”

I let out an exasperated sigh. It’s now or never. With Luca and his men, the fucking mafia, on their way up to the penthouse, I need to let her in on some of it.

“Talk to me Keller, please.” Her eyes plead with me.

“A threat has been made against you. I need you to trust me when I say no one will fucking touch a hair on your head.” She stiffens, her worried eyes now searching mine.

“What kind of threat, Keller? Was it Jamie?” she whispers, her voice shaking.

“Right now I don’t know. Luca and his men are on their way here now. I should know more soon.”

“Luca and his men? What is he? Some sort of gang leader?” she mocks, searching for an answer.

I don’t respond. I can’t lie to her.

“He is the mafia, Princess.”

“Don’t be ridiculous, Keller. Your brother is not the mafia,” she says, mocking the word.

“I could not be more deadly serious right now, Sienna. He’s the leader of New York’s largest mafia organization. I promise you, he would never hurt you. He’s coming to help protect you, Baby.”

Her brows furrow as she digests my words. She’s sitting on the lap of the Mafia leader’s right-hand man, his hitman. But this is a detail I won’t be revealing today, if ever.

“Right, so you’re telling me the leader of a ruthless gang that murders people is coming here right now, and they won’t hurt me. Riiiight.”

“I would never let anyone, and I mean anyone, hurt you, Sienna. You know that. I told you I wasn’t a saint, I never pretended to be one. Right now, the only thing I care about is keeping you safe. Okay, Baby?”

Fuck. I need her to understand.

“Okay, I trust you Champ. Are you sure you’re okay?” she says as she brings her lips to mine for a soft kiss. My body slightly relaxes into her touch.

More than that, she trusts me.

I smother her in an embrace, wrapping my arms tightly around her delicate frame, almost to remind myself she’s mine. Most women would run a mile with this kind of information. Not my woman. She’s more worried about me than anything else. Never in my life has someone been concerned about how I am. I’ve never felt this kind of love.

“What are you going to do about the threat?” she questions, her voice muffled in my chest.

Hunt down every single one of Falcones’ men and slit their throats, I think to myself as the elevator pings.

“I’ll get the men in the office and then introduce you to Luca. Remember, above all else, he’s a good man and my brother. He’ll do anything to keep you safe.”

I really hope she understands.

She simply nods and climbs off my lap, offering me a hand up from the sofa. That makes me laugh. If I was to take her up on the offer, she’d just fall straight on her face back on the couch. She might be strong for her petite frame, but I doubt she can lift over 200lb. I grab her hand anyway and take all my weight into my glutes as I rise off the couch. Keeping her hand in mine, we walk over to the elevator as Luca strides out, his eyes meeting mine and giving me a quick nod.

The fact that she has my back, that she’s worried about me, stirs feelings deep inside my chest.

Stepping to the side, out walks six of his men. All dressed in black suits, leather loafers and all with their signature slicked back hair. Luca must have warned them not to interact with me in front of Sienna, because they stand there unfazed by me, their faces expressionless.

Bar one fucker, whose eyes are glued to Sienna. He obviously didn’t get the memo. I don’t recognise him. I might stay in the shadows, but I know all of Luca’s men. His eyes are running up and down Sienna’s body, stopping for that second too long on her tits.

My protective instinct kicks into gear. “Office, now!” I bark at them. Their eyes go wide as they shuffle off, out of my sight. The prick smirks at me and carries on walking, and suddenly possessiveness gets the better of me. I turn to a stunned Sienna and guide her chin up with my finger. “Just trust me, okay?” I ask and she quickly nods in return. Then I turn on my heel and stalk over to the prick, stopping him in his tracks. My hand laces around his throat, his eyes go wide in shock as I squeeze tightly on his windpipe.

“If I so much as see you glance in her direction again, I’ll slit your fucking throat and leave you to bleed out on my floor. Now fuck off out of my sight.” Violence drips from my tone.

A smirk creeps up his face as he nods. I loosen my grip and push him away and he slowly steps around my body to follow the rest of the men. I bring my sights back on Sienna, who is still planted in the same spot I left her, flicking her gaze between me and Luca with an eyebrow raised.

Luca breaks the silence with a chuckle. “Always the hot head this one,” he points at me winking at Sienna.

“Really brother,” I cock my brow at him.

Closing the gap between him and Sienna, Luca offers his hand to her. She accepts as he brings her hand to his lips for a quick kiss.

“I’m sorry about this. I’m Luca Russo. It’s nice to finally meet you, formally, and see the woman that’s finally tamed the beast.” He winks at me.

Oh, he has no idea.

She offers him a small smile as she removes her hand at the first opportunity, still eyeing me.

Good Girl.

“It’s nice to meet you too, Luca,” she says sweetly, not an ounce of fear in her tone.

Clapping Luca on the shoulder, I find my words. “Right brother, let’s get to the office before those fuckers start a fight amongst themselves in there.” Luca nods and heads off to the office.

Quickly reaching Sienna, I drop my head to hers.

“Thank you, Baby. Thank you for trusting me,” I whisper. Propping up on her tiptoes, she presses her soft lips to mine for a slow kiss. Fuck, no matter where we are, this woman always has an effect on me.

“Stay in the lounge. I won’t be long. Then we can go back to other more exciting things,” I say with a wink.

“I’ll be ready and waiting Champ,” she quips back with a tempting smile. Stealing one more quick kiss, I reluctantly leave her and head to the office.

The shards of glass crunch under my trainers as I walk into the office. Luca sits in a recliner that’s now back at the desk.

“I see you had a tear up in here, Keller,” Luca grins.

“It was either that or the Falcone’s, so the chair took the brunt of it. For now.”

Luca clears his throat, takes up the picture of me and Sienna and crumpling it in his fist before tossing it in the trash.

“Keller, I have a plan. I can’t risk you before the fight. I can’t let you lose your head and do more damage than good, to yourself, to Sienna, and to us. We’re keeping close tabs on Jamie and the Falcones. They are a weak unit. We will exploit them and take them down. In the meantime, Enzo will keep watch of Sienna when you aren’t with her.” He says, pointing to the prick from earlier who has eyes for my girl.

My fists clench. “I don’t fucking think so, Luca.”

I storm past the men and stare out the window, taking in the skyline, trying to calm the rage inside of me. Usually, this makes me feel powerful, like I can take on the world. Today it does nothing. I simply stare as the world goes by. I know Luca is right. I can’t risk it. They know who I am now, my mask has been stripped. Thoughts of Sienna flood my brain. In that moment, I know what I have to do. Everything I do from this day on is for her and our future.

Everyone in the room is silent. The only noise is the irritating tapping coming from Luca’s zippo against the desk.

“Fine” I huff.

“I want two men protecting Sienna, and it sure as shit isn’t going to be that limp dick,” I say, pointing to the fucker that was eye fucking Sienna earlier. My eyes dagger into his. He doesn’t even flinch. Maybe he isn’t a complete waste of space.

“Enzo stays. He runs the best security service in the country. I give you my word”

“Enzo,” Luca shouts. He snaps his head to him, giving him a slow nod. “Don’t fucking eye up Keller’s woman again, otherwise I won’t be able to stop him killing you. Okay?” Luca tells him, trying to keep a straight face.

“Of course,” the prick responds, offering me a nod. Letting out a huff I nod in response. Fuck it. I know I won’t be leaving her side until this is over, so I will agree. For now.

“Okay, agreed. Keller. I trust you have everything under control here. I’m going to have to skip dinner, things to do, wars to start and all that. I’ll leave Enzo stationed in the building and send over Nico. I’ll speak to you later.”

With that, he stands and clasps his hand on my shoulder, giving it a squeeze, and strolls out of the office. His men follow behind. Leaving me and my rage to fester in an office of broken glass. I turn to the window, and for a moment, watch the sun setting across the skyline. But I don’t see the colors as the darkness creeps in.

A soft knock of the door grabs my attention and I twist towards the door. She peers her head through the gap.

“Can I come in, Champ?” she asks quietly.

“Yes Baby.” Then reality sweeps in.“Shit, be careful of the glass.” I pounce over to the door before she can enter. Swinging it open fully, I lift her under her arms as she wraps her legs tightly round me. She doesn’t need to say anything. Just feeling her heartbeat against my chest is soothing enough.

“Sienna,” I sigh.

“Shhh,” she murmurs, bringing her index finger to my lips.

Never in my 29 years on this planet has someone had the balls to fucking shh me. Yet here she is, a goddess in real life, wrapped around me like a snake, telling me to shh.

I don’t know how I got to this point. But I am so fucking glad I have. With a mischievous glint twinkling in her eyes, her lips form into a grin.

My horny goddess is coming out to play.

She knows me too well.

I’d much rather be buried deep in her sweet pussy than slitting Falcone’s men’s throats, anyway.

“I know you Keller. Fuck now, talk later,” she whispers softly in my ear.

I don’t know whether it’s the way she understands me or the fact I am completely and utterly head over heels for her, but every nerve in my body is standing to attention. It’s hard to hold back the primal urge to slam her against the wall and fuck her into oblivion. I hesitate though, because I want to give her more, more than just a fuck. I want to give her everything.

Taking her bottom lip between my teeth, I nip, my cock straining against my pants.

“I want you in control now, Baby. I am at your mercy, my Queen. Do what you want to me and indulge yourself.”

She’s a natural submissive, but her fiery side tells me there’s more in her, more I can coax out. What better way to show her she owns me than to give my full self over to her?