Detonate: A Dark Mafia Romance (Beneath The Mask Series Book 2)
Detonate: Chapter 22

“You’re a fucking monster, Grayson. I hate you!” My voice rises an octave as my body trembles.

He steps over the dead man and wraps himself around me. I push against his chest with all the strength I can muster, but it’s no use. He doesn’t move, he doesn’t let me go. He’ll never let me go.

“You’re right, Sunshine. I am a monster. But I’m your monster.”

“I’m so fucking sorry,” he adds, closing his eyes, like he doesn’t want to look at me. I know he’s not apologizing for the dead body.

“If you’re sorry, get the fuck off me and take me home.” My arms are still glued to my sides, my fists clenched.

He sighs and releases me. I dart under his arm and run. He catches up with me, grabbing my arm. Without a word, he walks us to his car and swings open the door. I get in, and he slips into the driver’s seat. I stare out the passenger window and all I can hear is his ragged breaths. It’s making me feel stabby.

The car ride passes in silence. I can feel every time he glances over at me as my skin prickles. I suck in a breath when his hand skims my thigh.

“Get. The. Fuck. Off. Me.” I spit out each word without looking at him. My blood boils at his touch. Not able to stand the noise of him breathing any longer, I turn the volume of the music up to full blast.

We pull up outside my apartment, and before he even fully stops the car, I fling open my door and get out, almost stumbling on the curb.

“Fuck it,” I hiss, straightening my spine and run to my building without so much as a look back at him.

I sprint up the stairs, my lungs burning as I reach my apartment door. I go to get my keys out of my bag—

No, no, no.

Fuck.

I don’t have my bag. I slam my hands against my apartment door and rest my forehead against it. I can barely catch my breath. Tears spill from my eyes like a waterfall. The fear, the anger, it all merges into one explosion of emotions.

The air suddenly shifts behind me. My hair stands on end. He’s here.

I don’t have the energy to even turn round. I don’t want him to see me like this. A fucking mess. I don’t want him to know how badly he’s hurt me.

He spins me around, holding me steady around the waist. His touch burns deep into my core. His icy blue eyes search mine.

He leans over me and the click of the lock fills me with relief. I jolt out of his hold, snatch my keys, walk into my apartment, and slam the door shut. I slide along the door, falling to the floor and cradling my knees into my chest.

The room starts to spin as I let it all out. Barely able to catch my breath amongst the sobs, almost hyperventilating.

The door rattles against my back.

“Sunshine, let me in,” he shouts.

I don’t move. I just can’t.

My heart beats so ferociously, a lump forms in my throat. Fuck, am I dying? Panic grips me as I bring my hand to my chest and press hard. Stars form in my vision. I bring myself onto all fours, my lungs heaving.

“Help me!”