All Chapters of Beneath The Mask: Chapter 71 - Chapter 80

Prince POVI was certain I could convince myself it was nothing. That everything we had endured, everything we’d done, could just be shoved back into a dark corner of my mind. In my head, I’d return to the cold, tense status quo. But the longer I pushed him away, the worse it felt, as if I was tearing apart a part of myself in the process.I couldn’t sleep. Two weeks of waking up next to Ghost had conditioned me in ways I didn’t even want to acknowledge. I hated it—the way my body and mind missed him, the way his absence left this gaping void that nothing else seemed to fill. After an hour of pacing, cursing myself, and almost deleting the message three times, I finally pushed myself to text him.And now, here we are.We lie in silence, his arms wrapped around me, grounding me in ways I can’t explain. It’s quiet, but I can feel the weight of his unspoken questions, the ones I know he’s desperate to ask. Ghos

Ghost POVCall me stupid, naïve, or delusional, but I’m determined to use this week to change Prince’s mind. It’s possible. It might take everything I have, but in my head, it’s simple. If I can keep him here, touch him enough, fuck him enough, surely when he tries to go near a woman, he won’t want to? At least, that’s the plan swirling in my mind.I bite down gently on his collarbone, feeling the shiver that runs through him as his hand tangles into my hair. His control is slipping already, and I haven’t even started. My fingers move to unfasten the buttons on his shirt, taking my time as I kiss down the line of his chest. Each small groan, each little intake of breath, spurs me on.He doesn’t stop me. Not once. Instead, his grip tightens, holding me close, like he’s fighting his own inner turmoil. I’ve had my fair share of car hookups, but there’s something about this—about him—that makes it feel entirely different. Prince, though? He’s never done anything like this in a car. That m

Ghost POV“You need to leave Prince alone,” he begins, his voice clipped and deliberate. There’s no anger in it—just raw, unyielding finality. “I don’t agree with it, but I also don’t agree with hurting family. I have fucking morals, Ghost. Which is more than Giovanni can say. If he’s willing to put his own son through that kind of hell, what do you think he’ll do to you? He won’t hesitate to kill you on the spot.”The words hit like a punch, but I keep my expression neutral. He doesn’t understand—he never does. “That’s not going to happen,” I say firmly, my voice steady despite the storm brewing inside me.He sighs deeply, rubbing his face like he’s trying to wipe away the frustration I know I cause him. “Can you not see the destruction this will bring?” he snaps, leaning forward. “I’m not talking about the families at large—I’m talking about us. If Giovanni kills you, I won’t stop until none of them are alive. And no one will survive that war. No one.”His words are ice-cold, but al

Prince POVThe heavy oak door creaks shut behind me, sealing off the outside world. The air inside is thick, weighted with the kind of silence that only my father’s presence can bring. He’s standing there, waiting, like he always is, his face unreadable but his eyes sharp, cutting through me. In his hand, he’s holding out the phone—my phone—like it’s some kind of offering or maybe a test.“Piero’s called multiple times,” he says, his voice low but firm, the kind of tone that doesn’t leave room for excuses. “He’s rearranged your meetings. Next time, take the damn phone.”I don’t reach for it right away. I can’t. That phone is a leash, a tracker, a way for him to keep tabs on me. If he knew I’d been at Ghost’s, there’d be hell to pay. But I don’t have a choice, not really. Not when he’s looking at me like that. I take it, my fingers brushing against the cold metal, and hit Piero’s number.“Boss,” Piero’s voice comes through, steady and familiar.“I’m back,” I say, cutting straight to th

Ghost POVI’m not getting much out of Max. Not at all. I thought the alcohol might loosen his tongue, but all it’s done is make him more obnoxious. He leans over the desk, smirking like he’s enjoying wasting my time.“What did Justin have that helps you?” I ask again, my tone sharp with irritation.Max tilts his head, that same smug grin plastered across his face. “We have a mutual enemy,” he says, the words slow and deliberate, as if they’re some great revelation.That’s all he’s been telling me. No specifics, no names—just this vague, cryptic bullshit. My patience is running dangerously thin, and I’m starting to think I’ve wasted my best liquor on this idiot.“You’ve said that,” I snap, my voice colder now. “But who?”Instead of answering, Max groans dramatically, like I’m inconveniencing him. Then, with zero shame, he pulls off his shirt, tossing it onto the desk like it’s part of some grand performance. “How about we have some fun,” he purrs, winking as his hands move to unfasten