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His Request

last update Terakhir Diperbarui: 2025-02-18 21:06:01

Prince POV

I look at him and wait.

“To call a truce,” he begins, pacing slowly as he speaks. “My brother’s actions were reckless. You see, we did not know it was your items on that dock. We assumed it was Moretti’s. After all, it is their dock.”

I nod once but don’t respond. I let him talk, let him say everything he needs to. While he does, I dissect his every word, weighing each one, watching his body language, searching for the play he’s making. Filipe isn’t the type to waste words or hold back what’s on his mind, which is both an asset and a flaw.

“We have an arrangement with you, Prince,” he continues, his tone shifting to something more conciliatory. “The De Luca family offered us a patch, and we took it. So why would we risk that by stealing your shipment?”

He sets his glass down on the small table beside him with a deliberate clink, glancing at me as though waiting for some kind of response. I give him nothing. I sit back slightly, twirling the blade of my knife between my fing
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  • Beneath The Mask   His Jealousy

    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

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   Him Claiming Me

    Ghost POVHis steps are heavy and purposeful, each one slamming into the pavement as he gets closer to his estate. My patience snaps. “You do realize I’m still following, right?” I call out. “I’ll walk right through the front door and show everyone if I have to, but I’m not leaving until you let me fucking explain.”His body stiffens, his shoulders rising and falling with ragged breaths. He’s shaking with rage, his whole frame taut like he’s barely holding himself together. And I’m still fucking lost. I don’t know what the Calino crew told him, or why he’s this pissed off, but I’m damn well not leaving until I get answers.“Go home, Ghost. I’ll deal with your father, as I’m sure he’d love to know what you’ve been up to,” Prince snaps, his words cutting like glass as he strides away.Sighing, I rush to catch up to him, my patience wearing thin. “I’m not leaving until this is sorted. So, you’ve got a choice. I follow you through the front door where everyone sees, or you stop this stubb

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   His Childish Behavior

    Prince POVI want to argue that I wasn’t jealous, that my anger and rage tonight had nothing to do with seeing Ghost with someone else, but it’s a lie. I flipped long before I knew who Max was. The second I saw him leaning over Ghost, shirt off, too close—it was like something inside me snapped.Now the room is quiet, the tension suffocating. I sit with a glass in hand, staring at the liquid swirling within, trying to avoid the conversation I know is coming. I can’t even process what happened back there. I don’t get jealous. I’ve never been the type. Hell, I told myself I could walk away from Ghost, ignore him, and watch as he moved on to other men. I swore it wouldn’t matter.That was a mistake.The jealousy clawed its way in before I even realized it, and now it’s settled deep in my chest. Even sitting here, knowing it was nothing, I can’t shake it. It’s not just about tonight—it’s the thought of Max getting there first, the thought of him having Ghost in ways I haven’t yet. And the

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   Sorting Business Things

    Prince POVI lean back in my chair, taking a moment to steady myself before speaking. “Felipe didn’t just stop at bargaining for land or docks. He threatened my family—my mother, my sister. He said he’d kill one of them if I didn’t give him what he wanted.”Ghost straightens in his seat, his usual smirk gone. His expression hardens as he stares at me, his hands clasped tightly in front of him. “He said that?” His voice is low, almost dangerous.I nod, my jaw tightening as I recall the conversation. “He made it clear. He wants land, and he’s not going to stop until he gets it. Said he’d retaliate if I didn’t cooperate.”Ghost doesn’t speak right away, so I press on. “I didn’t bend. I told him I don’t respond to threats, that I’m not my father, and he won’t intimidate me. But Felipe isn’t the kind of man to let that slide. Within the next week, he’s going to react. He’s going to do something to try and force my hand.”I pause, glancing at Ghost to gauge his reaction. His jaw is tight, h

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   Needing Answers

    Ghost POVI know exactly what Prince meant when he told me to leave. But since when do I ever follow orders? Especially his.It doesn’t take much for me to slip through the halls, moving like a shadow past the Capo, soldiers, and whoever else is lingering around the estate. If I weren’t so damn good at this, I’d probably be impressed by myself. But I am good at this. Always have been.By the time I make it to his room, I’m grinning. Not getting caught? That’s a fucking achievement with how heavily guarded this place is.Now, I wait.At least, that was the plan. But after thirty minutes, I’m bored out of my fucking mind. So I do what any sane, nosy bastard would do—I start looking through his stuff.Not because I expect to find anything groundbreaking. Just because I can.I start with the obvious places. His walk-in wardrobe is exactly what I expected—sharp suits, expensive shoes, neatly arranged shirts. Not a single thing out of place. No hidden stash of anything remotely interesting.

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   Women

    Ghost POVMy grip on him tightens slightly, and he notices.I hate this. I fucking hate this.But I need to know.“Why are you suddenly not smirking like the typical asshole you are?” Prince asks, a smirk of his own playing on his lips.I don’t respond right away. Instead, I glance at him, my jaw tight, my thoughts spiraling. Finally, I mutter, “Women.”His smirk widens into a full-blown laugh. “You’re jealous of women?”I nod, unapologetic. “Yeah. I’m not afraid to admit it. I don’t get it, so explain it to me, because for me, it makes no fucking sense.”His expression shifts. The teasing fades, and something else replaces it—hesitation. His lips press into a firm line, and for a moment, it looks like he’s fighting a war inside his own head.I wait, watching, giving him the space to respond. But when no answer comes, frustration coils in my gut.“Why women?” I ask, my voice lower now, demanding but not pushing too hard. “What part of it makes you like them? Enjoy touching them?”His

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   His Request

    Prince POVLast night replays in my mind like a sickness I can’t shake. It isn’t just last night, though—it’s everything. My entire fucking life is looping in my head like some cruel joke, mocking me for how twisted and fucked up this all is.I never questioned it. Never looked too deep. I did what I had to do to survive, because what other choice was there? Sit down and analyze every fucked-up thing that happened? Pick it apart piece by piece and try to fix myself?Was there even anything to fix?Ghost thinks so. He looks at me like I’m broken. Like I’ve been conditioned, molded into something I’m not, and I just don’t see it. But I was fine. I am fine. I’ve survived this long without needing to question it. Without needing to dig.Except I wasn’t fine, was I?Because now that I have, now that he’s made me—everything is coming apart.I lied. Not just to Ghost, but to myself. To every woman I’ve ever been with. I told them I liked men too, made myself believe I was being honest, but I

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18
  • Beneath The Mask   Just Our Time

    Prince POVGhost must see it, because his posture relaxes slightly, his shoulders losing some of that tension. “Good,” he murmurs. “Because next time, I’m breaking your fucking nose.”A small, bitter laugh escapes me before I can stop it. “That’s fair.”The room falls into silence again, but it’s different now. He’s not watching me the same way, not waiting for me to explode or snap.Still, there’s something between us. Something raw.Ghost shifts, propping himself up on one elbow. “What’s going on in that head of yours?”I shake my head. “You don’t want to know.”He quirks a brow. “I do, actually. That’s why I asked.”I exhale through my nose, my mind still clawing at itself, my stomach still twisted in knots. “It’s just… a lot.” I pause, dragging a hand through my hair. “Everything’s just fucking… a lot.”Ghost watches me carefully. “Last night?”I nod, but that’s only part of it. It’s everything. It’s the past. It’s what I want. It’s what I should want. It’s the fact that for the f

    Terakhir Diperbarui : 2025-02-18

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  • Beneath The Mask   Happy

    Ghost’s POVThe estate hums with a quiet, controlled energy. It’s not like before, not the constant shifting of power, the tension of men waiting for orders, unsure of where their loyalty should fall. No, this is different. This is stability, control. The kind of power that comes when every loose end has been tied, every move made with precision.Six months ago, the chaos of merging two families under one name seemed impossible, but here we are. There was bloodshed, betrayal, battles fought in the dark, but in the end, the Moretti name swallowed everything whole.And Lorenzo stands at the center of it all, like he was always meant to.It still feels strange sometimes, calling him that. For so long, he was Prince—an untouchable force of nature that crashed through my life and ruined me in the best fucking way. But he doesn’t go by that anymore. He stripped that name from himself the same way he burned away everything tied to his past.Prince was the name his father put on him, and it t

  • Beneath The Mask   Strange

    Prince POVThe hum of the jet is steady, almost soothing, and for the first time in a long time, my body doesn’t feel weighed down by expectation or responsibility. I should be thinking about everything we left behind, the work waiting for us when we return, but all I can focus on is Ghost’s warmth pressed against my side.I swirl the whiskey in my glass, watching the amber liquid catch the soft lighting. My head is clearer than it’s been in weeks, and maybe it’s the altitude or the silence between us, but I know this is the moment to say what’s been lingering in my mind.“I forgive you.”Ghost stills beside me. His arm, draped lazily over my shoulders, tenses. He doesn’t speak right away, just tilts his head slightly to look at me.“You forgive me,” he repeats, as if testing the words, trying to make sense of them.I nod, setting my glass down. “Yeah. For the kidnapping, for everything. I hated you for it, Ghost. I wanted to fucking kill you for it, and I won’t pretend I didn’t. But

  • Beneath The Mask   For Him

    Ghost POVThe past few weeks have been hell. Chaos, tension, and the never-ending grind of fixing what was broken. Prince has spent every second of the last week since we married solidifying his hold, making sure his men follow him, and reclaiming what was his. At the same time, my father has been preparing to hand everything over to me.There’s one thing we haven’t spoken about, though. Something I’ve already discussed with my father. Even though I’ll be taking over soon, his opinion still holds weight.Running two separate families, keeping our business dealings apart like we’re enemies, seems fucking stupid. We’re married, we live together, and our men are already working alongside each other. Keeping it divided is like clinging to something outdated, something that doesn’t fit the reality of what we are now.It’s a conversation I need to have with Prince, and now, with the meal winding down and everyone moving into the other room to drink, it’s time.I place a hand on his arm, sto

  • Beneath The Mask   Showing My Strength

    Prince POVIf I’m going to lead, if I’m going to secure my place, I need to make sure there’s no doubt about where I stand. And I need to make damn sure everyone else knows it too.The man shifts in his seat, trying to keep his posture straight despite the way his arms are bound behind the chair. His lip is swollen, blood smeared across his jaw, but his eyes—they’re what piss me off the most. He isn’t scared. He should be.I exhale slowly, my fingers flexing at my sides. “Let’s skip the bullshit. You don’t like me. I get it. You wanted someone else to take over, and now you’re sitting here bleeding while I stand in front of you.” I tilt my head. “Tell me, how do you think this ends?”His jaw tightens, but he doesn’t answer.Ghost leans against the wall, arms crossed, watching. He’s letting me handle this, letting me take the lead. I can feel his gaze on me, assessing, waiting to see what I’ll do.I crouch down in front of the man, resting my elbows on my knees. “Loyalty,” I say, watch

  • Beneath The Mask   Focusing On Work

    Prince POVA week has passed since the meeting where the men accepted me as their boss. The tension that had been thick in the air that day has finally settled, and everything seems to be running smoothly. No one is openly challenging my authority anymore, and while there are still some lingering doubts in certain circles, no one dares to act on them. Not yet, at least.Ash has been on top of things, making sure operations are running like clockwork. The businesses are stable, the money is flowing, and the ports are secure. The men who had hesitated before have either fallen in line or disappeared quietly, knowing that their loyalty isn’t up for debate.I should feel accomplished. I should feel like I’ve won. But the truth is, I don’t feel much of anything.My mind is still scattered, still tangled in everything that’s happened. I haven’t touched alcohol since the poisoning, though the urge is there. Not because I need it to function, but because I need something to dull the thoughts

  • Beneath The Mask   His Strength

    Ghost POVPrince stands at the head of the table, his face unreadable, his hands resting lightly against the dark wood. He’s composed, but I can see the way his fingers tighten slightly, the only sign of the exhaustion clinging to him. This isn’t about cigars. It’s about control. Power. The future of his leadership.I stay just behind him, watching, listening. This is his moment. I won’t interfere unless I have to.“You all know why we’re here,” Prince starts, his voice steady, controlled. “Giovanni is dead. I’ve taken over, and I have no interest in forcing anyone to stay who doesn’t want to. But if you do stay, things will be different.”Some of them exchange glances, but no one speaks yet. They’re waiting, listening.“I’m offering each of you more than you had under Giovanni. Five percent of the profits from the territories you oversee. It’s not just a paycheck—it’s a direct stake in what you build, a reason to keep this family strong. That is what I’m offering.”His words settle o

  • Beneath The Mask   His Men

    Ghost POVPrince is useless right now, as bad as it sounds. He stuck around, tried to help, but every time he spoke, he made things worse. His Capo kept looking at him like he had lost his damn mind, caught between respecting him as their boss and questioning if he was in any state to be leading them.So now, he’s asleep again. And honestly, it’s for the best. He needs to be sharp when he meets with the men later. I’m trying not to overstep, just handling the basics and making sure everything runs smoothly. Any requests for meetings, deals, or negotiations have been pushed back a few days.His men were standing around like they had no fucking clue what to do. It makes me wonder how Giovanni handled them. If this happened on my side, my Capo would have been quick to clean up the mess, eliminate any threats, and get everything back in order before anyone even had a chance to notice.The De Luca Capo, on the other hand, just stood there dumbfounded. It took me outright ordering them to g

  • Beneath The Mask   Letting Him DO IT

    Prince POVMind is useless as I scramble for an answer.“The arms dealer,” I continue, my voice flat. “He’s got direct supply lines to some of the best weapons in the country. Losing him doesn’t just mean weaker defenses, it means weaker offense. If a war starts and he’s not backing me, I’m going in blind while the other side is stocked.”Ghost nods again, like he already expected that answer.“Then the street boss,” I mutter, rubbing my forehead. “He manages all the foot soldiers. If he doesn’t pledge to me, I lose bodies. Numbers. Without him, I’ll have the higher-ups but no one left to actually enforce my rule.”I exhale, my fingers pressing against my temples. “And then there’s the club owner. He’s the one who controls the places where all these deals go down. The meetings, the payments, the contracts. If he refuses to align with me, I lose neutral ground. I lose the space to negotiate, to work things out before they turn bloody.”Ghost watches me, waiting for more, but my mind is

  • Beneath The Mask   Main men

    Prince POVWaking up feels disorienting, my body lighter than before, but my mind sluggish, struggling to piece together how I even got here. The last thing I remember was leaning into Ghost, his warmth steady against mine. Did I really fall asleep on him? That doesn’t feel like something I’d let myself do, not after everything. Yet, here I am, lying in bed with no memory of moving.Sitting up, I drag a hand down my face, trying to shake off the remnants of exhaustion. My limbs feel less like dead weight, but there’s still a heaviness in my chest, an ache deep in my muscles that refuses to fade completely. The poison may be wearing off, but the effects still linger beneath my skin.I push the blankets back and move to the bathroom, needing something to ground me. The hot water pelts against my skin, steam curling around me as I let the shower rinse away the last dregs of weakness. By the time I step out and dress, the fog in my mind has lifted slightly, but the weight of everything st

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