Page 110 of The Empress

She lets out a huff. “Fine. I think Kristen will like Edoardo. I just want to give her some time alone with him on the flight because he’s all work while he’s here.”

I bring my hand up to grip her jaw. “Yes, Edoardo is single, and I’ll send him, but that’s enough talk about them.”

I crush my mouth to Haven’s and kiss her until I’m sure all her attention belongs to me.

Chapter 28

HAVEN

I’ve been nervous and excited since Leo told me he has all my family’s belongings in storage.

While we walk down a hallway toward the units, my phone beeps and I quickly dig it out of my handbag.

Opening the screen, I grin when I see a text from Kristen.

Kristen: Are you sure I don’t have to go to the airport? What about customs and shit like that?

“Kristen is worried about customs,” I tell Leo.

He comes to a stop and takes my phone from me. My eyes grow wide when he begins to send a voicenote, saying, “Hi, Kristen. This is Leo, Haven’s husband. Don’t worry about a single thing. My men will deal with everything.” He checks the time on his wristwatch. “Edoardo will be there in the next two hours. You can trust him. He’ll take good care of you.”

As he hands the device back to me, he grins proudly. “That should set your friend at ease.”

I glance down at the screen and watch as it shows Kristen is recording a voicenote, and when it comes through, I press play.

“Hi Leo, this is Kristen, Haven’s best friend, also known as ‘her favorite person’. Thanks for arranging everything. Just a heads up, you and I will have words once my butt is in Italy.”

“Crap,” I mutter. I give Leo an apologetic look. “It’s because she loves me.”

“Don’t worry about it.”

Another voicenote comes through as we start to walk again, and when I press play, Kristen says, “This is for your ears only, Haven.” I lift the device to my ear, but Leo grabs my wrist to stop me, and then my best friend shrieks, “Holy fucking shit! His voice is scorching hot. Damn girl. No wonder you’re not trying to escape. I was over here going, ‘yes, sir, whatever you say, sir.’ Please send me a photo of him so I can get over the shock before I meet him. The last thing we need when I want to slap Leo upside the head for forcing you to marry him is me drooling over your husband.”

Leo lets out a burst of laughter, and wrapping an arm around me, he orders, “Kiss me.”

“What?”

“Kiss me so your friend can see I’m yours. I’m going to take a photo.”

When he taps on the camera icon, I grab hold of his shoulders and kiss his jaw so his face is visible in the photo.

Letting go, I take the phone from him and look at the photo. Damn, he has that smirk on his face that makes me turn stupid.

I press send and wait for Kristen’s reply. A few seconds pass before my entire screen fills with flame and sweaty face emojis.

Kristen: I want a hot Italian man, too. Does he have any friends?

Haven: One is on the way to you as we speak. Just be patient with Edoardo. He’s a little broody.

Kristen: You sent a broody, hot Italian guard? I knew you loved me.

“Come,principessa,” Leo says while placing his arm around me and leading me down the hallway.

I type out another message quickly.

Haven: Let me know when you’re on the plane. Love you!

We turn right, then Leo stops and keys in a code. I glance at the other units and see they all have locks.