Page 119 of The Empress

When Leo steers the Porsche up a road and I don’t see anything but grass fields, I ask, “Where is this restaurant you’re taking me to?”

He gives me a mischievous smile that has me sitting up straighter. “We’re stopping at a few places before going to lunch.”

What’s he up to?

Fenced enclosures come into view, and when I see horses, my jaw goes slack and my hands fly up to cover my mouth. “Leo!”

He brings the car to a stop, and I throw the door open, jumping out and hurrying toward the nearest enclosure.

“Please tell me we’re here to bid on some of them,” I say, my voice brimming with excitement.

“No.”

My head swings around, my eyebrows drawing together. “Then why are we here?”

The corner of Leo’s mouth lifts. “I already bought all of them.”

“What?” I look back at the enclosures. There are so many horses.

Leo bought them all for me.

I’m hit with an intense wave of gratitude because he saved them, and my chin begins to quiver. I run to my husband and throw myself into his arms, hugging the everloving shit out of him.

My voice is hoarse as I say, “Thank you so much. You have no idea how much this means to me.”

“It’s a little late, but it’s my wedding gift to you.”

I pull back so I can see his face. “This is the best gift ever. There’s nothing in the world I want more.”

I can see he means it when he says, “I’m glad you’re happy,stellina mia.”

Pulling away from Leo, I walk closer to the nearest horse and carefully reach my hand out. Noticing the horse is male, I say, “Hey, boy.”

I wait for the stallion to sniff my hand before I carefully brush my palm over his neck.

As a tear escapes and rolls over my cheek, the stallion nickers, bumping his head against my hand.

“Yeah, I’m here to take you to a safe place where you can be happy.”

He nickers again, and it feels as if his big black eyes look right into my soul.

I hear engines, and when I glance toward the road, it’s to see vehicles with trailers hooked to them.

Leo comes to stand by my side and places his hand on my lower back. “I’ve arranged for the horses to be transported to stables. Want to see the property?”

I give my husband an incredulous look. “You’re just all kinds of amazing. Yes, I want to see it.”

He takes my hand and leads me back to the Porsche.

The first vehicle comes to a stop, and when I see Massimo climbing out, I wave at him. “Thank you so much for helping out today.”

“You’re welcome.”

While I climb into the passenger seat, Leo stops to exchange words with Massimo. I watch as his right-hand man grins at him while patting him on the shoulder.

I need to invite Massimo and his family over for dinner.

I pull my phone out and make a note in my diary so I don’t forget, then grin at Leo when he slides in behind the steering wheel.