Page 26 of The Empress

Lost sobs shudder from her, her eyes swollen red and drowning in sorrow.

I tilt my head and promise, “I’ll always make sure you lack for nothing. You have my word that we’ll all take care of you.”

She begins to sob uncontrollably again, and it has Maurilio holding her tight in an attempt to comfort her.

Locking eyes with him, I ask, “Will you stay with her for a few days?”

He nods while rubbing his hand up and down her back. “I’ll help make the arrangements for the funeral.”

Carlotta lets out a wail, and her legs give out beneath her. Luckily, Maurilio has a tight hold on her. He moves her to a couch and helps her to take a seat.

The sight of Klodian’s widow crying her heart out isn’t easy to watch, and it makes the need for vengeance surge through me.

My eyes flick to Massimo. “Any word on whether Luciano survived?”

“He’s still alive,” my right-hand man mutters as he stands up.

“Cazzo,” I snap while I turn around and walk out of the house. I should’ve made sure I killed the fucker instead of getting distracted by Haven.

I fucked up today.

Massimo joins me in the front yard, and giving me a confused look, he asks, “What are you doing, Leo? Why did you take the girl?”

“Woman,” I correct him. “She’s twenty-three.”

“Seriously?” he snaps at me. “What the fuck is going on with you?”

Shoving my hands into my pockets, I shake my head. “I have no fucking idea.”

“Why did you take her?”

I shrug as I meet his eyes and give him the only answer I have. “I can’t place my finger on it, but there’s something about her that draws me in like a moth to a fucking flame.”

Massimo lets out a sigh, his gaze boring into mine. “Are you really going to marry her?”

I intend to say no, but it’s not the word that leaves my mouth. “Yes.”

“Gesù Cristo,Leo. Are you fucking with me right now?”

Turning away from my right-hand man, I head to my car. “I’m going to check on Raffaele and Andrea.”

“They’re fine. I’ve already checked on them. They’ll be back at work in a week,” he informs me. I hear his footsteps behind me, and as I open the car door, his hand grips my shoulder. “Leo, talk to me.”

Letting out a sigh, I glance at him. “What do you want me to say, Massimo?” I turn my body to face him. “I took Haven, and I’m going to marry her.”

Looking as confused as I feel, he asks, “Why?”

“I have no fucking idea why.”

He shakes his head, worry tightening his features. “You’ll tie yourself to Nicolo.”

I know. I don’t like the idea one bit.

I suck in a deep breath and glance over the yard before I meet Massimo’s concerned gaze again. “Arrange everything for the wedding. The sooner the better.”

Massimo stares at me for a tense moment, then he nods. “Send me a photo of her passport.”

“Okay.” I open the car door and climb into the cab. Glancing up at him, I ask, “Have you heard anything about Vito or Sebastiano?”