Page 3 of The Empress

My emotions spiral a little while I hug her back. “It’s okay.”

“It’s not.” She lets go, her eyes filled with concern for me. “Diego says you’re staying for a few days. Do you want me and Corrado to go home with you tomorrow so you can pack a bag?”

I shake my head. The last thing I want is Diego’s mom and dad going anywhere near my house. “I’ll just wear Diego’s clothes. It will only be for two days.”

“You can stay longer,” she says.

I give her a grateful smile. “I know, but it will only cause trouble.”

She lets out a heavy sigh. “Have you eaten?”

No. All hell broke loose at the dinner table.

Lying, I nod. “I’m good. Thanks for everything, Mrs. Messina.”

She nods and watches as I walk to Diego’s room before she heads back to the main bedroom.

Entering Diego’s room, I walk to the left side of the bed and drop onto the mattress with a sigh.

“I have a date with Donna,” my friend says while setting his phone on the bedside table.

My eyebrow raises. “Yeah? You finally wore her down?”

Letting out a chuckle, he slaps my arm. “It’s the other way around. She wore me down.”

“You keep telling yourself that,” I tease him.

The door creaks open, and Carina peers into the room.

“Mamma’s going to be angry,” Diego warns her, but he’s already shifting to make space for her.

“Just for a little bit,” she begs as she comes in with her stuffed unicorn clutched in her hand.

He lets out a sigh. “Fine.”

“Yay!” She hurries to the bed and climbs on, lying down between us. Her big brown eyes sparkle like stars, and the dimple is out in full force as she grins at me.

Diego reaches for the bedside light and switches it off. “Good night.”

“Night,” Carina replies, her voice filled with happiness as she snuggles her way beneath my arm, her unicorn landing on my chest.

My lips curve up, causing the cut to pull and sting. “Night.”

I bring my hand to Carina’s head and gently drag my fingers through her soft hair. I’m an only child, but God, I would’ve killed to have a baby sister like her.

Instead, I live in a cold house filled with guns and violence. My mother is obedient to my father and does everything he says. I don’t blame her, because she’s practically been beaten into submission.

I have Diego and his family.

As I lie awake, I begin to worry about my future. I know my father expects me to take over from him one day, but is that really what I want?

“Leo,” Carina whispers.

“Yes,stellina mia.”

She rubs her cheek against the side of my chest. “I’m glad you’re here.”

“Me too.”