Page 37 of The Empress

“Yes. Dead or alive. It doesn’t matter.”

“I have another meeting. Good luck with the kids and enjoy your vacations,” Cassia says. “All the best for your wedding, Leo.”

“Thanks,” we all mutter before she ends the call on her side, leaving me with Santiago and Dominik.

An incoming call from Massimo grabs my attention. “Talk to you at a later stage.”

Santiago and Dominik nod, and I exit the meeting before accepting Massimo’s call.

“What’s up?”

“I’ve made the arrangements for the wedding. I had to grease a few palms to expedite all the relevant paperwork.”

“Good. Is Father Esposito on board with everything?”

“Yes. I made a donation to the church, he couldn’t refuse.”

Climbing to my feet, I walk toward the stairs. “When is it happening?”

“Whenever you’re ready.” Massimo’s voice tenses. “Are you sure about this, Leo?”

No, but I’m still going to go through with it. The sooner, the better, because Haven might change my mind with that sad expression of hers that turns me soft.

“Yes, don’t ask me again,” I mutter as I take the stairs up to the second floor. “Contact Nicolo and tell him to meet us at the church in an hour.”

“The fuck!” Massimo gasps. “What’s the fucking hurry?”

“Massimo, I’m marrying Haven today so that we can focus our attention on work. Get Nicolo and Haven’s mother to the church. One hour.”

“Okay,” he finally relents.

“Get a white dress for Haven. She’s the same size as my mother.”

He sounds disgruntled as fuck. “Now I have to go wedding dress shopping?”

I soften my tone as I say, “Please, Massimo.”

“Fine. I’ll get everything done. See you at the church.”

We end the call, and I dial my mother’s number while I pull my keys out to unlock my bedroom door. I’ve kept itlocked because I don’t want Haven going through my personal belongings.

“Hello,” Mamma answers.

“Hey, Mamma. The wedding is happening in an hour. Father Esposito will marry us. Have Riccardo take you to the church.”

“Why so soon?” she exclaims.

“I have other work to attend to and can’t be distracted with a wedding. See you in an hour,” I say before ending the call.

A weird urgency fills my veins as I change out of my clothes into a black three-piece tuxedo.

When I’m ready, I tuck my gun into my pants behind my back and shove my phone into my breast pocket.

Leaving my bedroom, I lock behind me before I go to knock on Haven’s door.

When she opens for me, her eyes widen at the sight of me dressed in a tuxedo, and for a few seconds, I see the attraction in her caramel-colored irises.

“It’s time,principessa.”