Page 44 of The Empress

Without a word, he makes a U-turn and drives us away from the one place on Earth where I used to find peace and rest.

Now it’s filled with fear and sorrow.

Haven will have two to three weeks where she can deal with everything that’s happened. She’ll probably spend all her time with her mother.

The only reason I don’t want Dakota living with us is because I don’t need her fighting me as well. I’ll deal with the mother once I’ve made progress with the daughter.

Cazzo. I’m an asshole.

“You okay?” Massimo asks, worry tensing his voice.

I shake my head, and pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send a few orders to Edoardo, who’s in charge of security at the mansion.

Leo: Make sure nothing happens to my wife. Have Sofia keep the fridge and cupboards stocked with easy-to-prepare meals.

Edoardo: Will do, boss. Is Mrs. Toscano allowed to leave the property?

Leo: Yes, but you and four other men accompany her at all times. I want her home before it getsdark. She’s not allowed to leave the town under any circumstances.

Edoardo: Got it.

Leo: While she’s at home, only you’re authorized to interact with her. If I find out any of the other men have spoken a word to her, the penalty will be death. She’s traumatized enough. I don’t want anyone upsetting her even more.

Edoardo: I’ll make sure they all keep their distance from her while we’re at home.

Leo: Protect her with your life.

Edoardo: I will, boss.

Done, I shove my phone back into my pocket and glance around us. Noticing we’re almost at the airport where my private jet is, I ask, “Do we have any leads on Vito and Sebastiano?”

“Sebastiano was spotted in Sicily. We’re heading there first, while Mattia and his team keep searching for Vito.”

“I want Sebastiano alive. I need to kill someone to get rid of this fucking edgy feeling.”

“Yeah, I don’t think killing someone is going to make any difference,” Massimo mutters. “Want to talk about the shit that’s gone down since yesterday?”

I check the time on the dashboard. It’s been twenty-seven hours since Klodian died and I took Haven.

Twenty-seven hours of me losing my mind and fucking up everything around me.

I need to regain control of my life, or I’m going to end up dead soon.

My tone is a mere whisper. “No. I don’t want to talk about it at all. Let’s focus on work.”

Massimo nods as he brings the SUV to a stop near the private jet where a group of my men are waiting.

I think time away from home will do me good as well. With a bit of luck, I’ll get my shit together before I return to Haven.

Then I’ll have to do some serious damage control and do my best to win her heart.

Chapter 11

HAVEN

I only go back into the mansion after the sun has disappeared.

When I step into the dark living room and pull the sliding doors shut, the lights come on automatically, startling me.