Page 49 of The Empress

Probably guns.

I shudder at the thought and head back down to the first floor.

I find the remote for the huge-ass TV mounted on the wall, and taking a seat on the couch, I try to figure out how it works.

I’m not used to being alone. Usually, I’m either with Mom or Kristen, so the silence in the foreign house makes me feel lonely as hell.

After spending minutes trying to find a channel to watch, I give up and switch off the TV.

Suddenly, I hear the front door open, and I jump to my feet. I rush to the stairs, and seeing an armed man, I let out a shriek and hurry back up to the second floor.

“Mrs. Toscano!” the man calls out, but I don’t wait around to hear what he has to say. I rush into my bedroom and slam the door shut before locking it.

With my breaths bursting over my lips, I shove the dressing table back into place.

God. Was that one of the many guards I’ve seen out in the front yard, and if so, why did he come into the house when Leo’s not home?

Shit. Do I have to worry about Leo’s men hurting me?

Chapter 12

LEO

I grab Carina and toss her over my body so she lands on the floor at the side of the bed.

Darting up, gunshots ring through the air. I roll over and fall on top of Carina.

I take in her scared face, but when I blink, Haven stares up at me.

“L-Leo,” she sobs, terror etched into her features.

Realizing I’ve destroyed her, unspeakable pain tears through me.

“Leo!” she screams, the sound howling around me as I’m pulled away from her.

“What the fuck have you done?” Diego’s voice booms through the air, the force of his rage plunging me into darkness.

I shoot upright, my hand slapping over the tattoo covering my heart.

Gesù Cristo!

I suck in a desperate breath, and it takes a moment for the remnants of the nightmare to fade before I become aware of my surroundings.

I glance around the hotel room, then slump back down on the bed.

Letting out a heavy sigh, I rub my thumb over the tattoo of stars I got on the one-year anniversary of losing the Messinas.

Knowing I won’t be able to fall asleep again, I get out of bed and walk to the small kitchen to prepare a cup of espresso for myself.

While I sip on the beverage, my thoughts dwell on Haven.

Over the past few days, Edoardo has reported that Haven doesn’t leave her bedroom. She doesn’t even come out when Sofia is there. However, I’ve been assured she’s eating.

I’m tempted to call her, but I don’t. After all I’ve done, the least I can do is to give Haven some space.

My phone rings, pulling me out of my thoughts. I place the cup in the sink before walking back to the bedroom. Seeing Massimo’s name, I answer, “What’s up?”

“Sebastiano was just spotted coming out of a club. Get dressed. We’re leaving in five minutes. Dante is tracking the fucker.”