Page 52 of The Empress

No, I don’t care about her. I only took her because she’s beautiful.

I fight an internal battle all the way to the airfield, and when Massimo stops the SUV near the private jet, I shove the door open and head straight for the steps.

The second I board my plane, I go to the bathroom and shut the door behind me. I scrub my hands clean and splash water over my face before I go back into the cabin to take a seat.

Massimo is already sitting and doesn’t even look at me, but after we’ve taken off, he gets up and retrieves a first aid kit from a compartment.

He comes to take the seat beside me, and without a word, he opens the kit and begins to clean the cuts on my knuckles.

I stare at the man who’s dragged me through hell, and knowing I owe him an apology, I say, “I’m sorry for all the shit.”

He nods. “We’ll talk once we’re on the island.” When he’s done cleaning the cuts, he gets up to put the first aid kit away, then says, “Stop overthinking everything and get some rest, Leo.”

I nod and recline my seat into a bed. Closing my eyes, I try to focus on the hum of the engines in an attempt to silence my thoughts.

A moment later, a blanket is draped over me, and I open my eyes. Massimo hands me a pillow, and while I tuck it under my head, he stares at me. The worry he feels for me is written all over his face.

“We have to stop in Italy to fill up for the flight to Chile,” he informs me.

“Okay.”

I shut my eyes again and let out a deep breath.

I hear Massimo moving around the cabin, then it grows quiet, and again I try to focus on the hum of the engines.

Haven. Haven. Haven.

What the fuck am I going to do with you?

Chapter 13

HAVEN

Oh my God. I’m going to lose my mind!

Feeling claustrophobic, I rush out of the mansion and head to the beach.

Besides talking to Mom and texting with Kristen, I’ve barely interacted with another human the past two weeks.

There’s been no sign of Leo, and I’m avoiding the guards because they’re scary as hell.

When the housekeeper came in today, I tried to use a translation app to communicate with her, but it wasn’t very successful. I only seemed to make her uncomfortable.

The first couple of days after Leo left, I was too relieved to feel lonely, but then homesickness set in. I’ve never experienced anything like it before. Every fibre in my being knows I’m on foreign soil and longs to return to the States.

I wish I could visit with Mom. I’d feel so much better.

I hear a rumbling of thunder and glance up at the sky. As a storm starts to roll in, the clouds look beautiful, and wanting to take a photo for Mom, I head back to the veranda.

Stepping into the living room, I pull the sliding doors shut.

This mansion is as cold as its owner, and the loneliness is killing me.

I wrap my arms around myself, and while I try to rub some warmth into my biceps, I walk to the panel against the wall and increase the temperature of the AC a little.

I glance around the foyer as I head up the stairs and don’t even bother shutting my bedroom door as I walk into the space I’ve grown used to.

I pick up my phone from where it’s lying on my bed and walk out onto the balcony. I decide to try to FaceTime with Mom. Pressing the video icon, I watch as it connects. When her face appears on my screen, I force a smile to my lips.