Page 56 of The Empress

Not wanting him near my bedroom, I shake my head and walk to the living room. I sit down on the nearest couch and glance at the rain pelting the windows.

As the sound of the storm fills the air, the crushing loneliness that’s been torturing me for the past two weeks settles heavy in my heart.

God. I just want to see Mom.

When a tear escapes, I turn my head toward the window so the guard won’t see I’m crying.

Chapter 14

LEO

I’ve only been on the island for four days when the call comes through that Haven got hurt.

After losing my shit with Edoardo, I walk to the living room where Massimo is watching TV.

“Why were you shouting?” he asks when he sees me.

“Haven fell on the rocks.”

He lifts an eyebrow. “Did she try to escape?”

“No,” I mutter. “She dropped her phone and went on a reckless mission to get it back.” I gesture in the direction of the bedrooms. “Pack. We’re going home.”

Massimo shakes his head. “No, we’re not going anywhere until you talk to me.”

“Gesù Cristo,” I snap. “We can talk on the flight home.”

He keeps shaking his head. “You agreed we would talk when we got to the island, and that didn’t happen. If you want to go home, you better start spilling your guts.”

I drop down on the couch and glare at Massimo.

I’ve been holed up in my house and only greeted Dominik and Santiago when I arrived on the island. I haven’t made any effort to interact with the men. Besides, they’re busy with their families.

And I’m not one to talk about my feelings.

Massimo returns my glare, and it makes me want to punch him. “We’ve been gone from home for two weeks, Leo. I miss my wife and kids.”

“Then let's go home,” I mutter.

His glare darkens, and I know he’s a second away from losing his temper with me. “Talk.”

I glance through the windows on my right and stare at the tropical gardens.

The words taste bitter as I finally admit out loud, “I feel guilty for what I’ve done to Haven.”

“Why did you do it?”

I shake my head and suck in a deep breath, then admit, “The instant I saw Haven, I wanted her.”

“So you decided just to take her? Ever heard of dating?”

My gaze snaps to his.

He lets out a sigh. “Are you going to let her go?”

I know I have to, but I find myself shaking my head. “No. We’re married.”

“You’ve only been married a couple of weeks, and you’re practically strangers. Let Haven go.”