Page 57 of The Empress

Anger bubbles in my chest, and I look through the windows again. “No.”

“Then what are you going to do?”

For the hundredth time, I think about how I should handle the situation with Haven, and once again, I come up with the same idea. “I’m going to make her fall in love with me.”

Massimo lets out a bark of laughter, which has me glaring at him. He shakes his head as his laughter fades. “Good luck withthat.” His expression turns serious. “Are you in love with her? Is that why you lost your mind?”

I’m still not ready to inspect my feelings for Haven and climb to my feet. “I’m going home, with or without you.”

“You’re so fucking difficult it’s going to take a miracle for Haven to fall in love with you,” he taunts me as I walk to my bedroom. “What are you going to do if she keeps hating you?”

“I’ll fucking grow on her like a bad habit,” I snap.

I hear my right-hand man chuckling as I begin to pack my bag.

The two weeks away from Haven, while we searched for Sabastiano and came to the island, have done nothing to give me clarity.

I’m just going to have to suck it up and fix the damage I’ve done to Haven.

When Massimo drives the SUV through the gates of my property, my eyes lock on the mansion.

Here goes nothing.

He stops the vehicle and looks at me. “Take a week off to get to know Haven. I’ll make sure the business runs smoothly.”

After all the shit I’ve given him the past two weeks, I meet his stare and say, “Thank you for putting up with me and not telling me to go fuck myself.”

He places his hand on my shoulder. “I’ve been at your side for twenty-four years, Leo. You’re stuck with me for life.”

I give him a grateful look before I shove the door open and climb out of the SUV. I grab my bag from the trunk, then stop at the open window. “Give my regards to Franca and tell her I’m sorry for keeping you away from home.”

Massimo nods, then he tips his head in the direction of the mansion. “Good luck.”

“I’m going to need it,” I mutter as I walk to the front door where Edoardo is standing guard.

I hear Massimo drive away as I lock eyes with my head of security. “How’s my wife?”

As the words leave my mouth, my chest fills with a burst of possessiveness.

“I haven’t seen Mrs. Toscano since I gave her the new phone yesterday. Dr. Caprino will be here at five to check her hand.”

Nodding, I push the front door open and step into the mansion that’s warmer than usual.

I glance at the living room before I head up the staircase. When I get to my bedroom, I put my bag by the laundry basket so Sofia can wash the clothes.

As I walk to Haven’s room, my heartbeat speeds up. I stop outside her door, and for the millionth time since I took her, I think about what I should do with her.

Lifting my hand I knock.

“Who is it?” she calls from the other side.

“Leo.”

I hear her unlock the door, then she yanks it open.

Holy shit, she’s even more beautiful than I remember.

Shock tightens her features for a few seconds as she stares at me, then her face crumbles and she lunges at me.