Page 60 of The Empress

Nicolo lifts his chin and looks at her with hatred. “You’ll regret saying that.”

“Is that a threat?” I ask as I come up behind the women.

He visibly struggles to school his face before he looks at me. “No. Of course not.”

“Yeah, that’s what I thought,” I mutter as I place my hand on Haven’s lower back, giving her a nudge so she’ll walk. “Hopefully, we won’t see each other again, anytime soon, Nicolo.”

I take the bags from Haven and Dakota. “Go to the car.”

I don’t have to tell the women twice. I walk fucking fast to get out of the mansion, and only when they reach the Porsche do they stop to hug again.

“I’ve missed you so much,” I hear Haven whisper.

I load the luggage into the trunk, then as I shut it, I say, “Get in the car, ladies.”

Dakota gives me one hell of a hate-filled glare before she climbs into the backseat. Haven gets in beside her mother, and knowing I’ve put her through hell, I don’t argue.

I let out a sigh before I open the driver’s door, then slide in behind the steering wheel.

I’m so thankful I slept on the plane because I can already tell I’m in for one hell of a long afternoon.

Chapter 15

HAVEN

Sitting in the backseat with Mom, my heart is still beating a mile a minute.

When I opened my bedroom door and saw Leo, I just reacted and hugged him.

I refuse to admit I’m relieved he’s home, and I’m blocking the fact that it felt so freaking good when he held me.

Mom clings to my arm, her eyes darting between Leo and me, then she whispers, “How’s your hand?”

“It’s okay,” I tell her, but it’s a lie because it’s been aching like hell since I hit Leo’s chest. The man is made of freaking steel.

Mom and I stare at each other, and the world falls away around us.

She wraps her arm around my shoulders and holds me so tight, I feel safe for a precious moment.

“When did he get home?” she whispers.

“Right before we came to get you.”

“Has he said anything about letting you go?”

I shake my head. “He says he won’t.”

She pulls back and levels the back of Leo’s head with a glare. “Let my daughter go.”

Leo takes a deep breath before exhaling, then mutters, “No.” His eyes flick to the rearview mirror. “I told Haven you can visit each other. While you’re a guest in my mother’s house, you’ll treat her with respect. She has nothing to do with the choices I’ve made, and she’s just as unhappy with the marriage as you are.”

“Why is she unhappy? She’s not the one whose daughter is being held captive,” Mom snaps at him.

“She hates the Romanos.”

“Why?” I ask.

When he remains quiet, I assume he’s not going to answer, but then he says, “She thinks Nicolo is responsible for the assassination of my father.”