Page 78 of The Empress

I take a seat beside her, then say, “I need your bank details.”

The mug pauses midway to her mouth. “Ahh…I was joking about the ten million.”

“I wasn’t joking when I said ‘done’.” I pull my phone out and sign in to my banking app. “Do you know your bank details off by heart?”

“No, Leo,” she gasps, placing her left hand over the screen of my phone.

“You’ll hurt yourself,” I say a little too harshly, and feeling instant remorse, I quickly soften my tone. “Be careful,principessa.”

She moves her hand to her lap and shakes her head at me. “I’m not giving you my banking details.”

“I have other ways of getting it.” I exit the app, then level Haven with a serious look. “You are aware of the fact that I’ll be taking care of you for the rest of your life, right?”

She glances away from me and drinks some of the hot chocolate.

“I’m your husband, Haven.”

She lowers the mug and stares at the brown liquid. “It’s going to take some time to get used to that.”

I give her a pleading look, which she doesn’t see. “I understand, but in the meantime, I still want to take care of you.” Taking hold of her chin, I turn her face so she’ll look at me. “Please, Haven.”

Her eyes drift over my face, then she surprises me by not arguing and whispering, “Okay.”

I lean forward and press a tender kiss to her mouth. “Thank you.”

My phone beeps, and glancing down, I see a text from the captain saying we’ve reached land.

“Are you going to give me your banking details or make me work for it?”

Her mouth lifts at the corner. “I think I’ll go with the second option. I want to see how good you are.”

“I like a challenge.” I bring up the number for the island and press dial.

“Yes, Mr. Toscano. How can we assist you?”

“I want Haven Romano’s bank details. I’m sending you a photo of her passport.”

“I’ll look out for it, Sir. Will that be all?”

“Yes.”

I end the call and go into the app for the island. After I’ve uploaded the photo, I press send.

Smiling at Haven, I say, “I should have it in ten minutes, but in the meantime, we’ve docked. Time to go.”

“Home?” Haven asks as she stands up.

Hearing her call my mansion home has a smile spreading over my face. “Yes. Home.”

I climb to my feet and take the mug from her. As we walk to the door, I place it on the nearest table.

Placing my arm around her shoulders, I lead her off the boat while Edoardo and the other guards join us.

“Mattia and Dante are here to meet us,” Edoardo informs me.

Remembering Mattia hit Haven, I say, “We’ll go with Dante.”

“Yes, boss.”