Page 94 of The Empress

I close my eyes, focusing on how incredible it feels to be held by the woman I love.

The woman I love.

“What was I like when I was younger?” she asks.

“You were a whirlwind of energy,” I whisper, the corner of my mouth lifting in a sad smile. “Cazzo, you never did as you were told and drove your mother insane.”

“Yeah?”

“Whenever I came over, I always had to give you all the attention you wanted before I could spend time with Diego.”

Haven brushes her hand up and down my abs before settling her palm over my heart and holding me tighter.

I set down the tumbler and place my hand over hers. With my gaze on the view of the ocean, I let the memories roll over me after doing my best to avoid them for such a long time.

“I was there the day Mrs. Messina brought you home after you were born. It would take you an hour to fall asleep, so I used to push your stroller up and down the hallway.”

“It still takes me an hour,” she whispers.

My sad smile widens for a moment, and I rub my hand over hers.

“When I used to spend the night, your mother would struggle to get you into bed. You’d keep sneaking out to sleep between Diego and me. Eventually, your mother would give up and let you stay with us. I’d always end up with your unicorn in my face and you sprawled over me.” My voice drops low, the urge to cry hitting me hard, but I swallow it back. “It was my favorite way to wake up.”

Haven moves around me, and when I see the tears on her cheeks, I lift my hand to her face and brush them away.

“I want to remember my family,” she admits. “If you cared about them so much, they had to be wonderful people.”

“They were. Your family home was the only place I felt safe. Your parents were so generous and loving. They were even prepared to take me in.” I take a breath as a wave of sorrow hits. “Diego always took care of my injuries after my father beat me. Your family was selfless.”

More tears escape from Haven’s eyes, and I brush them away again.

“It hurt losing Diego and your parents, but not being able to find you,” I shake my head, my emotions becoming too intense for a few seconds before I’m able to continue, “It killed me.”

She places her hands on my chest, an expression on her face that looks a lot like love. “I’m here now.”

I frame her face and stare at her for the longest moment before I lean down and press a soft kiss to her mouth. Our eyes lock, and I whisper, “Your absence killed me, and your presence gives me life. You’re my beginning and end,stellina mia. Now that I have you back, I won’t let anything or anyone take you away from me again.” I brush my palm over the side of her head, my eyes drinking in every breathtaking inch of her. “My heart belongs to you. It always has and always will.”

“Is it weird that I only remember you?”

I shake my head. “Not at all.” The corner of my mouth lifts again. “You always said I was your favorite person.”

“What was my relationship with Diego like?”

I think for a moment before I answer, “You used to annoy the living shit out of him.”

She lets out a chuckle that sounds like music to my ears, and when her dimple appears, I say, “I should’ve known it was you when I first saw your dimple as you came down the stairs at the party.”

“A lot of people have dimples.”

I brush my thumb over the indent on her left cheek, and as my gaze moves over her face again, I say, “You used to have black hair.”

“After I graduated from school, I colored it.”

Needing to hear the words, I ask, “Did you really have a happy life?”

Haven nods, her smile widening. “Besides the nightmares and therapy, I’ve had an amazing life.”

We stand and whisper, reconnecting after seventeen years. It’s only when the light flickers on in the living room that I realize it’s getting late.