Total pages in book: 85
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 82485 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 412(@200wpm)___ 330(@250wpm)___ 275(@300wpm)
“You okay?” Massimo asks, worry tensing his voice.
I shake my head, and pulling my phone out of my pocket, I send a few orders to Edoardo, who’s in charge of security at the mansion.
Leo: Make sure nothing happens to my wife. Have Sofia keep the fridge and cupboards stocked with easy-to-prepare meals.
Edoardo: Will do, boss. Is Mrs. Toscano allowed to leave the property?
Leo: Yes, but you and four other men accompany her at all times. I want her home before it gets dark. She’s not allowed to leave the town under any circumstances.
Edoardo: Got it.
Leo: While she’s at home, only you’re authorized to interact with her. If I find out any of the other men have spoken a word to her, the penalty will be death. She’s traumatized enough. I don’t want anyone upsetting her even more.
Edoardo: I’ll make sure they all keep their distance from her while we’re at home.
Leo: Protect her with your life.
Edoardo: I will, boss.
Done, I shove my phone back into my pocket and glance around us. Noticing we’re almost at the airport where my private jet is, I ask, “Do we have any leads on Vito and Sebastiano?”
“Sebastiano was spotted in Sicily. We’re heading there first, while Mattia and his team keep searching for Vito.”
“I want Sebastiano alive. I need to kill someone to get rid of this fucking edgy feeling.”
“Yeah, I don’t think killing someone is going to make any difference,” Massimo mutters. “Want to talk about the shit that’s gone down since yesterday?”
I check the time on the dashboard. It’s been twenty-seven hours since Klodian died and I took Haven.
Twenty-seven hours of me losing my mind and fucking up everything around me.
I need to regain control of my life, or I’m going to end up dead soon.
My tone is a mere whisper. “No. I don’t want to talk about it at all. Let’s focus on work.”
Massimo nods as he brings the SUV to a stop near the private jet where a group of my men are waiting.
I think time away from home will do me good as well. With a bit of luck, I’ll get my shit together before I return to Haven.
Then I’ll have to do some serious damage control and do my best to win her heart.
Chapter 11
HAVEN
I only go back into the mansion after the sun has disappeared.
When I step into the dark living room and pull the sliding doors shut, the lights come on automatically, startling me.
At least I won’t have to search for light switches.
I cautiously glance into the foyer and up the stairs, and keep still for a moment. Not hearing Leo moving anywhere nearby, I quickly walk to the kitchen.
Maybe I’m lucky, and he’s not home. He said he had work to do.
When the light comes on and I don’t see any signs that Leo’s prepared dinner, I go to the fridge and open it.
I glance over all the produce before helping myself to an orange and an apple. I grab two bottles of water and a can of soda that looks like it’s orange-flavored. I set my haul down on the marble island and search through the drawers and cupboards until I find a shopping bag.
I load my fruit and drinks into it, then look through the cupboards, helping myself to a pack of cashew nuts and a box of salted crackers.
At the last second, I decide to take another two cans of soda and the remaining four waters.
Now I can hide in my room for a day or so.
I quickly head back to my bedroom and lock the door behind me. Knowing Leo can easily break it down, I set the shopping bag down on my bed. I spend the next ten minutes struggling my butt off to move the heavy dressing table in front of the door.
Hopefully, that will be enough to keep Leo out.
My phone begins to ring, and I rush to where I left it to charge on the bedside table.
Seeing Mom’s name, I quickly answer, “Mom. Are you okay?”
“Where have you been?” she shrieks. “I’ve been so worried. Did Leo do anything else to you?”
“I’m okay.” Feeling awful for not keeping my phone with me, I say, “I’m sorry. I was outside. I couldn’t be in the same mansion as Leo. He hasn’t done anything else. I think he’s out, probably killing some poor soul.” I pause to take a breath. “I got food and water from the kitchen, and I’ve barricaded myself in my bedroom.”
“Oh, thank God!” Mom lets out a heavy sigh, and for a few seconds, silence falls between us.
Knowing I’ve hurt her today, my voice is filled with remorse as I apologize, “I’m sorry for locking you in that room. I knew you’d fight for me, and they’d end up hurting or killing you. I did what I had to do to protect you.”