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)
I press send and wait for Kristen’s reply. A few seconds pass before my entire screen fills with flame and sweaty face emojis.
Kristen: I want a hot Italian man, too. Does he have any friends?
Haven: One is on the way to you as we speak. Just be patient with Edoardo. He’s a little broody.
Kristen: You sent a broody, hot Italian guard? I knew you loved me.
“Come, principessa,” Leo says while placing his arm around me and leading me down the hallway.
I type out another message quickly.
Haven: Let me know when you’re on the plane. Love you!
We turn right, then Leo stops and keys in a code. I glance at the other units and see they all have locks.
“This unit doesn’t have a lock?”
“No. I had extra security added.” He pauses for a moment. “I haven’t been here in years. It was too difficult.”
We both stand in front of the door, and I grip his hand tightly, nerves suddenly spinning wildly in my stomach.
What if I don’t recognize anything?
What if seeing all the belongings triggers memories better left buried?
“Ready?” Leo asks.
I shake my head and admit, “I’m scared.”
Lifting my hand, he presses a kiss to the back before linking our fingers. “I’m right here.”
I nod as I suck in a deep breath. “Okay. I’m ready.”
Leo grips the handle and pulls the roller door up before switching on the light.
My eyes jump wildly over a brown lounge suite, two lamps, a TV, a wall unit, and boxes marked living room and kitchen.
“There are three more units,” Leo tells me as I move close to the couches. I brush my fingers over the fabric, and a memory of me jumping on it flashes through my mind.
“My mom used to get angry when I jumped on the couch because she was scared I would fall and hurt myself,” I whisper.
“You never listened,” Leo murmurs. “How are you holding up?”
I glance at him. “I’m okay.”
“Are you really?”
I shrug, but when my chin begins to quiver, I turn my face away from him.
Leo’s arms wrap around me, and I bury my face against his chest. My words are muffled as I admit, “It’s overwhelming. I always knew my family was killed, but I never actually thought of them after I was adopted. How could I just forget about them?”
“You were very young, stellina mia.”
“I know.” I turn my head and glance over everything in the unit. “It’s so sad. In the photos, they look happy. I can see how much they loved me. I wish I could remember more than isolated moments.”
Leo presses a kiss to the top of my head and says, “I’ll just keep sharing my memories with you until they become yours.”
We spend the entire afternoon looking through all the units. Here and there, I get short memories back as Leo tells me more about my family.
By the time we leave the storage facility, I’m tired from trying so hard to recall my past.
I feel Leo constantly glancing at me while we're driving to his mother’s house, then he says, “You look tired, principessa. Should I call my mother and cancel dinner so you can rather go home and rest?”
I shake my head and place my hand on his thigh. “No, I haven’t seen my mom in a few days. I want to spend time with her.”
“Okay.” He grips my hand, giving it a squeeze.
A message pops up on the screen situated on the dashboard, and seeing it’s from Edoardo, I lean forward and tap it.
Edoardo: I have Kristen. The men are loading everything while the jet is being refueled.
I quickly pick up my handbag, from where it’s lying by my feet, and dig my phone out.
Seeing a text from Kristen, I quickly open it.
Kristen: Are you sure I’m safe with Edoardo? When you said broody, I expected grumpy. I’m going to shit myself if he glares at me one more time.
Haven: He won’t hurt you. You’re safe with him. I promise.
She instantly reads the message and replies.
Kristen: Okay. Besides the whole scary vibe thing he’s got going, he’s H.O.T. I’m watching him order men around and trying to stop the hussy in me from climbing him like a tree.
“Kristen is shit scared of Edoardo,” I tell Leo. He taps on the screen and calls Edoardo. “No! Don’t call him!”
“Yes, boss?” Edoardo answers, and I let out a groan.
“You’re scaring Kristen,” Leo mutters.
“How? I’m busy with the men. We’re loading all Mrs. Toscano’s belongings.”
“Be less threatening,” Leo says. “Smiling might help.”
Edoardo lets out a sigh. “Okay.”
I quickly type out a message to Kristen.
Haven: So, Leo called Edoardo and told him to stop being scary.
Kristen: Thanks for that. The man just smiled at me, but it looked threatening as fuck. I think he’s planning my death.
Haven: He’s not. I trust Edoardo. Stop panicking and enjoy the trip. We’re having dinner with our mothers, so I might be quiet for a while. See you tomorrow morning!!!