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 am.”
“And how are you dealing with everything you found out about your family?”
I shrug while taking a deep breath. “I’m remembering little things. Yesterday, Leo took me to a storage facility. He packed up everything from my parents’ house after the attack and kept it all these years.”
“Holy shit.”
I cross my arms on my knees. “Leo has my stuffed unicorn in a glass box on a pedestal in his bedroom.”
“Haven,” she whispers. “That’s so sad.”
“When he realized who I am,” I shake my head, “I’ll never forget the look on his face.”
“And how did you feel when you found out you were kidnapped?”
“I cried my eyes out. It was overwhelming as fuck.” I let out a sigh. “It hit Leo much harder than it hit me.”
“Is he doing okay now?” she asks.
“Yeah. I think so.”
We talk about my family for a bit longer, then she asks, “Are you really okay being married to Leo? Just say the word and I’ll sneak you out of here.”
Chuckling, I nudge her shoulder with mine. “I love being married to him, so you don’t have to risk your life.”
“Did Leo give you a wedding ring?”
I glance down at my left hand. “He did. I took it off right after the wedding and gave it back. I’ve forgotten about it.”
“God, what if he’s waiting for you to bring it up so he can give it to you again?”
I shake my head. “Leo doesn’t play around. I think he’s forgotten about it as well.” I look at Kristen, taking in her blonde hair and gray eyes, then say, “It’s so good to see you again.”
She places her arm around my shoulders and leans into me. “I missed you, too, bestie.”
“I have a proposal I want to run by you,” I say.
She straightens up again and lifts an eyebrow at me. “My parents will shit themselves if I move to Italy.”
A burst of laughter escapes me. “As much as I would love you moving here, that’s not it. Leo gave me a lot of money, and I want to start a charity that saves horses from slaughterhouses. You want in?”
“Does a bear shit in the woods?” she gasps. “Hell yeah, I want in!”
“I’ll pay an income,” I add. “I was thinking you can get a ranch in Montana and save horses that side, while I run the charity here in Italy.”
“I’m one hundred percent on board with that.” She hugs me tightly and shrieks in my ear, “Jesus, it will be a dream come true to work with horses!”
“I’m glad you like the idea,” I say as we pull apart. “We can plan everything in detail while you’re here.”
“Hold up.” She gives me a curious look. “How much did Leo give you that you’re able to buy a ranch?”
We’ve never kept anything from each other, but I don’t want to tell her how much because it’s something personal between Leo and me.
I wag my eyebrows at her. “A lot. Luckily for me, he’s helping me invest it so I can use the interest to run the charity.”
“Holy shit.”
We talk about the charity for a while, then Kristen says, “Jet lag is kicking my butt. I’m going to sleep for a few hours.”
We stand up and head back into the house. “Should I put your lunch in the oven if you’re still asleep at two?”
“Please.”
I lead Kristen up the stairs to my old bedroom and watch as her eyes widen while she glances around. “God, Haven. This room is beautiful. I even have a balcony.”
“It used to be mine. The bed is pretty comfy.”
She gives me a questioning look. “If I’m taking your room, where are you sleeping?”
“I moved my stuff to Leo’s room.” When it looks like she’s going to protest, I add, “There are eight rooms in the mansion. Don’t worry. I didn’t move because of you.”
“Oh, good.”
I walk closer and give her a quick hug before gesturing at her luggage that’s been placed near the closet. “There are your bags. I hope you sleep tight.”
“Thanks. I’ll see you later.”
I walk out of the room, pulling the door shut behind me. Heading back down the stairs, I go to the office, and when I pop my head inside, it’s to see Leo sitting behind his desk. He’s typing fast, his eyes on the wall that’s covered in monitors.
“Can I come in?”
His gaze flicks to me, and a smile spreads over his face. “Of course.”
I step into the office, and seeing a bunch of information on the monitors that I don’t understand, I turn my attention back to Leo. “Kristen is going to sleep for a few hours.”
He stands up and comes to wrap his arms around me. “So, I have you all to myself for a while?”
Grinning up at him, I nod. “But I don’t want to keep you from your work.”