Chapter 27
HAVEN
Leo’s only been gone to look for Nicolo a day, and I already miss him.
I was supposed to visit Mom, but I ended up cancelling because I need time to process everything I learned about my past.
When we found out who I am, Leo lost his shit, and I had to focus on calming him down to keep him from going on a killing spree.
Sitting on the couch, I stare through the windows at the view of the ocean, my Kindle forgotten on my lap.
Sofia, the housekeeper, left two hours ago, and since then I’ve been sitting here trying to remember my family.
There are only little bits and pieces, but no real memories. I Googled it, and they say it’s normal for memories before the age of six to be vague and fragmented.
Still, it doesn’t keep me from trying.
All the therapy I received over the years helped me deal with my parents being murdered in a robbery gone wrong.
But… I also lost an older brother.
And it wasn’t a robbery.
My family was murdered because Nicolo wanted to kill Leo.
I was kidnapped.
I lean forward and pick up the stack of photos again. I keep looking through them because seeing my family and how happy we were makes me feel closer to them.
Slowly, I stare at one photo after another, memorizing every little detail of Diego and our parents' faces.
My phone beeps, pulling me out of my thoughts. I set the photos down before picking up the device and checking the message.
Kristen: What the hell is going on in Italy? It’s been a month! I’m worried sick. We’ve shared everything, Haven. I know when you’re keeping something from me.
Before I can reply, she sends another text.
Kristen: I got all your stuff out of the house. Half is in my parents' garage, and the rest I placed in storage.
A pang of sadness hits because I miss my best friend so much.
Instead of typing a message, I press dial and wait for the call to connect.
The second it rings, Kristen accepts, and then she cries, “Oh my God!!! Haven? Are you okay? Is your mom okay? What the hell is going on over there?”
“Hi. I’m so sorry.” I lower my head and draw random patterns on the couch with my finger. “A lot has happened.”
“Tell me everything,” Kristen demands. “Wait. It’s so good to hear your voice. I miss you.”
I let out a chuckle. “I miss you too.” My teeth tug at my bottom lip, then I say, “So you know those mafia romances we always read?”
“Random topic change, but yeah?”
“Remember I told you about the hot guy I saw at that party?”
Her voice sounds wary as she replies, “Yeah?”
I squeeze my eyes shut and blurt out, “When all the shit went down and we couldn’t come home, it’s because he basically took me and forced me to marry him.”
“Say what now?” Kristen gasps.
“There’s nothing for you to worry about. I’m safe and my mom’s safe, but there’s so much to tell you.”
“Wait…what?” Her tone is filled with confusion. “You were forced to marry some random guy? Why?! What the fuck! And you’re only telling me this now? Do I need to call the FBI, or CIA, or Interpol? Isn’t Harlow’s brother a Navy Seal? I can check. If he is, he me be able to help.”
“No!” I shriek. “Don’t get law enforcement involved at all. Promise me you won’t tell anyone!”
“Yeah, I’m not making that promise,” she mutters.
“Let me explain everything,” I say, before taking a deep breath. “Yes, Leo forced me to marry him, but it’s not…bad.”
“Are you asking me or telling me?” Kristen snaps, and I can hear she’s a second away from losing her cool.
Hopefully, this doesn’t blow up in my face.
“Leo is the head of the Italian mafia, so I’m basically living our book-world dream.
He’s amazing, Kristen. Intense as hell, but he loves me.
It turns out, I knew Leo from before my parents adopted me.
My family was killed, Leo was shot, and I was kidnapped,” I ramble to get all the information out as quickly as possible.
“Leo’s been searching for me all this time, but that’s not why he married me.
We only found out about our past connection after the wedding.
He’s shown me photos of them and told me so many things.
I had a whole family I forgot about.” A sob bursts from me, and before I know it, I’m ugly crying.
“Oh, Haven,” Kristen says, her tone stunned. “Why didn’t you call sooner, so I could’ve helped you through all of that shit?”
I sob uncontrollably because Kristen is the one person who’s not involved in all of this. She’s my person who’s one hundred percent there for me.
“I’m here. Jesus, Haven. I wish I could hold you,” she says, her tone supportive and loving. “I’m here. I’m so sorry you’re going through this.”
I begin to calm down. “I just hate that I can’t remember more of my family. They looked so happy in the photos. I can see how much they loved me.”
“Oh, honey.”
I take a deep breath and gather my thoughts. “Okay, let’s get back to Leo. I want you to know I’m safe with him. He’s groveled, and he’s still groveling. It’s actually sweet.”
“I’m going to need a few bottles of wine to help me process all of this,” she mutters. “So you’re married to a mafia boss?”
“Yep.”
“And we’re not planning your escape because you say he’s groveling and you think it’s sweet?” Her tone is cynical, and she clearly thinks I’ve lost my mind.
“It’s difficult to explain. The moment I saw Leo, there was an instant connection. Yes, he screwed up, but he’s been amazing since. I’m falling in love with him.”
“Right.” She’s quiet for a few seconds. “I’m coming to Italy.”
I sit up straighter. “Really?”
“Yes. If I have to, I’ll sell a kidney on the black market to pay for the ticket.”
I let out a chuckle. “You don’t have to do that. I’ll buy you a ticket. My husband is stinking rich, and I have no problem spending his money.”
She lets out a bark of laughter. “I trained you well.”
“I’ll talk to Leo once he’s home so we can make travel arrangements for you.”
“Your mafia husband won’t kill me or arrange a marriage for some kind of business deal?” she teases me.
“Oh, I don’t know. He might,” I joke.
I see Edoardo coming around the side of the mansion to check the veranda, and I wave. He gives a smile before continuing with his inspection.
“Oooh. If you’re into bodyguards, I have one you might like. That’s if he’s single.”
Kristen laughs again before her tone grows serious. “Are you safe? You won’t get hurt being married to a mafia boss? What did your Mom say? Is she okay?”
“Mom’s okay. She’s living with my mother-in-law right now, but Leo’s bought her a house. We’re just waiting for all the paperwork to be finalized.” I take a breath before I continue, “Yes, I’m safe. Whenever I leave the house, I have four guards with me.”
“Great, but are you safe with Leo?”
I don’t hesitate to answer, “Yes. Leo loves me so much, Kristen. You’ll see it when you come to visit. He makes me feel like the most important person in the world.”
“Aww…I want to see this for myself, though.”
“Besides finding out about my family, I’m happy. Leo makes me happy.”
Her voice is soft as she asks, “Yeah?”
“He’s unlike anyone I’ve ever met, and the attraction is out of this world.”
“Have you slept with him?” she gasps.
“He’s my husband,” I mutter before chuckling.
“That doesn’t mean shit. Did you sleep with him?”
My cheeks grow warm, and I fall back onto the couch, kicking my legs before I say, “Yes.”
“You better tell me everything!”
“It was freaking hot, Kristen.” I take a deep breath before shrieking. “He’s a beast in bed.”
“Well, now it makes sense why you’ve forgiven him for the whole forced marriage thing,” she teases me.
“Yeah, probably,” I joke. “But besides the sex, he’s…he’s…”
“You’re so freaking in love you’re speechless,” she gasps. “Wow, you have it bad for Leo.”
“It’s so difficult to explain things. There are so many sides to him. One minute he’s all sweet and loving, and the next, he’s temptation on two legs.”
“I should be more worried about you, but you sound so happy,” my best friend says.
I sit up again. “Pack your bags. As soon as Leo’s back, I’m booking you the first available flight to Italy.”
Kristen lets out an excited shriek. “I’m going to hug you so hard! I can’t wait.”
We talk for another hour before we end the call, and I lie back down on the couch again.
I feel so much better after getting to unload on Kristen. I should’ve called her sooner, but with everything that was happening, it was the last thing on my mind.
It’s going to take some time to process everything I’ve learned about my past, and I’ll just have to take it one day at a time.
As for Leo?
Yeah, I’m falling fast and hard for him.
My thoughts turn to the past two days, and I recall all the memories he shared with me about my family. His love for them was evident in every word.
I close my eyes as my thoughts turn to our marriage. It started rocky as hell, and it’s still brand new, but I’m filled with excitement when I think of the future.
Turning onto my side, I pick up my Kindle and go to my collection of mafia books.
Who would’ve thought I’d step right into a book and live the dream?
LEO
After parking the Porsche in the garage, I walk through the kitchen, the mansion too quiet.
When I walk through the large open space of the foyer, I hear a sigh, and my eyes snap to the living room where I see Haven lying on the couch.
As I head toward her, I notice she’s reading, and remembering she mentioned she gets angry if interrupted, I softly creep up behind the couch.
My eyes drift over her, loving the tight shorts and cami she’s wearing. The clothes make her look like a fucking porn star, and I instantly grow hard for my wife.
She makes a little squeaking sound before giggling, and a smile spreads over my face. Curious to see what she’s reading, I lean a little closer, and as I focus on the words, my eyebrows lift.