Chapter 28
HAVEN
I’ve been nervous and excited since Leo told me he has all my family’s belongings in storage.
While we walk down a hallway toward the units, my phone beeps and I quickly dig it out of my handbag.
Opening the screen, I grin when I see a text from Kristen.
Kristen: Are you sure I don’t have to go to the airport? What about customs and shit like that?
“Kristen is worried about customs,” I tell Leo.
He comes to a stop and takes my phone from me.
My eyes grow wide when he begins to send a voicenote, saying, “Hi, Kristen. This is Leo, Haven’s husband.
Don’t worry about a single thing. My men will deal with everything.
” He checks the time on his wristwatch. “Edoardo will be there in the next two hours. You can trust him. He’ll take good care of you. ”
As he hands the device back to me, he grins proudly. “That should set your friend at ease.”
I glance down at the screen and watch as it shows Kristen is recording a voicenote, and when it comes through, I press play.
“Hi Leo, this is Kristen, Haven’s best friend, also known as ‘her favorite person’. Thanks for arranging everything. Just a heads up, you and I will have words once my butt is in Italy.”
“Crap,” I mutter. I give Leo an apologetic look. “It’s because she loves me.”
“Don’t worry about it.”
Another voicenote comes through as we start to walk again, and when I press play, Kristen says, “This is for your ears only, Haven.” I lift the device to my ear, but Leo grabs my wrist to stop me, and then my best friend shrieks, “Holy fucking shit! His voice is scorching hot. Damn girl. No wonder you’re not trying to escape.
I was over here going, ‘yes, sir, whatever you say, sir.’ Please send me a photo of him so I can get over the shock before I meet him.
The last thing we need when I want to slap Leo upside the head for forcing you to marry him is me drooling over your husband. ”
Leo lets out a burst of laughter, and wrapping an arm around me, he orders, “Kiss me.”
“What?”
“Kiss me so your friend can see I’m yours. I’m going to take a photo.”
When he taps on the camera icon, I grab hold of his shoulders and kiss his jaw so his face is visible in the photo.
Letting go, I take the phone from him and look at the photo. Damn, he has that smirk on his face that makes me turn stupid.
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!!!
Kristen: I’m sleeping all the way to Italy. Enjoy the dinner and tell your mom I say hi.
Haven: I will. Sweet dreams.
“Does she feel better?” Leo asks as he brings the car to a stop in front of his mother’s house.
“Yes. She’ll get used to Edoardo.”
“So much for you hoping the two of them will get together,” he says while shoving his door open.
I climb out and grin, “There’s still hope.”
Leo stops at the front of the car and holds out his hand to me. When I place my palm in his, he leads me to the front door while glancing at Riccardo. “How are things here?”
“Nothing new to report, boss. The women are cooking up a storm, so I’m hiding outside.”
“I’ll assign Ricco to take over for a while so you can have a break,” Leo tells him.
“That would be great. Thanks, boss.”
Leo opens the front door, and when we step inside the house, a delicious aroma hangs in the air.
He leads me to the kitchen, where Mom is stirring something in a pot while Mrs. Toscano is setting plates and cutlery down on the kitchen table that seats four.
“Hi,” I say, pulling my hand free from Leo’s grip.
“Hey, sweetheart!” Mom sets down the wooden spoon and meets me halfway for a hug while Leo kisses his mother on both cheeks.
When everyone is done greeting each other, Leo pulls out a chair and takes a seat. “I’m going to swap Riccardo out for Ricco.”
“Okay,” his mom replies before continuing to set the table.
“How are you feeling?” Mom asks me, her eyes drifting over my face and searching for signs that I might not be coping.
“I’m okay. We spent the morning going through my family’s belongings. I remembered a few more things.”
“I’m glad you’re safely back with us, Haven,” Mrs. Toscano says. “Leo missed you a lot.”
“Mamma,” he grumbles.
To steer the conversation away from my past, I tell Mom, “Kristen is on her way. She’ll be here tomorrow morning. I’ll spend the day with her, and once she’s settled, we can go out for lunch or sightseeing.”
“I’d like that,” Mom replies. “Is she okay bringing our belongings over?”
“Yes. Leo sent men to help.” I take a seat on Leo’s left and reach for his hand.
Leo locks eyes with Mom, then says, “Now that the dust has settled, I want to thank you for raising Haven and giving her a good life.”
Surprise flutters over Mom’s face, and I can see it means a lot to her to hear Leo say that. It takes a moment before she replies, “You’re welcome. I’d move heaven and earth for Haven.”
I squeeze his hand while a grateful smile curves my lips up.
While our mothers bring all the food to the table, my eyes glide over Leo’s face.
Suddenly, it hits me that I love him. The thought knocks me for a six.
“What?” he asks.
I shake my head and pull my hand from his. “Nothing.”
“It didn’t look like nothing.”
I give him a playful grin. “Can’t a woman just look at her husband?”
The corner of his mouth lifts. “You can look all you want, principessa .”
When Mom and Mrs. Toscano sit down, I pick up Leo’s plate and ask, “Can I dish you a little of everything?”
“Please.” His eyes rest lovingly on me while I load food onto his plate, and when I set it down in front of him, he leans over to press a kiss to my cheek.
Once we start eating, we stick to safe topics, and the conversation flows naturally.
After dinner, I help Mom with the dishes. I’m glad when Leo and his mother give us some time alone.
“How are things with Leo?” Mom asks.
“Very good.” I look at her while I dry a plate. “I’m happy.”
Mom stares at me for a moment, then says, “He looks at you as if you’re his entire world.”
“He makes me feel that way.”
“Just take it slow, sweetheart.”
I let out a chuckle. “It’s a little late for that.”
Mom’s hands still. “Why do you say that?”
I glance at the door to make sure we’re alone, then leaning in closer to Mom, I whisper, “I love him.”
Shock tightens her features. “So soon!”
I shrug as I continue drying dishes. “The heart wants what the heart wants.”
“Yes, but…”
I shake my head. “I’m married to him, Mom. Leo treats me as if I’m precious. He cares about my opinions and dreams. Honestly…” I lock eyes with her again. “…He’s the most amazing man I’ve ever met. I’m lucky to have him.”
Mom’s chin quivers. “I just want the best for you, sweetheart.”
My voice is filled with confidence as I reply, “Leo is the best.”
Her gaze searches mine, then she nods. “As long as you’re happy.”
Changing the topic, I ask, “Are you excited to move into your own house?”
Mom shakes her head. “Martina and I have been talking. I’m thinking about staying with her. We have a lot in common, and I like spending time with her.”
“And you’re only telling me this now?” I gasp.
“You’ve had so much to deal with, Haven.”
“Yes, but this is good news! Right?”
Mom smiles as she nods. “It’s nice having a friend.”
I throw my arm around her waist and give her a hug. “I’m so happy to hear that, Mom.”
“So, if I’m staying here, what do we do about the house Leo bought?”
I shrug and think for a moment before coming up with an idea. “We can still decorate it, then whenever Kristen comes to visit, she can stay there.”
“That’s a good idea,” Mom agrees.
When we’re done with the dishes, we walk to the living room and overhear a conversation between Leo and his mother.
“You can sell the house,” Mrs. Toscano says as we enter the living room.
“Are you sure?” he asks. “You’ve lived alone for a long time.”
“It’s nice having someone around,” Mrs. Toscano admits. “Dakota and I have become close.”
“If that’s what you want, Mamma, I’m good with it.”
We walk into the living room, and it has Leo looking at me. “Did your mother tell you she’s decided to stay here?”
“Yes.” I sit down beside him and place my hand on his thigh.
Leo wraps his arm around my shoulders, then says, “I’ll sell the house.”
“Can we keep it for when Kristen comes to visit? Then she has her own space while staying here.”
“Sure.” He kisses me on the forehead. “Anything for you.”
We visit for a little longer before we leave. On the way home, I think about everything that’s happened and how much my life has changed.
As Leo steers the car along the long stretch of road on the side of a hill, I stare out the window at the moonlight shining on the ocean.
“I can’t wait to see Kristen,” I mention to Leo. “She gives the best hugs.”
“As long as she doesn’t touch me,” Leo says. “This body belongs to you.”
I turn my head to smile at him. “Yeah? Are you all mine?”
He gives me a seductive look that has heat flushing my core. “Every single hard inch.”