Page 42 of His Broken Queen

“Private jet.”

“How did you manage that?”

“I know people.” I placed her hand in my lap. “Let me worry about all the details. Tell me how it went in there.”

She shook her head.

“What happened?” My body tensed when her grief took over her features.

“It was heartbreaking.” She squeezed my hand. “You were right. I shouldn’t have gone.”

“I didn’t want to be right.” I put my arm around her. “You did what you had to do, and I admire that, but now you have to heal.”

“I didn’t get to pay my respects.” She sighed.

“Why not?”

“They threw me out.”

“What?” I clenched my jaw when I thought about the humiliation she must have suffered inside that funeral home. “Who threw you out?”

“Mike.”

“That’s unacceptable.”The thought of anyone hurting her that way blinded me with rage. I realized he was grieving in the worst possible way, but none of this was Luciana’s fault. She was hurting too.

“It’s okay.”

“No, it isn’t. You had nothing to do with her death. I understand he’s in pain, but to disrespect you that way was not an option.”

“I want to forget about it.” She rested her head on my shoulder. “I want to remember Stella the way she was. Vibrant, kind, and caring. These past few days have been a nightmare. I need a break.”

“I’m taking you to a quiet, remote villa. We’ll be protected there while I figure things out.” I kissed the top of her head. “Gio will meet us there in a couple days. He has to take care of things here. You can rest and start to feel better.”

“I hope you’re right because I’m so tired.” She cuddled against me. “I had a dream last night that you ran the club. That was it. That was your job.”

“It’s a nice dream, baby.” I twirled her hair around my finger. “If I could make it come true for you I would.”

“Hmm…” She relaxed against me. “Maybe you can. You’re a resourceful guy.”

My gaze connected with Salvi’s in the rearview mirror. He didn’t have to say anything, but he was well aware that I would not be a lawful businessman anytime soon. Not if I wanted to keep us all alive.

After a minute or two, her breathing slowed and she seemed calmer. I continued to play with her hair, wondering if she really had a dream or if she wanted me to be legitimate so badly that she thought she dreamt it. Either way, it was never going to happen.

This life was etched in my veins, burned into my soul, and simmered in my blood. There was nothing else for me. This trip would help me reclaim what I had lost. There would be a steep price to pay, but when all was said and done, I would come out on top. No one would ever take a shot at me again.

They wouldn’t dare.

* * *

After the long flight,and the car ride to the villa, Luciana and I crashed for most of the day. We both needed to catch up on sleep and recharge. After we ate, we went for a walk along the water, taking in the beautiful evening sky.

We decided to stay in tonight, and recoup from the last few days that had turned our lives upside down. A couple weeks in a new setting wouldn’t cure all our troubles, but I hoped it would help Luciana heal. She would never forget the drama associated with what had happened to Stella, but with time it would get easier. I wanted to be there for her.

I opened the balcony doors of the master bedroom and gazed out at the ocean. The October air held a refreshing chill. I’d almost forgotten how beautiful the view was from this house. Perhaps I never appreciated it before. I was younger when Gio and I lived here. Luciana wasn’t in my life then. She had a way of making me see the beauty in things.

She came out of the bathroom, fresh from the shower. The scent of peppermint swirled between us when she pressed her lips to the top of my shoulder. When she ran her hand across my abs, my erection stirred.

“You have to put the sling back on,” she said. “Your shoulder isn’t healed.”

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