Page 53 of Gangster's Empire: Leeza & Havel

It had been her voice, her scream.

CHAPTER TWENTY-TWO

The sun warmed her as Leeza rested her head on the back of her lounger and closed her eyes, letting out a long sigh of pleasure. She was wearing a red sleeveless top and black shorts that showed off enough skin that she might get a slight tan if she stayed out long enough. It had been a long time since she enjoyed the simple pleasure of the sun on her body. Maybe years.

She half listened to Oliver and Fatima’s chatter as they crouched over one of Fatima’s garden-boxes together. Havel had given Fatima the use of Zmatek’s rooftop to create a gardener’s utopia. According to Fatima, he’d even had a shed built for her to store her supplies and gave her the use of his staff to move dirt, flowers and vegetable planters.

Leeza had to admit it was pretty sweet of the badass mercenary to take care of Jozef’s mother-in-law. Just like he watched out for Babi and Anne.

“You’re doing a wonderful job, Kris,” Fatima said, a smile in her voice. “I suspect you have a natural green thumb. Here let me help you with those seeds.”

A smile curved Leeza’s lips and warmth, not entirely caused by the sun, spread through her. Growing up, Leeza had to be the perfect princess who helped her mother keep her perfect home. Individualism was not encouraged. Whenever Leeza had shown a flare of creativity, it was actively stamped out.

When Kris was born, she’d vowed to give him whatever he needed to flourish. To give him as much warmth and wonder as she could manage within the confines of her prominent mafia family. Saskia was a good aunt to him, but she had been young when he was born and treated him more like a novelty than a nephew. No one else in the family had been capable of giving him the sense of love and acceptance a child needed to thrive. Only Leeza.

Unlike Dasha, Fatima had a maternal warmth that she passed onto everyone around her, particularly Kris. The two had quickly bonded and Kris was starting to ask daily when he could see Fatima. He loved working with her in her garden and eating the fruits and vegetables she passed to him.

Leeza was grateful for the extra help with her son, especially since she was still sorting out her relationship with Havel. Fatima was a safe person for Kris to visit. She was patient and loving and more than willing to do things on Kris’s terms.

“I think that’s it for today.” Leeza cracked an eyelid and rolled her head to the side, watching as Fatima stood, brushing soil from her hands. Kris copied the action. “I’ll need to wash this dirt off before I meet Shaun for some shopping.”

“Do you mind if I join you?” Leeza felt the urge to get out of Zmatek and spend time with other women. Shopping was something she used to enjoy. Retail therapy.

“Of course.” Fatima didn’t hesitate, her usual warmth infusing her tone as she placed her gardening supplies in the shed, stepping aside to give Kris and Oliver room to do the same. “Shaun should be here in about half an hour.”

“That works for me.” Leeza arranged for Oliver to stay with Kris until she got back.

They took the stairs back to their respective suites. As Leeza exited the stairwell, a bodyguard stood waiting for her, a box in hand.

“Ma’am, this arrived for you.”

“Thank you.” Leeza reached for the box as he handed it to her. “Do you know where Havel is?”

“He’s in the gym with Mr. Koba.”

“When he’s finished, can you please let him know I’m going out with Shaun and Fatima?” She waited as the bodyguard punched in the door code to her apartment. “And if you don’t mind, please find Ayaan and let her know I’ll need her to accompany me.” She gave him a half smile. She didn’t recognize him, but she trusted Havel to choose her bodyguards with care. He would never intentionally put her in harm’s way.

Leeza stepped inside the apartment, followed closely by Kris and Oliver who made their way to Kris’s room to collect his schoolbooks. The guard stood in the doorway, looking awkward and out-of-place.

“What’s your name?” she asked as she searched the kitchen drawers for a pair of scissors.

“Victor, Ma’am.”

She shouldn’t have let the housekeeper arrange the kitchen. Leeza couldn’t find anything. “How long have you been working for Guard Dog?” She settled on a paring knife, setting the box on the counter and slicing through the tape on the package.

“Two weeks, ma’am.”

“And you’ve been put on babysitting duty?” Her tone was sympathetic. “Well, if you do your job well, it won’t be long before Havel gives you a chance at placement on one of his teams. Of course, everyone rotates bodyguarding and estate duty, but you’ll get some more exciting jobs soon, I’m sure.”

“I hope so!”

Leeza smiled at his youthful enthusiasm.

She finished cutting through the tape and flipped the lid of the box open, looking inside. She assumed it was something Havel was having delivered to the apartment since she hadn’t ordered anything, but since her name was on it, she was definitely going to satisfy her curiosity.

There was a scent coming from within. Not unpleasant, but not great either. Kind of an antiseptic hospital smell.

Tissue paper filled the top of the box and an envelope rested on top. She picked up the envelope and used the knife to cut it open, pulling a small white card out. There was nothing on it except the words, ‘until death do us part.’

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