Page 10 of Arturo's Temptation

“I am so proud of you,” my mother cupped my face before pulling me into her warm embrace.

“Gracias, Ma.” I cleared my throat as the emotions threatened to pull me under.

“And I know if your papa were here, I know he would be too…”

“Ma, you must know… I only did it because we needed the money. I was so scared for him, for you?—”

“Arturo, no matter how bad life gets, don’t ever pull away from the good. You are a good boy. Promise me, it is over.”

“I promise.” I whispered, shame filling my heart.

The way the fear and panic in her eyes melted away, and the pride and gratitude replaced it.

And then just six weeks later, I lost her. She was ripped away from me in the worst possible way.

Sweat ran down my back in streams as the memory faded. Cursing, I kicked off the sheets and ran my hands through my hair before dropping to the ground to do some push-ups. The irony was, I’d convinced myself I’d done it for her and only her. But the day she died I realised I’d been kidding myself and the last pure piece of my soul died with her. I had vowed every day since then that no matter what it took I would aim for a better life and never re-enter a Hamilton’s home again. It had taken many gruelling years but—so long as I was careful—I’d made enough money to live a quiet life just the way she’d always wanted me to. Aside from assassination, in the early days I’d been the books man. I could count numbers like no-one’s business but I’d kept this particular skill to myself over the years. It wouldn't be too hard to freelance myself out for a few particular clients who wanted to keep their accounts looking squeaky clean. But then again, none of that would pay me as well as Lorenzo would.

I wasn’t a complete idiot. I knew I would be a fool not to accept his offer, but did I really want to be that close to a family again? Then again… It was easy cash. I mean, how hard could it be? Yeah, it meant looking after Lorenzo’s precious daughter, who likely spent more time spending her daddy’s money than running on a treadmill, but the job was simple...

All I had to do was train her to take her father’s place whilst keeping my hands to myself.

As if I needed a warning. Joke would be on him. I had no desire to fuck Lorenzo Ricci’s only daughter. If I accepted his offer, it’d be a job and nothing more. A job I could do with myeyes shut. With a sigh of relief, I leant back against my bed, sweat dripping down my back and nodded to myself.

Isabella Ricci, you’re in for a rude awakening.

Saturday,31st March, 8:45am

The next afternoon, I arrived at the biggest mansion I’d ever seen. The Hamiltons’ mansion had nothing on this. My bike came to a halt on the gravel, and I switched off the ignition. I didn’t need to look up to know someone was waiting for me at the front door. I hooked my helmet onto the handle bar and glanced up to meet the gaze of one of the men from last night, the one with flaming red hair. And, wow… he did not look happy to see me.

Good.

I held up my hand to offer an olive branch but he just sighed in annoyance.

“Keep starin’ at me like that, and your face will get stuck that way.” I scoffed.

“You always this pleasant, or just when you’re flirting?” he asked, scowling, as he folded his arms.

“Why, you lookin’ for a date?” I winked.

“What the fuck did you just say to me?” Ah, there we go.

Smirking with satisfaction, I caught his gaze and said, “Take it easy, mate… You’ll pop a vein if you ain’t careful.”

“Keep pushing, kid, and I’ll throw your ass into the lake?—”

“Red.” As if on cue, Lorenzo made his appearance from behind this so-called Red and wore a welcoming smile, the complete opposite of the non-existent one he’d worn the previous night. “If you’re both done, can we take this to theoffice? Arturo and I have business to discuss.” He pushed the door further open as I walked up the steps leading to the house.

“Do you need me, boss, or shall I give Ana a hand?” Ah, the famous Anastacia… pretty as a picture apparently.

“You can help me, Red,” a woman appeared at the doorway briefly. Her ash blonde hair was tied in a neat ponytail at the nape of her neck, and her ice blue eyes were on the only man in the room that mattered to her. Pretty as a picture was right. She was a beauty for sure. But I couldn’t hide my frown as I realised she reminded me of someone.

“Sure, Red. My wife needs a hand finalising some things for upcoming events, and I’m sure your opinion will be far more appreciated than mine.” he chuckled as his wife shot him a playful glare before disappearing back into the kitchen.

“Come.” Lorenzo said, making his way down the corridor. Shrugging, I followed him and tried not to gape at the immenseness of his home. “Thank you for coming. I know it must not have been a decision you made lightly.”

“Somethin’ like that.” I replied, as he led me into a bright and airy office.Well, fuck me… That wasn’t what I was expecting.

“Not what you were expecting?” he laughed as he sat behind his desk.

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