Page 116 of Arturo's Temptation

“Tsk, tsk, tsk… Busted!” he chuckled, leaning against the door frame. “And on your papa’s desk, whatever would Unc say?” I pulled a very naked Bella behind my back.

“It’s all good, man. Not like I haven’t seen it all before.” Tyler laughed.

I clenched my fists. “For the sake of your balls, that’d better be a joke,” I seethed.

“Calm your tits, man. I haven’t seen shit.” Tyler rolled his eyes before glancing away, now unsure where to look.

“Go wait for me in the fuckin’ kitchen,” I ordered, his face falling.

“Arturo, dude! I was only?—”

“NOW, Tyler. We ain’t discussin’ shit right this second.” The fucker finally took the hint and raced off to the kitchen, slamming the door shut.

I could feel the panic radiating from her. She’d been a shivering wreck the moment the little shit had walked in.

“I’ll have a word with him, he won’t say anythin’,” I reassured her, but it was no use, she looked like she was going to be sick.

“That could have been my father, Arturo,” she seethed in a quiet tone, haphazardly grabbing her clothes and yanking them on.

“Isabella, calm the fuck down,” I grabbed her, her body colliding with mine.

“Don’t fucking tell me to calm down? What the fuck are we even doing?”

“Do you really need me to spell that out for you, princess?”

“Ugh! You can be such a… such a…” she started.

“Twat?”

“I don’t know what the fuck that means, but yes, that.”

“Isabella,mi hermosa, it’s all good. I knew it wouldn’t have been your father, or the guys.” I reached out to lay my palms on her shoulders but she threw them off.

“I just had visions of my father blowing your brains out.” She stared at me through glassy eyes, tears pricking the corners.

“Come here.” I said, her hands trembling as I held her flat against my chest. I kissed her forehead and stroked her back, encouraging her to let out shaky breaths. “That’s not goin’ to happen. You hear me?”

“Yes,” she whispered. “Where is my father anyway?”

“Gone to the docks. Had some shit to sort out. I knew they’d be out all day.” I cupped her face between my hands. “So is that why you’re so mad, huh? Worried about me, were ya?”

“Y-yes…” she whispered.

“Go back upstairs and check you’ve packed everything. I’ll make it as though we were never here. Then I’ll go speak to Tyler.” She nodded in agreement then placed a soft kiss on my lips. “ Go on, I’ll come and find you soon, alright?” The moment she was gone I let out a breath.

Shit. I could’ve sworn that little shit was also out.

After cleaning up the office, I found Tyler in the kitchen, sitting on the counter eating cereal out of the box like Theo sometimes did.

“You’re playing a dangerous game, man.” His voice was calm, but the tinge of concern surrounding it threw me.

“It ain’t like that. Whatever you think this is about, it ain’t.” I leaned against the opposite counter and folded my arms. “I care about that girl. She’s… important to me.” I breathed as Tyler shrugged and nodded.

“Wow, I didn’t think dudes like you had feelings.” My lips lifted a little as he put the box to one side. “You know this can only end one way, right?”

“I’d like to see ‘em try. Bella’s mine and I’m hers. There ain’t nothin’ they can do to keep me from her.” He shrugged and made a it’s-your-funeral sort of look before grinning.

“Her father’s office though? Naughty.” A chuckle left him, and I knew he’d keep our secret.

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