Page 125 of Arturo's Temptation

Buzz. Buzz… Buzz. Buzz…

“Fuck’s sake.”That was until Lorenzo fucking Ricci decided to interrupt.

“Lorenzo, what can I do you for?” I answered curtly. Fucker was more predictable than a wind up jewellery box.

“How’s the wedding?”

“Wedding’s beautiful. Bella is catching up with Lily’s father as we speak.” I lied, yes. It might have been the worst possible thing to do, but I wanted Bella to myself for a few days without having to sneak around her family. So shoot me.

“Ah, Harold, great guy.” He paused for a moment. “You’ll be back in a few days then, right?”

“Yes, thought it’d be good to take advantage of the new surroundings. Put Bella through some training exercises to see how she copes being out of her comfort zone,” I already knew she could handle it. She confirmed that for me when I watched her scramble away from an SUV despite being dosed with chloroform.

“I like the way you think. Update me on her progress, okay?”

“Of course.” I waited for a second, mulling over what to say next. “She’s going to make an incredible leader, Lorenzo. You did the right thing naming her as your successor.”

“You seem to have worked wonders on her, Arturo. I applaud you.” I could tell he was smiling and it killed me knowing we were going behind his back. Well, a tiny part of me felt guilty, but not enough to stop me being with her. “My daughter is a kick ass woman, she just needed the right push to reach her full potential.”

“Excuse me if this isn’t my business, but, did you speak to Luca?”

“I did, and he feels awful for what he said. But you know everyone handles?—”

For fuck’s sake.

“Oh don’t give me the“everyone handles grief in different ways”crap. Luca was wrong and you know it just as well as I do. Bella works her fuckin’ arse off to be there for every single person in that house. Even now with so much goin’ on, she’s there.” A sigh on the other end of the line told me he wasn’t happy I was lecturing him, but I decided to push on regardless. “Answer me this, Lorenzo, who’s there for her, hmm?”

“You’re right.”Wow… Was not expecting that.“I’ve been so wrapped up in everything else that I forget that Bella needs her father more than she needs a mentor. My son’s been through hell and back losing Peyton, but… so did Bella. I’ve neglected that. It pains me that I’m hearing this from you rather than others in my family.”

“You’re welcome. I’ll send the counselling bill through with my next invoice.” He chuckled. “Seriously though, Lorenzo, it’s not gone unnoticed. I just ain’t afraid of hurting your feelings, unlike others in your family.”

“Lucky me.”

A tight knot at the centre of my chest slowly began to unravel. I’d actually gotten through to him. Perhaps now her father would give Isabella the time and support she needed, yet had never asked for.

“Oh, uhm… There was another reason for my call. I have some bad news.” His voice held a tinge of genuine regret.

Shit, what now?

“Yeah?”

“Your bike… it’s a complete write off. I’m sorry.”

I sighed, feeling pain radiate through my chest.

That was the one thing you had left from your dad, and you lost it for some girl.

Dick.

Fuck off! Bella isn’t just some girl.

I’ll get another bike.

Could have got another chick too.

Oh, take your unsolicited comments and shut the fuck up.

“It’s fine. It’s just a bike. The important thing is Bella came out of the accident without a scratch.” He knew it wasn’t fine, not really.

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