Page 148 of Arturo's Temptation

“I got detention today. I didn’t even do anything wrong.”

I remembered the way my fists tightened. My instinct when it came to seeing my family hurt was always to strike first and ask questions later.

“What happened, Bells?”

“Eddy Blair Junior pulled my hair and called me ugly,” she whispered. “And then when we were in gym class he pushed me over!” My nostrils had flared as my daughter shared her embarrassment. The rage I felt at some snotty little rich boy getting away with bullying my little girl made my blood boil.

“What did you do?”

“I got so mad, Papa. I’m sorry… I c-couldn’t help it.” She had then burst into tears. “I p-punched him and he lost his tooth.” The last word had been wailed. I remembered biting my lip to hold back my laugh as her words sank in. My beautiful little girl had stood up to one of the richest kids in Manhattan and she’d done it with such sass. She was of course my daughter, and I was fucking proud.

“Come here, my diamond.” I had beckoned her with my hand. The moment she was settled in my lap, with her head against my chest, tears staining my shirt, I stroked her back and said, “Don’t you worry about a thing. Papa will speak to the principal.”

“Thank you, Pa…” she’d sniffled.

“Oh and Bells?” My heart had melted as she’d looked up at me like I was her whole world. “If anyone ever mistreats you like that again, you give them hell. Don’t ever let anyone harass you and get away with it. You’re a Ricci, and we never take any shit.”

“Papa, that's a bad word.”

“Says who?” I had laughed.

“Mama of course.”

I ran my hands through my hair as my little girl’s tinkling laughter faded from memory. My wife was right. I’d thrownBella into my world with a little more than a trainer and half my attention. And despite her having to learn everything in such a short space of time she’d excelled. But I was still treating her like she was my terrified little girl, hiding under her bed because she had defended herself. But the fact was she wasn’t my little girl anymore. She had blossomed into this strong, capable leader who no longer needed her papa to fix her problems.

Damn… She had become me…

Nodding, I pushed myself to my feet and grabbed her overnight bag from beside her bed. Remembering my wife’s message, I started opening drawers pulling out her favourite pjs, sweatpants, and t-shirt. But when I got to her bedside drawer and tried to pull it open, it jammed. Frowning, I yanked a little harder until it came loose with a crunch. The sound of a book dropping made me pause. Placing the bag onto the top of the drawers, I looked down at my feet to find her violet journal laying splayed out on the floor. I bent to retrieve it, carefully closing it and looking away so as not to invade my daughter’s privacy. But as I placed it back in the drawer I noticed a thin strip of paper on the carpet.Huh?When I reached down to pick it up, a sense of foreboding filled me. After a beat, I turned it over.

What the fuck was that?!

48

I waited with bated breath,the silence was deafening.

“Arturo, say something, please.” I whispered, sickness creeping in rapidly.

“Are you sure?” his voice was low, as he looked away, lost in thought.

“Yes… I’m sorry.” I choked back a sob, I couldn’t hold the tears in any longer.

His hand cupped my face as his thumb wiped away my tears. When I looked up, I found Arturo beaming at me.Well I wasn’t expecting that!This sure as hell was the last thing I’d imagined hearing today, or any day in the near future for that matter.

“Wait… You’re smiling? I didn’t?—”

“Didn’t what? Expect me to smile hearin’ the woman I love is havin’ my baby?” he leant in and rested his forehead against mine. “My love, I’m over the fuckin’ moon.”

“You are?” My face must have been a picture because Arturo immediately laughed.

“Too right I am. Isabella, I fuckin’ love you. Yeah, alright babies and love never crossed my mind before, but… Fuck it,with you I want it all. Every single fuckin’ thing,” he breathed, his breath mingling with my own.

“But Arturo, I’m supposed to be taking over, what will we?—”

“Easy,” he whispered, rubbing my back. I slid my hands to my hot cheeks, trying to calm my racing heart. My breath had become ragged. “Just breathe. One day at a time, remember?” I laughed as his words from the night he confessed everything in my room came flooding back. “I’ll be by yours and our lil’ one’s side. You can do it all, I promise you. We just got to be more careful now.”

“So, you want to do this? You seriously want to have this baby together?” My voice went hoarse. “Aren’t you scared?” I asked, thinking I already knew the answer.

“Of course. But with you? Nothin’ is impossible,” he smiled. “I’ll find and eliminate the threat before our lil’ one comes. Don’t you worry.”

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