Page 149 of Arturo's Temptation

“Arturo… I-I don’t remember who it was.” Fresh, hot tears leaked down my cheeks. “I see his face but it’s all a blur. I’m so sorry.” I sobbed, my frazzled emotions taking over.

“Don’t think about that now,” he said, brushing his lips against mine. “Isabella Ricci, you’ve brought light back into my life. Before you, everythin’ was so dark.”

“I’m scared, Art—” I started.

“I get that. But you have nothing to be scared of. I’ve seen you with Theo. Believe me, you’re going to be an amazin’ mum. I can feel it in my bones.” His confidence in me was everything and more. It was all I needed to help wrap my head around this.

Sure, my brother stepped aside to be a father but I was going to prove that no matter what I could run our family business and be a kick ass mother. And I’d do it all with my man by my side. Smiling, he rested his hand on my stomach and kissed the end of my nose.

“Hey, uhm… before I forget…” I said, wiping tears from my face.

“Yeah…?” he said, his head falling to one side.

“How did you find me?” His lips quirked up to one side before he flicked my ear. I winced and then pulled back. “Ow! What was that for?”

“Wow… nothin’ gets past you, does it?” he chuckled.

“Ugh, come on… Just tell me!” I whined, tired and cranky. After a moment he nodded and gave me a genuine smile.

“That ear cuff I bought you… it’s custom made. Mate of mine does me the odd favour every now and then. Blood handy.” His eyes gleamed.

Cheeky motherfucker.

“Wait… you put a tracker on me?” I gasped, touching my ear.

“Don’t go gettin’ all offended, if it weren’t for that you could be d—” he stopped mid sentence and looked to his hands. My stomach churned as guilt and sadness filled my chest

“Arturo, look at me, I’m okay, you got there in time. You saved me?—”

“Yeah, well I didn’t save everyone, did I?” he cursed, yanking himself to his feet and smacking an empty plastic cup from the tray at the end of my hospital bed. After a moment he gripped the back of his neck and turned back, his face strained. “Shit, I really wish I didn’t have to tell you this,” he sighed, his eyes welling up. “Bella, it’s Ty.”

“What’s that little shit head done now?” I chuckled. But the look on Arturo’s face made my blood run cold. “Arturo…? Is Tyler okay?”

“I couldn’t stop him, Bells…” His voice cracked. “He followed me into the house. I tried to make him stay outside but he’s stubborn twat. You mean the world to that boy. There was no fightin’ him—” he stopped and ran his hands through his hair.

“What are you saying?” I asked, bile rising in my throat.

“There was an accident. A beam broke and—” he came back to sit on my bed. “He fell Bella…” His eyes shone with tears. “But, the good news is he just got out of surgery, and the doctors are pleased with how it went.”

I sat bolt upright, swinging my legs off the side of the bed. But no as soon as I stood, the room started spinning.

“Bella, you need to rest,” Arturo muttered, trying to catch me. Cursing, I pushed him back.

“No! I need to see Tyler. I’ll rest later.” I breathed. Tyler needed me more than I needed to rest. He’d been there for me endlessly over the years, it was my turn.

“Bells, Arturo’s right, get back into bed.” Andre ordered from the door. I leaned on the bedside table and turned to look at my younger brother. It had been weeks since I last saw him, and if I was being honest I hadn’t expected to show up, what with how classes and football pretty much ruled his life.

“What are you doing here?” I asked, bewildered.

“You kidding? My sister gets kidnapped and one of our best friends ends up in the ICU… Where the fuck did you think I would be?” His eyes flashed with hurt. Sighing, I softened my voice and nodded.

“I’m sorry. That was uncalled for.” Just because I was fighting with one brother, didn’t mean I had to push the other away too.

“Anyway Tyler’s still unconscious. He won’t even know you’re there.”

“But I’ll know, Andre. Now, please can you both help me?” I pleaded, grateful that the room had finally stopped spinning. They were beside me in seconds, holding my hands as we exited the room. I knew Tyler wouldn’t exactly be next door but the distance between his room and my own seemed like a damn marathon.

“Andre, don’t you have a game tonight?” Great, I can remember he has an important game but not who left me to burn to death.

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