Page 157 of Arturo's Temptation

“Pfft. Any man who fell for Bells would be a problem for you.” Luca scoffed.

“No, no… Not any man. Just this one!” my father hissed, kicking the chair in the centre of the room against the wall.

“Wow, you’re a real piece of work.” Luca laughed, standing. “You call him a low life and talk about the things he’s done, but what about us, huh, Pa?” He thwacked his chest. “We’ve done things for the business I sure as hell am not proud of. Whereas this guy? He ran into a burning building to save my sister. He’s taken her from being a woman who can defend herself to a woman who can fight and protect her family. He’s done everything we’ve asked and as far as I can tell, the only crime he’s committed is falling in love with her. Fuck, he just let you beat the crap out of him knowing full well he could stop it at any time.”

“Shut it, Luc. This isn’t your fight!” My father demanded.

“The hell it isn’t. I’m not going to stand here and let you stamp all over my sister’s happiness. This isn’t about Arturo. This is about your own fucking pride and how your precious daughter’s not following the plan.” I looked up frowning as Arturo kissed my temple. “You were pissed when I told you I was going to marry Peyton, and you’re pissed again now. We’re not pawns for you to use to gain more power, we’re your children. Isabella should be free to love whoever she wants. Not just some rich man’s son who will help grow this family’s reputation. Face it, Pa… you need to grow up and get over it.” My father’s throat bobbed as Luca turned and held his hand out to Arturo. “Come on, man, let’s get you cleaned up.” Arturo nodded and stood, still holding me tightly, as Luca ushered the pair of us out the door.

The moment we entered the kitchen, my mother’s eyes widened in horror.

“What the hell happened?!” she asked, crossing the kitchen and assessing Arturo’s face.

“Pa happened.” Luca replied with an irritated tone.

“Ana, I’m sorry you had to find out like this, but, if it ain’t already clear to you, I’m in love with your daughter and your husband obviously ain’t very happy about it.” Arturo said, clutching me tighter.

“Oh, Arturo, I can’t think of a better man for my daughter. Don’t you worry about my husband,” her eyes flamed as she held his shoulder, “you leave him to me.”

“Thank you, Mama,” I took a deep breath. “This probably isn’t the best time to tell you, but you should know that soon you’re going to have another grandchild to love.”

“Wait… Are you two pregnant?” my mother beamed, her eyes lighting up.

“Yes, I found out yesterday and sort of… just… blurted it out downstairs. It wasn’t the way I wanted to tell either of you,” I sighed.

“Isabella, baby… I couldn’t be happier for the both of you. I’m your mother. All I’ve ever wanted is to see you happy,” her face cracked with unshed tears.

“I am,” I whispered. She nodded and kissed my hand.

“I know… It’s been obvious for weeks” she choked through a sob. “Now, you leave your father to me, go and get Arturo sorted out.”

My mother and I had always been close but because we were so different it had been hard to open up to her. With Papa it had always been easier… simpler… until now. Now, only time would tell if he would accept my choice and welcome Arturo into the family. And if not?

If not, we would leave.

51

I was livid.More than livid. I had welcomed this man into my own fucking home and what did he do? He fucking betrayed me. As far as I was concerned, he had committed the worst crime possible. He had wormed his way into my daughter’s bed, gotten her pregnant and taken away her chance at being connected to a powerful family.

I wanted to kill the bastard and I would have… if she hadn’t walked in.

I stormed into my office, making the fixtures on the wall rattle as I slammed the door shut.

“Well, I can see you’re in a wonderful mood.” My head snapped to my desk as my wife’s voice rang out from behind it. She had a face like thunder as she brought her hands up for her chin to lean on. “Sit down, Lorenzo.”

“I would but you’re in my chair.”

“Then find a-fucking-nother one.Now.” My breath fired out of my nostrils as I slammed down into a chair opposite. Fuck, I was in trouble. I had a feeling my wife knew what I had done and was now about to fight me on it. She also knew I had no choice but to listen, as she was the only one I’d ever bow to. She’s hadme on my knees since the day I admitted I loved her… actually even before then.

“Mi amore, listen?—”

“Don’t you,mi amore,me. I think you’ve done quite enough talking already, don’t you? It’s about time you did the listening and I did the talking.” Wow… she was seething. I couldn’t remember the last time I had seen her this mad, and quite frankly it scared the crap out of me. “You had no right doing what you did today.”

“I had every right, Ana, that man he?—”

“That man loves our daughter. He would die for her. Fuck, he nearly did yesterday and then at the hands of you today. What the hell is the matter with you? Is it not enough that he’d give his life for hers?” No matter how angry she was, she spoke calmly and that’s what unsettled me the most.

“No! It sure as fuck isnotenough. She’s meant to take over and marry someone powerful. She needs that to do her job! Not get fucking knocked up by some lowlife assassin I brought in from the streets!” I was fuming, absolutely fucking fuming. “She needs to choose. It’s us or him.”

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