Page 160 of Arturo's Temptation

“What is it, my love?”

“I remember who it was…” Something cold and dark slithered up my chest, filling my chest with quiet fury.

“You mean, the people who took you?” My eyebrows furrowed. She nodded and my pulse kicked into gear.

“It was Henry,” she whispered. My fists shook as I stared into her indigo eyes, filled with shame and regret. The fury in my chest grew, making me stand.

“How do you k?—?”

“Because he was there,” she released a short sob, covering her mouth with both hands. “And when I tried to escape, h-he… he started the fire.”

I paced over to the window and gripped the frame before releasing an animalistic roar.

“Ese hijo de puta. Voy a matarlo. Se atrevió a tocar a mi chica. Nadie toca lo que es mío y vive para contarlo.”

“Arturo,” she hauled herself out of bed and wrapped her arms around my waist. “I can’t understand a word you’re saying?—”

“Motherfuckin’ cunt.” I pulled away from the window. “I fuckin’ knew that twat was no good. By the time I’m finished with him, the bastard will be beggin’ me to fuckin’ kill him. Nobody touches my woman and gets to keep their spine.” I seethed then kissed Bella’s head.

“Where are you going?” she breathed, a determined look replacing her fear.

“Out,youare goin’ to stay here.” I gritted out, replacing my sweats with jeans.

“No. He killed my best friend, Arturo.” Her eyebrows furrowed as she stomped over to grip my t-shirt. “I need to see him bleed.”

“That ain’t happeni?—”

“No!” she hissed, pointing her finger at my face. “I need this, Arturo… Don’t take this away from me.” I squeezed my eyes shut before looking back at her, indecision rife in my chest. “Promise me.”

“Alright,” I sighed. “I promise.” Her body sagged in relief. Gripping her shoulders, I pulled her toward me and kissed her forehead before resting my own against it. “But I need to find the slippery fucker first. You’re exhausted, my love. Stay here and get some sleep. Right now, I need to have a word with your father.”

“Volveré, hermosa. Te amo mucho. "Eres toda mi maldita vida.” I whispered, kissing her lips softly. “Ustedes dos son mi razón de vivir.”

“Hurry back.” she smiled.

Much to my surprise,when I strode into the kitchen all the guys were standing round the island, including Red.

“Lorenzo, a word.” He stopped mid sentence, his eyebrows jumping in surprise.

“Woah! Wanna fill me in on what happened to your face, kid?” Red asked, his eyes flicking between me and Bella’s father.

“Ask happy fists over here,” I indicated with my chin before striding to Lorenzo’s office. A curse behind me told me he was following me.

“It’s late, Arturo, what do you w?—?”

“It was Henry,” I said as Lorenzo closed the door.

“What was?” he replied, striding over to the drinks cabinet and grabbing a bottle of Macallan single cask.

“He orchestrated the whole thing. Bella being taken from the woods, the fire… All of it.”

“How can you be so sure?” I turned to find Red sliding his way through the now open door, with Gino and Emmet at his back. I folded my arms as they all perched on various chairs.

“Bella,” I murmured. “Woke up shouting his name. Turns out, the little shit was there at the house.” I would always hate my woman saying another man’s name but this was a fortunate turn of events. Now I could kill the person responsible for Red’s son’s death. “Thinking of arranging a little surprise tonight, once I find him of course.” Done talking, I shrugged on my leather jacket and headed for the door.

“And then what?” Lorenzo asked.

“And then I kick his fuckin’ soul till he chokes on his own fuckin’ spleen.” The look of pride was back on Lorenzo’s face. “No one fucks with my woman or my friends and gets away with it.”

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