Page 171 of Arturo's Temptation

“Girlfriend?Yes, I am. I’m Isabella.” Her pupils pulsed as my words sank in. Her gaze drifted down, taking in my bump.

“You are having a baby?” Her voice sounded strained.

“Yes, we’re just over seven months.” I smiled, trying to sound as welcoming as possible. Unease crept up my spine. I needed to find Arturo and ask him what was going on. “Come, I’d like to run you a nice hot bath, if that’s okay? You must be tired.” I asked, taking in her frail form.

“Gracias, that would be nice.”

Closing the door to my room, I led her into my bathroom and started filling the tub. Her shoulders were slack as I helped her out of her floral dress which was worn and tattered. She was barely skin and bone, and there were fresh bruises decorating her back. Taking her hand, I helped her into the tub.

“You are too kind,” she swallowed, crossing her arms across her body. “Sorry, you shouldn’t have to do this.” Shame spread across her face.

“You don’t need to apologise. You’re family.” I pushed the door closed, leaving a small gap.

“My son is very lucky to have met you.” I cocked my head to one side as she stared aimlessly at her feet. With gentle hands I began to wash her hair, and after a few minutes her eyes fluttered closed. Once I was done, I stood and placed a fluffy towel by the side of the bathtub.

“Mrs Ramos, where can I find your bags? I’ll go and grab you some clothes so you can get dried off and into bed,” I said with a smile.

“I don’t have anything else with me I’m afraid,” she whispered.

“Oh, uhm… not to worry. I’ll find you something.” I dug out a plain t-shirt and a pair of sweats of mine for her to wear. “Here.”

“Gracias.” I nodded. After a moment, she struggled to her feet. Unsure what to do, I raised the towel and held it out to her. She eased my discomfort by stepping out and pulling the towel around her. Her eyes flickered up to mine as she said, “I’m Maria.”

“It’s lovely to meet you, Maria,” she took my hand in hers and squeezed it lightly. Despite the bath, her palm was ice cold.

I walked her down to the spare bedroom my father had no doubt arranged for her. Concern swirled in my gut as I realised I hadn’t seen either of them since returning home.

Poor, Arturo. This must have hit him hard.

“Do you need anything else?” I asked, as Maria laid back in bed, staring at the ceiling.

“Would you mind, uh… staying for a moment? I have been alone for so long.” It broke my heart to see anyone so lonely, let alone my boyfriend's mother. I sat down on the edge of the bed, as she turned her body to face me. “My son… he seems different. He doesn’t look at me like he used to.”

“I’m sure that this has all just been a shock for him. But I know how much he has missed you.”

“He needs to know that… I tried. I tried to get back to him… My boy.”

“I don’t doubt that, Maria. A mother would do anything for their child,” I whispered, stroking her hair.

“You love him. Anyone with eyes, can see that,” she smiled softly.

“Yes, although it wasn’t love at first sight. He was a pain in the ass when we first met.” I giggled. “No offence.”

“Ay dios mío.No offence at all, my child. He was always so difficult. So stubborn, like a bull that didn’t want to move.” I chuckled along with her. “He is so like his papa that way. But he has changed so much. He is not the boy I remember. Now, he’s a man, with a baby on the way. When he was young, I worried about him all the time. No matter what anyone said, he never listened.” She waved her hand in the air, old frustration rising to the surface. “He was so angry when his papa died. Fighting. Stealing. I was scared he would end up in prison or worse.Gracias a Diosthat is not the case. Now, he’ll have a family like I always prayed, and do something good with his life.” Her hand loosened in mine as exhaustion settled in.

It was clear she had no idea who we were or what we did. My family were criminals, but Arturo was no longer alone. And if it took everything in me, I would ensure he would no longer have to take lives. It was time for his soul to rest. We were nothing like the Henry Duvals of the world, or the family he had been loyal to when he was a teenager. We were the Riccis and we lived by a code. And so long as you didn’t cross us, everyone was treated fairly.

After Maria fell asleep, I closed the door carefully behind me. Exhaling, I wandered back to our room, our baby kicking the whole time. Night time was party time, making sleep near enough impossible.

Already keeping me awake at night, my little one.

As I entered our bedroom my smile faded as I noticed Arturo perched on the bed with his head in his hands.

“My love?”

But he didn’t answer. He was back in that place he’d been in for years. The dark place where he used to shut himself off from the world to suffer alone. I crouched on the balls of my feet in front of him and took his hands.

“I’m here, Arturo.” I whispered, rubbing circles into his wrists.

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