Page 190 of Arturo's Temptation

“Frank’s father… I killed him. I killed the only man other than my dad that showed me any kind of love or kindness.”

“Why would you do that?” she asked, scooting nearer to me as confusion filled her eyes.

“I, uhm.” I coughed as the words got stuck in my throat. “I wanted out… Frank knew that and told me that the only way he would allow it was for me to do him a favour.” I met her gaze, concern shone through her deep blue eyes. “Frank was a mate of mine at school. He was a rich kid. I got in on a scholarship, I was smart and all that. My mum and dad were so proud.” I scoffed. “I think the only reason Frank got close to me was because his dad took a shine to me. Anyway, Frank was always…impatient, hungry for power. He wanted to take over so fuckin’ badly and he didn’t care how he got it. I’d been workin’ for them for a couple of years before my mum found out. And when she did she went mental. I’d only done it to help my dad. Needed the money to keep our house while he lay in hospital, dying. But my mum didn’t care about the house, just me. Scared about what would happen to me, what I was becoming. She begged me to get out and… truth is, all I ever wanted was to make her happy. So, uh… Frank agreed to let me leave if I carried out one last kill.”

“Arthur…” she whispered.

“Yeah. I took the life of a man who was pretty much a second father to me,” I breathed, my tongue pushing to the back of my teeth. “Turned out, Frank was a lying little shit. Shoulda seen it comin’. The second he took over, he knew he wouldn’t find another like me. Hounded me endlessly to come back. First it was money, then threats. And when I continued to refuse, he killed my mum… Well, made it look as though he did.”

“Arturo—”

“I’m a bad fuckin’ man, Bella. I lived with that decision every day, thinkin’ I was the reason my mum died. Feel like a prize fuckin’ dick now, don’t I? She wasn’t even dead.”

Isabella cradled my head against her chest and ran her fingers through my hair. My eyes fell closed at the soothingsensation. “You weren’t to know what was going to happen. Don’t let the guilt eat you alive anymore. It’s not worth it. He’s not worth it.”

“He used my own mother against me. Used her to get close to you and our baby, and I nearly lost you both. What if he tries again?”

“Then we end that fucker’s life like we’ve done the others.” This woman never failed to surprise me. How was she so strong? “Frank is the fucked up one, not you. You were just a kid, Arturo. You did what was asked of you to leave that life behind. It was him that couldn’t let go.” She moved over in the bed. “Come here. Lay down next to me.”

“I don’t fuckin’ think so. You need the bed more than me, and I don’t want to hurt?—.”

“Just lay down, Ramos,” she demanded, her sweet, innocent smile fading.

“Alright, Ramos.” I teased, laying down beside her.

“Not yet I’m not.”

“Soon enough though.” I beamed, kissing her temple.

“Mhm,” she replied, trailing her fingertips soothingly down my face. After a stressful week I finally allowed my eyes to drift closed and fall into a deep sleep beside the woman I loved.

63

I strummedmy fingers against the marble windowsill, looking down at the backstreets of London. There had been no word from the boy, nor Maria, and I was starting to lose my patience.

“Boss,” came Garret’s gruff voice from the door.

“If you don’t come bearing good news, I’ll rip your bollocks off, feed them to my dogs and then toss you in the fucking Thames,” I spat, not turning to look at him.

“Ramos and the girl are alive. She gave birth to a girl.”

The tumbler in my hand shook as the rage built.

Arturo fucking Ramos and that whore he’d attached himself to. Why wouldn’t they just die? And now he’s got a kid to carry on his name.

“Fuck’s sake!” I slammed my fist against the wall, leaving a dent. “Do I have to do everything myself?” I ran my hand through my hair, ripping it from the root, before walking over to my desk. “That incompetent bitch never could get anything right… Have we heard from Henry?”

“No,” Garret folded his arms, coming to stand closer to my desk, “he’s gone awol.”

“Fucking wanker! I should have known better than to trust a Duval.” I knocked back the Hennessy in my glass.Although, this could be good.“What’s the kid's name?” I asked, already hatching a plan in my head.

“Valencia Ramos.”

“Bring Carter to me.” A smug smile spread across my face. If I couldn’t kill the cunt, I’d ruin his family one way or another. It would just take time.

“But, Boss?—”

“Now!” I yelled, making Garret wince. Giving a brief nod, he stalked out of the room.

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