Page 191 of Arturo's Temptation

Oh, Arturo, the game isn’t over yet.

And it won’t be until you’ve lost everything and been brought to me on your knees, begging for your life.

The need to ruin his existence was like an itch I couldn’t scratch. All I could think about was tearing his tongue from his skull and putting a bullet in his head. Bending to my desk, I inhaled a line and then dropped to my chair.

You’re mine you fucking cunt.

64

Six weeks later…

We finally entered the house as a family of three for the first time and it felt so surreal. Isabella’s parents were there in the kitchen to meet us, beaming smiles lit up their faces.

“Welcome home,lamia ragazza,” Lorenzo cooed, carefully taking Valencia out of her car seat. “Sei bellissima, proprio come tua madre.” I rolled my eyes as he murmured to my daughter in full Italian. I rarely heard him speak it, but he’d made it clear he wanted Valencia to be able to speak as many languages as possible.

“Baby Val!” Theo yelled as he bounded into the kitchen, dragging a flustered Andre behind him. “Uncle Andre, look!” he excitedly squealed.

“Andre, aren’t you supposed to be in class?” Bella asked, bending down to accept Theo’s cuddle.

“If you thought I was going to miss my niece’s homecoming then you’re clearly mistaken.” he winked, peering over Lorenzo’s shoulder to see Valencia. “You look just like your Papa, poor thing.” he teased as Ana swatted the back of his head. “Take it easy, Mama! I was only joking!”

Serves you right, you little shit.

“She does look like you, Uncle A.” Theo practically jumped in my arms to get a better look at his new cousin.

“Theodore Lorenzo Ricci,” Luca barked, capturing his son’s attention as he entered the room. “Don’t be jumping on everyone, please.”

“Sorry, Papa. I just wanted to see Val.” He wriggled in my arms, hands clutching his mouth in excitement.

“You got to watch out for her, alright, T-man?” I asked, his head nodding rapidly.

“She’s got a huge family to watch out for her.” Lorenzo smiled, stroking her cheek with his finger. “But something tells me with a family like ours, she’ll be able to fight her own battles.”

“Couldn’t agree more.” I agreed.

“Right, let’s leave them to get Valencia settled,” Ana said, shooing everyone out of the kitchen as they all groaned in annoyance. “Oh, stop with all the sulking, you can have plenty of baby snuggles later.”

Lorenzo handed Valencia back over to me as Red hovered in the doorway. “We’ve got a problem.” He said, my brow furrowing as he spoke.

“What’s up, Red?” Lorenzo asked.

“George Duval is here. He’s asking to see you.” Red’s face hardened. I glanced from Bella to her father.

“Bring him in,” Lorenzo ordered, “but stay close. And tell his men to stay out-fucking-side. They aren’t welcome in my house.”

“I’ll be upstairs with Theo if you need me.” Ana said, cupping Lorenzo’s cheek.

As Ana exited, Red entered, with a pale faced George at his heels. The hair on the back of my neck raised as adrenaline punched my system. In my arms, my baby girl fussed, urging my need to protect to rear its ugly head.

“George, to what do we owe the visit?” Lorenzo asked, stepping in front of Bella and I.

“Cut the pleasantries, Ricci.” he grunted, his eyes narrowing. “My son, Henry, is missing and I thinkyouhad something to do with it.” Beside me, Bella stiffened.

“That so…?” Lorenzo asked, pursing his lips, giving a look of innocence.

“Yes, now tell me what you did with him.”

“Do you know what that little prick of a son was doing behind your back, hmm?” Lorenzo asked as Red stepped over to us. I stared across at George, watching several emotions cross his face.

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