Page 25 of Arturo's Temptation

“You’re the best,” Tyler jumped up from the bed just as fast as he’d thrown himself onto it. To my annoyance, he was as involved with the mafia as his father was. Despite my many, many, MANY warnings, no amount of begging was going to make him stop. Tyler adored his dad and his only interest was protecting this family. In fact, as soon as I had told him yesterday that I was set to take over, he vowed to stand by my side until the day it was time to hand over the reins to someone else.

Cute, insufferable, loyal kid that he was.

“Yo! So are you ever gonna tell me who the hell that dude is?” He asked as he followed me out of my room towards the kitchen.

“Like I’ve already said, he’s just the guy my dad hired to make sure I’m ready to take over.”

“What, you mean like teach you how to kill people and that?” His tone was nothing but curious.

“Ty!” I jogged down the staircase and made my way to the kitchen. “It’s not like that. He’ll be, you know… training me how to fight at another level while also protecting me.”

“Oh really… Is that all?” I frowned at his tone.

“Yes, that’s all!” I knew where this conversation was going, and it was one I didn’t want to have with anyone, let alone Tyler.

“Fine,” he chuckled. Leaping onto a worktop and swinging his long legs. “But if you don’t climb that fucker like a tree, someone else will.”

“Who’s climbing who like a tree?”

Well, shit…

“Nobody is climbing anything, Papa.” I smiled sweetly as I met my father’s irritated gaze the moment he stepped into the kitchen. “Unless Tyler plans on climbing the one in the garden and throwing himself off it.”

“I can’t deal with you two, honestly you give me a damn migraine,” he said, while glancing at my appearance. “You know what, I don’t even want to know, come on, I want a word in my office.”

“I was about to have something to eat,” I interrupted.

“I’ll bring you something, Isabella.” I froze as a very familiar voice came from around the corner.

Sneaky fucker!

“Thank you, Arturo,” my father grinned. “Now, Bella, let’s go,”

What is it with everyone throwing their orders around today?

I followed my father to his office at the other end of the house as butterflies swarmed in my stomach. My senses told me it wouldn’t be good.

“Shut the door, and sit down,” I promptly did as I was told, but the moment I dropped into the seat I winced.

“Are you okay?”

“Yeah, I just worked hard in the gym, that’s all.”Oh, and your newest employee spanked me.

“Then whatever he’s doing is working,” he smiled, leaning back in his chair. “He’ll be working on target practice next week, he wants to break you in slowly.”

I bet he does.

“What was it you wanted, Pa?” I sighed.

“Your mother and I have decided to hold a ball next month with our alliances, to make the announcement that you’ll replace me when the time comes.”

“A ball? Can’t you just hold a meeting?” I questioned.

“No, Isabella. This is a massive deal, it deserves to be celebrated.” He smiled a pearly white smile. “Your mother wants to take you out, treat you to a new dress, since this is a big night for you, little diamond.”

“Can I wear my boots?”

“Isabella, it’s one night, swap the Timberlands for heels just this once,” he pleaded, his eyes twinkling.

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