Page 35 of Arturo's Temptation

“Nowhere. Just out. I need to clear my head.”

“Do you want some company?” he asked.

“Nah, you’re alright. I prefer to be alone.” It was true. Being around so many people who were quickly treating me like family was a little uncomfortable for me. Suffocating even.

“All right, man, see you when you’re back.”

I pulled on my helmet, revving my bike as the garage door opened. I sped off down the driveway, my leather clad fingers gripping the handlebars tightly as I steered towards the open road. I’d missed this. I hadn’t had much chance to ride since moving here. Lorenzo preferred us all to use SUVs, they were apparently safer as he liked the argue. But tonight I was finally able to escape.

Sighing, I thought about where I was heading, a quiet spot, a place that meant more to me than anywhere else. Somewhere I went to be closer to my parents. Despite them being buried in England, I’d found somewhere nearby that made me feel close to them.

I had found this area quite out of the blue. It was a tranquil spot, surrounded by trees and a tiny river that bent round in a circle.

Yanking my helmet off, I kicked my bike stand out and walked out to a spot where I could sit.

“Hola, Mama, Papa.” Leaving England and my parents behind was one of the hardest decisions I’d ever had to make. It felt like I was abandoning them, but had they been alive today, I knew they would have wanted me to get out while I had the chance. The faint burning in my nose made me scrub my eyes. Pain flickered in my heart. Taking a deep breath, I raised my head to the sky. Despite it being years, my mother tongue flowed easily from my mouth.

“Sé que han pasado unos días, lo siento.”

“I know it’s been a while, I’m sorry. The truth is someone’s been taking up a lot of my time… Not that I mind,” I chuckled, knowing they would be doing the same too.

“There is something about this woman, Ma, something I’ve never seen in another person before. She’s… special. I don’t know how to explain, but… I feel this pull towards her. And I know I shouldn’t. I shouldn’t because of who her father is… Who I am. But I can’t stop… And I don’t know why. Why can’t I stay away from her, Pa?”

I don’t know why but I sat there in the quietness and waited for an answer.

“Ma, you always told me to follow my gut, but what if my gut is wrong? What if every decision I made is what led me here? Everything I have ever touched turned to dust.”

I punched the ground and took in heaving breaths to calm my heart.

“But when I’m around her I can’t think about anything else. I want her. I crave her. She makes me dream of things I’m not allowed to have. But haven’t I paid my debts enough? Am Inot allowed to be happy?” Again, there was no reply. The only answers I had were the ones I refused to give myself.

Before I knew it, an hour had passed and I was all talked out. It was rare for me to talk about anything personal but my parents would keep my secrets. After all, they were the only people who knew me and that was the way it had to stay. If anyone were to learn of the things I had done I’d be a dead man.

Maybe we could let her in…

Yes, let her in, Arturo… Let her see the shit bag you really are.

I may have wanted Isabella, but I couldn’t let her see the darkness that hid just beneath the surface. My demons were mine and mine alone. She didn’t deserve to taste Hell. I wouldn’t do that to her.

As I rode back to the house, I felt like a weight had been lifted. The evening had been illuminating for sure. The reality was, no matter how much I wanted I knew that Lorenzo would never let me have his daughter. Isabella was the kind of woman who wanted and deserved a forever, no-holds-barred relationship and that wasn’t something I could give her.

I had to stay away from her.

As I pulled into the garage, I saw a very giddy Theo. His face lit up the moment he eyed my bike in all its glory. I shut off the engine as he sprinted towards me.

“This is so cool!” he exclaimed, running his sticky fingers along the paintwork in awe.

“You know, T-man, I hardly let anyone touch my bike,” I teased. The poor kid was so scared he yanked his fingers away like they’d been burned. I chuckled then swiped him off the floor and sat him gently on the seat in front of me.

“But you said—” he gasped.

“Yeah, but you ain’t just anyone.” I ruffled his jet black locks as his hands gripped the handlebars pretending to steer.

“This is so cool. When can I get one?”

“A bike? Hmm, when you’re old enough,” I smiled.

“Like, when I’m ten?” he grinned, making motor noises.

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