Page 36 of Arturo's Temptation

“Sorry, mate. We’re talking eighteen at the very earliest.”

“But that’s ages away!” he huffed, leaning back against my chest.

“Alright, T… Here’s the deal. You promise to wait patiently and work hard at school, and I will buy you your first bike. I might even teach you how to ride it. How’s that sound?”

“Really, Arturo? You really mean it?” He clapped his hands together in delight. This interaction was just what I needed after tonight.

“Really, really. Now, let’s go inside. I’m starving and need to make some food.” I said, lifting him off the bike.

“Okay! But, can I have one like this?” he said, giving me great big puppy dog eyes.

“If they’re still around, little man, sure. But I can’t make you a solid promise.”

“Yay! Thank you, Arturo!” He gripped my hand in his and started dragging me towards the door. “Oh no! Wait, I nearly forgot!” He hurried back to the bike and placed a kiss on the paintwork before joining me once more. “Now, we can go.”

I think I was beginning to like this little kid.

“Ah, Arturo, there you are,” Ana beamed at me the moment we entered the kitchen.

I frowned as she began plating up dinner. That was odd. Everyone should have had dinner two hours ago.

“Sorry, had somethin’ I had to take care of. You didn’t need to wait for me.”

“We eat together or not at all. We’re family and that’s what we families do,” she said, placing her hand softly on my forearm. “Especially if someone needs an hour or two alone.”

I did my best not to yank my arm away. There was no way I could offend this woman. She couldn’t know that I wasn’t used to tactile contact and that the slightest touch could make me very uncomfortable. “Uhm, thank you.”

I knew they didn’t always wait if someone wasn’t home. There was always food saved for anyone who was out handling shipments and any other jobs Lorenzo had. So, what made tonight any different?

“Nonna, Arturo let me sit on his bike, and he’s going to buy me one when I’m big. He’s going to teach me how to ride and everything!”

I staggered backward as Theo jumped into my arms with all his might.

“Well, that’s very nice of Arturo,” Ana patted his cheek with a sweet smile. The close proximity made me stagger. I hadn’t realised just how much Bella was the spitting image of her. But where her mum was soft and warm, Bella was all thousand foot high walls and closed doors.

“Can you carry me to the dining room?” Theo asked, and out came the puppy dog eyes again.

“Alright, lazy bones! Let’s go and sit down, shall we?” I started to make my way towards the door but then my mother’s voice started screeching at me in Spanish, making me pause.Shit!“Apologies, Anastacia, I didn’t ask. Do you need a hand?”

“No, thank you for your offer though.” Her eyes caught mine and for some reason I saw a brief twinkle that made my eyebrows furrow. It had been a long time since anyone had looked at me that way.

I continued on my way to the dining room where everyone was waiting. Laughter and conversation filled the room, but someone was missing.

Isabella.

“Welcome back,” Lorenzo smiled, raising his tumbler at me.

“Where you been, man?” Red asked, swigging his beer.

“Sorry I’m late. I had somethin’ to take care of. You all could have eaten without me though.”

“What, and give Mama a reason to shoot us all?” Andre called from beside Red. A chuckle resounded across the table. I nodded at the younger Ricci. I hadn’t seen too much of him since he was busy with college, but he seemed like a decent lad.

“That, Andre Ricci, would have been the least of your problems!” Ana’s voice came from the kitchen. “I could’ve pinned you with something worse, like god forbid, making you do your own laundry.” I pressed my lips together as Andre’s eyes widened. “Too many men in this house, I swear.” I turned when the voice was all of a sudden right behind me. Ana sighed heavily, carrying three heaving plates.

“Mi amore,” Lorenzo jumped from his chair and relieved his wife’s arms. “You sit down, me and Arturo will bring the rest,” he said before slapping me on the shoulder. I raised my eyebrows before putting Theo down.

“Thank you, my love,” Lorenzo was rewarded with a soft kiss on the cheek before we headed into the kitchen.

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