Page 4 of Arturo's Temptation

“Is it done?” A deep voice demanded before the first ring had even finished.

“Yep,” I replied.

“Good. Money’s been wired.”

“Cheers.” I replied before hanging up. Without glancing back, I stepped into the eerie corridor and cracked my neck. I really needed a drink.

It was cool outside as I stepped out into the breeze but not uncomfortable. I pulled my gloves off and shoved them in my pockets before mounting my bike. The swirl of adrenaline pulsing around my body had me closing my eyes on a long exhale. This called for a celebration. The kind that included top shelf scotch and maybe even a half decent shag. I say maybe because it all depended on someone catching my eye. Not that it happened very often. I had a certain type, and these women were few and far between. The thought made me smile as I pulled on my helmet and sped off down the road. Weaving through the late-night traffic, I allowed myself to enjoy the feeling of the New York air whip against my body.

Now, which bar to go to?

3

Friday,30th March 11:28am

I gripped the handle tighter. How my father’s voice remained so calm as he imploded my world was beyond me.

“I don’t want this,” I gritted out between my teeth. I couldn’t move. The thought of turning around made my pulse kick up. Not once did I ever think this could happen to me. My father wouldn’t do this. We had an agreement!

“I won’t do it,” I whispered as I dug my nails into my palms, certain that I had drawn blood.

“Isabella, I’ve already made up my mind.” The air behind me shifted as I felt him rise from his chair. His movements were almost cat-like.

“How?” A cascade of emotions burst into my chest as I turned to face him. His face was as expressionless as ever. If there was ever a time I needed myfatherrather than our family’sDon, it was now. "You've only just had this conversation with Luca. How can you make such a big decision about my life without discussing it with me? Hell, you haven’t even slept on it!" My sadness at this betrayal from my father was yet again replaced by boiling rage.

“I don’t need to sleep on it. Andre doesn’t want it and moreover he’s too young. But you, my little diamond, you were born to lead.” His lips turned up into a crooked smile and I instantly felt sick. I didn’t want to be a leader. I couldn’t think of anything worse.

“Yeah, well, I don’t want it either! I told you this years ago. What makes Andre so different? Because he’s the fucking baby of the family?”

“Isabella Ricci… watch your mouth.” His smile suddenly turned into a frown, and I realised I'd gone way too far. I may have secretly been my father’s favourite, but right now I knew I was anything but. “Who I step down to is and always will be my decision. You will learn to accept the choice I have made, and, at some point in your life, I hope you’ll be happy with it.”

My nostrils flared as I huffed out a breath. There was no point in arguing with him. My father always had a way of winning. This morning, I was a happy woman, a woman who didn't have a care in the world except to spend every waking moment with my nephew, making sure he felt every ounce of the love he deserved, and now? Now, it was up to me to take on the responsibility of learning the ropes that Luca had spent countless years learning. To earn the same respect that my father and Luca had, and, above all else, to fill the biggest boots I'd ever known.

My father’s.

“You promised you would never do this to me, and until this day you have never ever broken a promise to me, so why, Papa? Why?” Tears filled my eyes as I allowed my emotions to surface. My father quickly clasped my hands in his much larger, calloused ones.

“Because, I trust you, that’s why.” His face eased as his eyes softened. “I wouldn’t suggest this if I wasn’t positive you’d be able to lead the business I’ve spent years building and crafting.”

“But Papa, I know nothing about what you do! I can protect myself but that’s it. I don’t know the first thing about being you.” I yanked my hands out from his and the hurt on his face was clear as day. “There has to be someone else, please. Anyone else!” I pleaded desperately with him, but deep down I knew… there was no point.

“Bella, my diamond, there is no one else. I love and respect your brother, but he would never be able to lead the way I know you can.” His best smile, usually reserved for no one but me, my mother, and my brothers, rose to the surface as he tucked a hair behind my ear. “I understand this isn’t what you wished for and that you’re scared, but I need you to do this for me and our family.”

“Papa, I can’t…” I glanced down at the floor unable to hold his gaze. “Luca is a much better option. It was always meant to be him! There is no way I can replace him, I’ll screw everything up. I’ll run what you spent years building into the ground. I-I’ll disappoint you.” Internally, I begged him to come to his senses.

“Bella…” Gripping my chin with a light hold, he lifted my eyes to meet his. “You could never disappoint me. You were born for this. You’ll see.” His eyes softened as he lowered his voice. “The only reason I picked Luca over you was because your mother and I knew how much you wanted nothing to do with the business. But you have no idea how much I believe in you, and how much we all do.”

“Okay, Papa.” Defeated, I gave him a smile that didn’t fully reach my eyes. “I’ll try my best.”

“I know you will.” Despite how angry I was, the idea of letting down the most important man in my world began to eat away at me. My father had worked very hard to protect our family’s legacy and run the city with a firm but fair iron fist. “I will go through everything with you. All the deals, connections and associates we have. I won’t leave a stone unturned. I’llalso appoint you a trainer who will also stand by your side as protection.”

I frowned.A trainer? He wasn’t serious, was he?

“Uhm, Papa, I have like eight bodyguards,” I scoffed. “They report back to you on a daily basis about everything.”

“Bella…” My father’s eyes narrowed slightly as he spoke.

“I mean, come on, who out of them is going to train me? I can already put all of them on their ass.”

---