Page 5 of Arturo's Temptation

“You’ll still have your regular bodyguards, that won’t change, but I’ll be hiring and appointing a new head guard. Someone who will put you through your paces in training and prepare you for everything and anything. I will be with you every step of the way, just as everyone will be.”

Yeah, right. Screw that. I wouldn’t have some jumped up MMA wannabe telling me what to do.

I turned away from my father and ran my fingers through my hair, squeezing my eyes tight shut. Taking over was going to be no joke, and I had barely any time to get ready to take over, but I was a Ricci and we never gave up.

Swallowing past the fear, I looked back over my shoulder to give my father a nod. “Whatever you need, Papa.” I didn’t know how true that really was, but I had to make it somewhat believable. “Can I leave now?”

“Of course, but make sure you’re around tomorrow, please. I will officially announce it to the team, and you and I will sit down for our first meeting to begin going through everything you need to know.” His palm came to rest on my shoulder. The action used to be somewhat comforting, but right now, it wasn’t. “You are my only hope, Bella.”

I wanted to reply, believe me, I did, but I couldn’t. The words were jumbled in my head, unable for me to unscramble and I could see the hope in his eyes, the same look of a man who had just dumped the weight of the world on my shoulders.

“I’ll be there, don’t worry.” I tore my gaze away and headed towards the door, the trembling of my hand was too much to hide as I pulled the door open.

I had never fled my father’s office so quickly. I wasn’t one to normally cry, but that moment felt like one huge exception.

I couldn’t believe this was happening.

A single tear had just begun to trail down my cheek when I collided with a rock-hard chest. I jumped back in horror, about to apologise, when my nostrils were invaded with a familiar spicy scent. A comforting one I knew so well.

My grandfather. Artem. A man almost as menacing as my father…almost.

“Dobroye utro, tsvetok.Where are you running off to in such a hurry?” His hands cupped my shoulders as he searched my face, his eyes full with worry.

“Uh… Nowhere. I was just going to take a walk outside.” That was a lie. I wanted nothing other than to lock myself in my room, bury myself under the covers, and shut the world out until further notice.

“Well, how about I join you and you can tell me the exact reason you look close to tears,tsvetok?” He smiled warmly, the gesture reaching his eyes.

“I’m not—” I stuttered.

“I wasn’t born yesterday, Isabella, I know a lot more than you do. Now come on, let’s walk.” He held out his arm for me to take. I eyed it for a second, debating running back up the stairs to escape his questions. “Don’t even think about giving me the slip young lady, let’s go.”

I tightened my grip on his arm as his other hand rested on mine. I had always been close with my grandparents, especially myDedushka. He always knew when something was wrong, he was always there when I didn’t want to talk to anyone else. Luca wasn’t fussed about spending hours on end at their house, but Iadored it, there was something comforting about it. MyNonnaused to let me tend to the flower garden with her while myDedushkawould fill me with enough sugar to bounce off the walls.

As we stepped outside and the warmth of the morning sun hit my face, my stomach finally unclenched. The sound of Theo’s laughter, while he played with Luca and Red, soothed my anxiety. That boy’s energy had always caused my heart to swell and today was no different.

“So,tsvetok, tell me what’s wrong.” He asked as we kicked our shoes off to stroll barefoot around our estate’s lake.

Fuck it.

“Did you know that Papa was originally going to pick me to take his place?” I asked.Dedushkadidn’t so much as flinch as he cocked his head to one side. He and my father tended to discuss near enough everything business related, so I knew… There was no way he didn’t know.

“Yes. We discussed it the moment he saw the woman you were becoming. A strong, independent one, Isabella. But the moment he realised it wasn’t what you wanted, he chose Luca.” He turned and carried on walking down the path. “Luca knew that he wasn’t the one your father would have chosen, and Lorenzo didn’t believe in hiding that fact either. Luca accepted this because he saw the same strength in you that your father saw and still sees.” A smile crept across his lips as he continued. “What makes you ask?”

“Luca’s stepped aside.” I sighed. “Papa wants me to take his place… H-he broke his promise to me.”Dedushkaslid an arm around my waist and pulled me into his side.

“Do you blame your brother for causing this?”

“No, of course not!” I replied, horrified. “Theo is Luca’s world. And that’s how it should be. I understand his reasons and I support him one hundred percent. I just don’t think I’m asready as he was.” And I wasn’t. Anyone with eyes would see that. “Papa wants to announce it to everyone tomorrow. I’m going to be laughed out of that room.”

“Don’t be so ridiculous! Your father will end anyone who even looks at you funny, let alone laugh,tsvetok. I’d help.” He chuckled gruffly as we came to a standstill.

“Deda! How am I supposed to be the one to take another one’s life if they deceive me? How can I take someone from their family if they turn against me? I-I’m not a killer.” Tears pricked my eyes as I fought the urge to let them trickle down my cheeks.

“Trust me, you’ll find the strength you need to resolve an issue if someone deceives you. You won’t think twice. And you’ll always have us in your corner, and, deep down, you know Luca won’t let you do this alone. He may be stepping aside, but he’ll still get his hands dirty when you need him to.”

“No. I would never ask that from him. Besides, I couldn’t afford to look weak. Clearly, like I’m doing right now.” I pinched the bridge of my nose as I let out a sigh.

“Tsvetok, it’s okay to show weakness—especially to your family—but when you come face to face with an enemy, you shownone. You will slip that mask into position and show no mercy as you continue the Ricci legacy.” He was right. He always was, and as much I hated it, I couldn’t deny the sense he spoke. “And no doubt your father is hiring someone to train you for that? Train you to be fierce and above all else be by your side to protect you and watch out for you.”

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