Page 52 of Arturo's Temptation

Abso-fucking-lutely.

Ever the good soldier, Arturo took my father at his word and stood still, saying nothing while I got reprimanded for my behaviour. Question after question was flung at me.

Where had I been?

Was I trying to give my mother a heart attack?

Did I understand what was at stake with keeping me safe?

And the one he kept circling back to… Why?

“I was curious. I’ve never been permitted to ride a bike before. I just… Arturo’s right I’ve been feeling stifled. Aside from training and learning the business I don’t get to do anything fun!” My father narrowed his eyes at me as my voice went up in pitch. “I understand I worried you all but Papa I never asked for this job! You know perfectly well how I feel about it. I just want to have some sense of normal.

With a sigh, my father stood, walking over the liquor cabinet and fixed himself a large tumbler of whisky. I distractedly noticed he’d grown more grey hairs. When he turned back to face me, his face had a hardness I’d never seen directed at me.

“You think I ever got the choice, huh?” He seethed. I looked down at my hands. “You have had more freedom than both of your brothers put together.”

“Papa! I think we know that’s not tr?—”

“You are a Ricci, and that means you do what is good for the family.” My pulse kicked up at the threat beneath his words.

“What are you saying, Papa?” I whispered.

“Maybe it’s about time your mother and I started discussing marriage arrangements for you. Hell, it worked out for us. Perhaps having a man beside you will help you when you take over.”

“Boss, that's enough!” Arturo’s voice made me wince.Did he have a death wish?

“I thought I told you to keep fucking quiet?!” My father turned to him, his voice like gravel.

“And I have, but with all due respect, sir, I can’t anymore.” Arturo stalked towards my father until they were toe to toe. Clearly he didn’t give a flying fuck whether he spoke out of turn or not. “Isabella may have done something incredibly stupid tonight, but that doesn’t mean she needs some jumped up little prick beside her to know how to run what you've built. She cando it perfectly well all by herself. And I know you know that too, otherwise you wouldn’t have named her as your successor.”

I thought my father would have thrown something back, but his shoulders sagged a little. It was as if he was admitted defeat. It was a rare sight to see.

“Isabella, I don’t give a shit that you stole his bike, no offence, Arturo,”

“None taken,” he smiled.

“But what angered me is that you slipped out with Tyler without telling anyone or taking security with you! I was worried sick. It’s not worth thinking about what could have happened if you’d lost control of that bike.”

“I’m sorry, Papa. I promise it won't happen again.” I whispered, too scared to look him in the eye and see his disappointment. “Please don’t force me to get married,” I pleaded.

“Isabella, can you look at me, please?”

I couldn’t.

He rounded the table, before crouching on the balls of his feet before me. He took my hands in his as his forearms rested on his thighs.

“Isabella, I would never force you into marriage. Not you or your brothers. Yes, your mother and I had an exceptional story, but I know not all these arrangements turn out as ours did and I would never do that to you.” He squeezed my hand gently as I finally glanced up through my lashes at him.

His eyes were back to the soft, gentle ones I knew. The ones that always made me feel safe no matter what.

“I’m sorry,” I sobbed.

“It’s okay.” He pulled me into his embrace as my tears soaked into his crisp white shirt. “I’m sorry I lost my temper, I shouldn’t have.”

When I glanced over my shoulder at Arturo, I saw the shock on his face. It was usually only within the safety of the walls of our home that my father ever revealed who he really was, and even then it was rare. Besides my mother, me and my brothers, no one ever got to see this side of him.

“Let’s forget this evening, little diamond. Tomorrow is a new day. I just need your word that you won’t do it again.”

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