Page 6 of Arturo's Temptation

“Ugh, I don’t see why he needs to hire someone for that. He already has so many men he can ask here!”

“And we all know you give them the slip!” He grinned.

“How do you know I do that?”

“You’d be surprised,tsvetok. I know everything.” He winked as he squeezed me tighter into his side. The softness of his cashmere pullover stroked my cheek.

“Do you really think I can do it? Do you think I’ll make him proud?” I muttered.

“I have no doubt in my mind that you will be a phenomenal leader, just like your father. But I know you’re capable of bettering him and deep down… so do you.” I felt his smile against the top of my head, and it was times like these that I believed his words, or at least started to.

“Hey! Auntie Bells! Come play with us!” I heard Theo’s angelic voice call me from the other side of the lake.

“Looks like you’re being summoned.”

“I won’t have as much time for him anymore,” I choked back a sob. Over the years that little boy had become like a shadow to me, and I couldn’t bear the thought of not spending as much time with him.

“Trust me, you’ll find the time. Just take each day as it comes, remember to breathe, and know that I’m behind you with each tremendous step you take.” He clutched my hands in an action not too dissimilar from my father and lightly kissed each one. The smell of his favourite peppermint candies skated across my face as he then kissed my forehead.

“Thank you,Deda, I love you.”

“And I love you,tsvetok.” He tucked me back into his side as he redirected us back to the house. “Now, come on, let’s see what that little troublemaker wants.” We both chuckled and all seemed right with the world again.

For now, anyway.

4

Saturday,31st March, 12:13am

The smooth honey of a Macallan 25 sliding down my throat was a welcome reprieve from my body’s adrenaline crash. In four hours or so, I’d be shattered but still unable to sleep. I’d heard in good faith that the joint I was drinking in was owned by the ruthless Don to the Sicilian Mafia. I’d never met him, but I’d heard stories. There wasn’t a person in my line of work who hadn’t heard what he had done to the scumbag who ripped her away from him. Fuck, I’d tried to protect the closest woman to my heart and failed. But falling in love wasn’t an option for me.

Love was a weakness I couldn’t afford.

I took lives, I didn't protect them.

I was alone and I liked it that way.

No one would change that.

As I knocked back the last finger of my scotch, a bump to my left had me jerking till I was wearing it. The 90-dollars-a shot liquor dripped down my vintage leather jacket, splashing onto my fresh white t-shirt. To say I was livid would have been an understatement.

“Hey!” An irritated voice spoke over the music. “Watch it, asshole!” I frowned as the hairs on the back of my neck began to stand on end.

Interesting…

I placed my now empty tumbler on the bar as I geared myself up to give whoever that was a piece of my mind. But the moment I turned, everything went to shit.

A pair of shocking blue eyes stared venomously into my own hazel ones. I contained a swallow as I let my eyes roam down her lithe body.

Qué carajo!

“Hey! Watch it, asshole!” Her cherry red lips seemed to slow on every word, and I was mesmerised.

“Me? Love, I think it’s you who needs to watch where you’re going.” I said, swiping scotch from my chin with my thumb. “You walked into me, and you made me spill my favourite whisky.” I smirked as she rolled her eyes in disgust. “So, are you gonna keep me waitin’?”

“Waiting for what exactly?” She scoffed as she crossed her arms. Fuck, I could devour this woman. She had chocolate, honey blended hair down to her arse, and icy blue pools that were fanned by long, soot black coloured lashes.

“The apology you owe me.” I said as I stepped closer to her. My nose tickled as her perfume invaded my senses. Despite my six foot four frame towering over her much smaller five ‘five, she didn’t lose her nerve. I distractedly took note of how the bar’s dim lighting illuminated her face, making it easier to see the freckles that decorated her button nose and high cheekbones.

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