Page 60 of Arturo's Temptation

I knew Artem and Carmella didn’t live far, they’d moved not long ago to be closer to Lorenzo and Anastacia. But nevertheless, I sped off after her, slowing down the moment I reached her. Driving alongside her put my mind at ease, but only slightly.

“Isabella, get back in the car,” I drove carefully while leaning over to her window.

She sped up the second she heard my voice over the music she was listening to.

“Isabella, for fucks sake!” I slammed the brakes on, as her head snapped around to observe my next move.

She paused, removing her headphones, as if she was waiting for me to get out. So I did.

“Isabella, I’m?—”

“Please, don’t say you’re sorry. Especially when you don’t mean it.” She scoffed.

“I—”

“Funny how as soon as you get your fix of my pussy, the following day you start brushing me off like I’m some sort of fucking whore!”

“That’s not—” I started.

“Yeah well your words and actions sure make me feel like one!” She let out a deep breath, her eyes closing momentarily. “You can accompany me to my grandfather’s house but we’re not going to talk… ever again. Just so we’re clear, I want nothing from you.” I blinked as the pain slammed into me. “My father may have told you that you’ll always have a place in our family, but the moment he steps down is the moment I throw you out.You mean nothing to me. Do you understand?” With that, she took off down the road, leaving me alone. I swallowed as her words struck me again and again like bullets.

As I turned to walk back to the SUV, my phone vibrated in my back pocket. It was probably Lorenzo checking in.

Wow, you really hurt her feelings, huh?

Furious, I glanced around at the wooded area to each side of me, someone was here—watching the pair of us.

Look around all you want, you’ll never find me.

I tried to find Isabella but she’d disappeared from view. My heart dropped out of my chest the moment I couldn’t find her.

Does Lorenzo know you’re so careless with his daughter?

Fuck you!

Thought so.

“Isabella!” I screamed only to be met with no response. “Isabella, this isn’t fuckin’ funny!”

I frantically looked around a little longer, only hearing the sound of the birds chirping in the trees.That woman was goin’ to be the death of me.

I hurried back inside the SUV and sped in the direction of Artem and Carmella’s home. For the first time in over thirteen years I started to panic. Isabella knew these roads and woods like the back of her hand but that didn’t change the fact that I was pissed.

Exactly six minutes later, I pulled up to my final destination, tires screeching as the car came to a stand still. Moments later, I spotted something emerge from the trees beside the house.

Isabella.

Thank god.

Jumping out of the car, I shouted over to her. “Isabella, are you takin’ the piss?” I stormed towards her. The look on her face infuriated me. She knew what she was doing and she was incredibly smug about it. “What the fuck?” I bellowed, no longer caring who heard.

“I took a shortcut, I couldn’t wait for you all day.” She spun on her heel, her ponytail whipping my face. “Now, if you don’t mind, I'm going inside. You can stand out here all day for all I care.” I gripped my fists as she sauntered off towards the door. It opened a second later revealing an older gentleman who wrapped her in his tight embrace.

“Deda.” She squealed with delight, her previous anger vanishing.

“I’ve missed you,tsvetok, how are you?” The man, who I knew by photograph to be Artem, smiled.

“Sorry, I need to come around more,” she said.

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