Page 61 of Arturo's Temptation

“Yes, you do! You’re just like your mother, never wanting to sit still for too long.” They both burst into a bout of laughter and even though the sun was burning a hole into my back, I felt cold.

And I had nobody to blame but myself.

Carmella appeared at the doorway, as she waved me inside. Her silver hair was neatly pinned into a bun at the nape of her neck, and she gave me a warm, friendly smile.

“Arturo, are you coming inside? I’ve made some fresh lemonade,” she beamed, holding out a hand to me.

I jogged up the few steps leading to the front door only to be met with a kiss on the cheek. This family was the definition of the word. You could tell they welcomed each and every memberof the team, no matter how long they’d been a part of the Ricci clan.

“It’s nice of you to join Isabella.”

“Just followin’ orders,” I followed her inside, Isabella already lost in conversation with Artem who waved at me politely.

“Of course,” she tutted with a giggle, knowing exactly what Lorenzo is like.

“Arturo, I’m taking my granddaughter outside to train today, you’re welcome to join us, or you can keep my wife company,” Artem offered as he was already halfway out the door to the garden.

“I’ll join you,” I called after him.

After being handed a glass of lemonade, I made my way out to the garden. My eyes widened as I took in its incredible beauty. From collections of blooming flowers and large trees to relaxing water features, they had created their own safe haven. It was exactly what my mother had always wanted, but never had the means of having. With how quiet it was out here, you’d never have guessed New York was just on the other side of these walls. I sat on the bench not far from where Bella and her grandfather spared. Cursing, I lit a cigarette and tried not to allow the intrusive thoughts of how badly I’d fucked up distract me from focusing on them.

Lorenzo was right, Artem was incredible for an older man. He was stealthy, powerful and knew every move Bella would make seconds before she did. He pushed her above and beyond her limits and she let him without complaint. Despite the heat of the day, she fought harder and faster than I’d ever seen her in the gym. But something was off. She was tense and uptight, so much so it was making her moves choppy and downright sloppy.

“Get out of your head,mishka,” Artem snapped, but despite his tone, it was clear he wasn’t angry, just worried and concerned.

“I am,” she panted much to his annoyance.

“You aren’t concentrating,” his fist connected with her shoulder as she let her guard down.

“I am!” Same words, same anger.

I stubbed yet another cigarette out on the patio, taking my eyes off of Bella for a split second only to hear a heart stopping thud. My eyes met the pair quicker than my next breath, only to find her lying flat on her back, breathing laboured. Artem towered over her, but this time I couldn’t understand what was being said, Bella nodded in agreement as Artem relaxed down onto the grass beside her.

Was this about me? Sighing I walked back towards the house, giving them space.

Could she not see how this was tearing me up inside?

I finally had her in my bed, wrapped in my arms only to have her taken away from me.

I wanted to roar in fury but knew I couldn’t. I felt helpless.

The question was, is my desire and need for her more important than her safety?

No, it fucking wasn’t.

20

“Mishka,what’s going on in that head of yours?” My Dedushka asked with a concerned voice.

“Nothing, I just?—”

“Bella, we both know you are in your head today. Your moves aren’t smooth and fluid, they’re irritated, predictable, and sloppy.” He lowered himself onto the grass beside me. “This isn’t you. If something has happened, you know you can tell me.”

But I couldn’t tell him, I couldn’t tell anyone.

Shame filled my gut as I relived that night with Arturo. After all the flirtatious banter, punishments, and forbidden glances, I had finally given in. And it had felt so right at that moment. I felt things I had never felt before. But as soon as I woke up I could sense the change in him. For whatever reason, Arturo’s feelings had shifted, and the thing that killed me was that I had no idea why.

The lump in my throat grew as I pushed back the tears. My grandfather was right, that wasn’t me. I never got upset easily, but with each passing day I seemed to learn more about myself. I knew there was nothing wrong with hurting, or crying, butsomething inside me needed to do it silently and away from others. I had to hurt alone. Like everything else, I played off my hurt with anger, but this feeling of helplessness was crushing. What was I supposed to do?

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