Page 69 of Arturo's Temptation

“Need a hand…Boss?” I held my hand out to him, intrigued to see if he’d accept my help or not.

Much to my surprise, he did. I pulled him to his feet as he wiped the blood from his lip.

“You’re good. Too fucking good.” He slapped his strapped up hand against my shoulder, pride radiating from him. It wassomething I hadn’t felt in a while, not since my days with Mr Hamilton. “It’s an honour to have you on my team, Arturo. Thanks for looking out for my daughter.”

“The honour is all mine, Lorenzo. I ain’t felt welcome like this in a while,” I took a swig of my water that was handed to me by Emmet.

“Remind me never to get into the ring with you, pal. I ain’t down for a beating, unlike Boss here.” Emmet joked, elbowing Lorenzo in the ribs.

It was strange to see the men get on as well as they did. I wasn’t used to seeing a team joke and laugh with their leader. The men and leaders I had grown up around relished their people cowering in fear. Both Frank and his father were formidable. Fuck, their men even trembled when I was around too.

“So, you ready for Saturday? It’s a big night,” Lorenzo asked as he lowered himself onto the mat. The men followed his lead.

“Ah, the ball, yeah?” I wasn’t one for fancy bloody events. They were a shit show just waiting to happen. And I wasn’t jumping for joy at the thought of all the men in the room eye fucking Bella.

“I trust you’ve put a plan in place for Isabella’s safety? I know I have a long-standing alliance with these families, but that doesn’t mean I trust them or their sons as far as I could throw them,” Lorenzo spoke in a firm tone. I could tell he was worried for Isabella, but he needn’t be. Whilst I was around, no fucker would touch her.

Fuck, I missed her.

“It’s taken care of, trust me. You hired me to train her and ensure she was safe at all times and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”

Lorenzo took a swig of his water as all their eyes fell upon me. “Having my trust is big, Arturo, don’t let me down.”

“Isabella’s safety is my number one priority as it is for the rest of the team.” It was the complete and utter truth.

“That’s what we like to hear, kid,” Red teased, slapping his palm on his bare thigh. “Bella is our family, and she’ll slowly become yours too.”

I stilled, my blood running cold. I hadn’t allowed myself attachments for a long time. And just the thought that one day I wouldn’t have to be alone made my heart ache.

Dream on, wanker. She’d never become my family. I’d ruined any chance I had.

“Who’s family?” I turned to see Red’s son walking towards us.

“Ty! You missed the fun. We just watched the boss get his ass handed to him,” Red shouted over.

“Aw, what?” Tyler sulked. “I never get to join in on the fun.”

“Well if you weren’t out thinking with your dick all the time, you might get more involved.” Emmet chortled, giving Gino a fist bump. Tyler rolled his eyes and frowned.

“Hey! I wasn’t out fucking around. Uncle Lorenzo asked me to check out those dudes hanging around downtown.” Tyler folded his arms and scowled.

“And what did you find out?” Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed, instantly back to business.

“Not much. Two of ‘em ditched the second they saw me. Must know who I am. But I did pummel the one guy left. He didn’t know who was calling the shots, just that they were to keep sales numbers low and to move around the neighbourhoods” I cocked my head at this. Keeping sales numbers low was likely to ensure they didn’t arouse suspicion.

“Someone’s selling on my turf and trying to keep it quiet.” I peered over at Lorenzo, it’s like we’d been reading each other’s minds.

“Who’d be stupid enough to do that?” Red asked, getting to his feet.

“No idea,” Tyler replied, dropping to the mat.

“Hmm, what did you do with the asshole selling?”

“Thought it’d be best no one found out that we know so I let him go… on the provision that he keeps me in the loop. Gave him a burner.”

Lorenzo smiled before ruffling Tyler’s blue mohawk. “Good,”

“But seriously guys, why don’t you ever let me join the fights?” Tyler whined. Rolling my eyes, I kipped up to my feet and crouched low.

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