Page 9 of Arturo's Temptation

His inked fingers wrapped tightly but not painfully around my wrist, stopping me from leaving.

“I’d be careful speaking to me like that,” he started. “People might think you don’t know who I am.”

“I don’t give a flyingfuckwho you are,” I hissed before snatching my arm away, I stepped closer to him until we were now toe-to-toe. “But I’ll tell you one thing, you sure as hell have no idea who I am! Have a nice night, London.”Bastard. See this is why I didn’t date. Every guy I met seemed to be just another creep. And the arrogance, wow…

“People might think you don’t know who I am.”

What the hell was that supposed to mean? Better tell Red there’s two people to be banned and removed from Dad’s club tonight, not just the one.

6

Saturday,31st March, 12:28am

“Thanks guys, you can leave us.” Lorenzo curtly nodded towards Tweedle Dum and Tweedle Dee next to me, before catching my gaze.

“Arturo Ramos, welcome.”How the fuck did he know my name?“I bet you’re wondering how I know that, right?” A smile cracked his lips as he leaned forwards over the desk.Smug bellend.

“Listen, old man, I think you’ve got the wrong bloke. All I came here for is a quiet drink before I headed home, that’s all. So, if you don’t mind, I’ll be on my way.” His jaw stiffened as he strummed his fingers on the desk.

“Carry on with the old man comments, and I’ll gut you from navel to chin. Am I making myself clear?” He leaned back in his chair as a sinister expression crept over his face.

“Fair enough,” I exhaled. His darkened eyes searched my impassive face. Probably for a sign of weakness, but, like everyone else, he found none. “There a reason you dragged me up here or did you just want to admire me up close?”

“I saw you had a slight… altercation downstairs, and I wanted to check on the situation to clarify there was nothing behind it.” He stood from his seat and pressed his palms flat on the desk, his eyes never leaving mine. “I don’t tolerate shit like that here.”

Ugh, fuck’s sake.

“What, you mean that clumsy, two-left feet chick who spilt my drink on me? Nah, I wouldn’t worry. I put her in her place. Let me guess, she stormed up here to tattle on me and you’re about to give me a slap on the wrists. That about the size of it?” He was doing a damn good job of hiding it, but I could tell that I was irritating him. Not just by my tone but also by the way I carried myself. The thing most people didn’t realise was, when you’ve got very little to live for, it becomes difficult to worry or even give a shit about anything.

“She did nothing of the sort. I saw everything unfold on the many feeds I have in here.” He rounded his desk before parking his ass on top of it. “So, tell me, Arturo Ramos, why pick my bar tonight? You seem to be far from home.”

“Look, mate, I don’t know what your problem is, but if you must know I only came for a drink, alright? Paid using the same payment that lines your pocket I might add. And the drink was to celebrate a job well done.” I lit a cigarette much to his clear disapproval. “Oh, and if it’ll help you sleep better, the job was my final hit.”

“Ah, yes, the famous assassin, forgive me for not rolling out the red carpet. My staff weren’t anticipating you coming,” the sarcastic bastard cackled. I whistled between my teeth before replying.

“Aw, you got your henchmen to run a background check on me? I’m flattered. Nice to have a fan. But why should I give a fuck? I ain’t got nothin’ to hide from someone like you. You’ve probably wracked up a number similar to myself. Or are they all just a blur?”

“I remember every single one, as a matter of fact. And I enjoyed them all. Something tells me, you love killing as much as I do.” I gave him a toothy grin as his words sunk in.

“I’m not gonna lie, I don’t believe there are many pleasures that could beat bein’ someone’s end.” I took a deep drag on my cigarette before exhaling a cloud in his face. “I consider it a fuckin’ privilege.” It was true. I enjoyed my work. But it barely took the edge off. No, the life I really wanted to take was top-tier. And just the thought of it made my chest tighten with rage.

But all in good time, Arturo.

Good things came to those who waited, and I planned to wait until the perfect moment.

“For the record, Ramos,” Lorenzo folded his arms and gave me a fierce stare, “I didn’t call you up here to feed your ego. No, I have a proposition for you. If it’s something you’d be willing to discuss.”

“Business I’m guessing? I’m all ears, old man.” I mocked as I slid into a leather chair by the desk, flicking my lighter against my leg. This time, there wasn’t an ounce of anger or irritation from Lorenzo, only a sly smile.

“Good. How would you feel about coming to work for me?”

I always foundthe first shower after a kill to be the most elite, as if it could wash away the sin that seeped into your veins with every passing second. As the hot water tumbled down my shoulders, I yet again thought back to Lorenzo Ricci’s proposition. I had mulled it over the whole ride home without coming to a conclusion. I wouldn’t have said yes to him on the spot, and he knew that just as well as I did. I had, however,agreed to visit him at his family home tomorrow to discuss terms. No matter how great everything sounded, a big part of me wasn’t ready to make a decision that would send me spiralling back into a world I never wanted to re-enter. But if I was being totally honest with myself, the thing that was really plaguing my mind had nothing to do with Lorenzo’s job offer and everything to do with a certain sassy brunette.

Her.

I slammed the side of my fist against the damp tiles as I replayed her voice in my head. Annoyingly, her sweet yet spicy perfume had fully embedded itself into my memory and was making everything south of my waist stir. Shutting the water off, I rushed out of the shower and heaved in breaths. No matter how hard I tried to rid myself of the image of her hot, wet, and naked, I just couldn't. My fingers still tingled from where they had touched her. I could practically feel that silky skin sliding against mine, knowing all too well those no-bullshit blues of hers would stare right into me. What was it about this chick that had me in a brain fog?

The rest of the night was spent tossing and turning. The sheets tangling around my body. But this time it was the haunted memory of one of my final conversations with my mum I couldn’t seem to shake.

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