Page 168 of Arturo's Temptation
“I love you, Bella.” I whispered against her mouth, my hands roaming over her bare skin.
“I love you too, il mio re.”
“I’ll be home soon,” I pulled out my card from my back pocket. “Knock yourself out. Get our little one whatever your heart desires.” I pecked her lips once more before heading toward the door.
“I don’t need your money, Arturo.” She called after me.
“Bye, princess.”
Smiling,I closed the safe in my old apartment and rubbed my thumb across the old velvet box. Letting go of the breath I held, I lifted the lid. My heart tripped as I stared down at the oval diamond ring with a white gold band. It still shone as bright as it always had done, even after all these years.
Mum…
Aside from the photos and my memories, her engagement ring was the only thing I had left of her. It had never occurred to me to give it to anyone, but knowing how much my mum would have loved Bella made everything feel right. This ring belonged on her finger.
The moment I decided it was time, I had found myself knocking on Lorenzo’s office door.
“Lorenzo, can I have a word?”
“What’s up?” he flicked his hand toward the seat opposite him.
“I know I said months ago I’d do it without, but it would mean the world to Bella if I asked, so here I am.”
He sighed. “You want to marry my daughter, don’t you?” he said, leaning forward.
“Yeah, I do.” I patted my thighs. “I want to take her away to Artem’s cabin for a weekend.”
“You know, when I first found out about you two I truly hated the thought of you together.” I rolled my eyes and toyed with my lip ring. “When she lost Peyton we lost a piece of her. And then when Tyler died I was so scared we’d never get her back. But she’s here, stronger and happier than ever. You did that, Arturo. You brought my daughter back to life.”
“No, it’s her that’s brought me back to life. She’s everythin’ I’ve ever needed, ever wanted. And I’m sorry I betrayed your trust, but I love her and I won’t apologise for that.” My eyes hardened as I waited for his answer.
“You don’t need to,” he sighed. “Bella told me everything that happened. The texts and how you kept your distance when the threats first started. The wedding. The bike… and what really happened. But despite it all you were there for her. And I’m not happy you kept all that shit a secret. Honestly, I should beat you senseless for it… again. But I know how much you love my daughter. So, yes, you have my full blessing to ask her to marry you.” He smiled. “I’ll arrange the cabin with Artem. Whatever you need.”
“Thank you.”
“I noticed you finally stopped that awful habit while in my office.” He jibbed, the question hidden in his tone.
“Yeah, it’s been a crutch for so long… Now that there’s Bella and a baby on the way… figured it was time, you know?”
“You’re a good man Arturo.” He held out his hand to me and I shook it tightly.
Lorenzo was good on his word. He and Bella’s grandfather agreed not to tell anyone to keep it a surprise, on the provision that I’d allow them to plan a party for the day after we got back. It was an easy thing to agree to. Knowing my love, she’d want to celebrate as a family as soon as we returned. I couldn’t wait to see the look on her face when I presented her my mum’s ring. Other than my dad’s bike, this had been the one thing he had dared to spend a shit load of money on. He had never understood why she wouldn’t wear it, but I had. It had been the nicest thing my mum had ever owned and the way she worked it would have been trashed in a mere few months. Seemed pointless to her to keep taking it on and off and risking it being stolen.
Smiling to myself, I threw a couple of things in a bag as my phone vibrated on the bed. I opened the message to see that Ana had sent me a picture of Bella enjoying a smoothie of some sort and a giant cupcake. The smile on her face was priceless. And in just over a week I would be asking her to marry me.
Thanks Ana. My girl looks happy.
And I have a certain man to thank for that.
My finger hovered above my phone when there was a knock at the door.Weird, no one but Bella knows I was here. Zipping up my bag, I pocketed my phone and clutched the box in my hand. But whoever was at the door was incredibly fucking impatient, as they knocked again… this time harder.
“Alright, I’m fuckin’ comin’.” I snapped, reaching for the door.
The moment I yanked the door open, the ring box slipped from my fingers and bounced off the ground.
“Arturo?”
My body went numb as the frail woman before me gave me a wobbly smile. I stiffened as a lump grew in my throat. She was older, and her eyes were sunken and washed out, making it look like she hadn’t slept properly in weeks—years even—but other than that she was the same. When she reached out to me I froze, clutching the door frame as I tried to steady myself.
