Page 74 of Arturo's Temptation

Font Size:

Page 74 of Arturo's Temptation

To my annoyance, blondie turned his attention from me back to Isabella. “Oh, I hadn’t forgotten. Your brother plays quite well, Ms. Ricci.”

“Does he?” She enquired politely. With a flick of her hair, she gave him a demure smile. “I’ll be completely honest, I know nothing about football. But don’t tell my brother.” She mock whispered. George and blondie both laughed good naturedly. “Oh and call me Isabella.”

“Your secret is safe with me, Isabella,” he grinned back at her. The bastard was actually flirting with her.

I wished someone would just shoot me.

“So, Lorenzo, when is this lovely daughter of yours going to announce her engagement, hmm?” Isabella’s eyes widened. It took everything in me not to laugh. She looked horrified.

“George, that’s not how my family do things any more. You know, kids these days. They all want love, romance and everything in between,” Lorenzo said with a polite grin. He liked the line of questioning even less than I did.

“I see. But of course your daughter will need a strong man by her side when she takes your place, yes?” George piped up.

Before Lorenzo could respond, I blurted out. “Isabella doesn’t need a strong man.” All eyes suddenly turned towards me. “She’s more than capable of takin’ care of things herself.” My tone was calm but there was a sinister edge I couldn’t stop from bleeding out. A tap against my side indicated Red was giving me a warning to reel myself in.

“Forgive me, I did not mean it quite like that. All I was saying is how wonderful it would be for these two young people to get to know one another a little more. And perhaps a marriage could appear on the cards if all went well. Wouldn’t you agree, Lorenzo?” George smiled, his gold tooth sparkling beneath the chandeliers.

“Ah, well, as Arturo so articulately put it, my Isabella doesn’t need a man to stand by her side—no matter the challenge. However, if Isabella wants to accept a date with your son, that’s her decision not mine.” Lorenzo side eyed me. A knowing gleam in his eye told me he wasn’t pissed. In fact, he was glad I’d stepped in to defend Isabella’s honour.

Isabella on the other hand seemed tense and frustrated. She’d already downed her drink and dropped it on a passing waiter’s tray. She was just grabbing herself another when blondie spoke up.

“So, what do you say, Isabella? Will you do me the honour of letting me take New York’s most beautiful woman out to dinner?”

Dickhead.

As I waited anxiously for her to answer, I tried to ignore the sound of my own blood pumping through my ears. I was shaken and not in a good way. Then when her answer came, it hit me like a fucking steam train.

“I’d really like that, Henry. Thank you,” she said, all smiles and confident eyes.

Lorenzo’s face gave nothing away. But I could tell he didn’t like the thought of his daughter with this slimy git. Perhaps he didn’t want to ever see her with a guy.

“Wonderful. Pick you up on Friday at seven?” He beamed. I swallowed to keep myself from smashing his damn face in.

“Actually. We’ll meet you there. Isabella doesn’t go anywhere without an escort,” I snapped, causing Henry’s eyes to fall on me in an instant.

“She’ll be safe with me, I can assure you,” he grinned.

“No offence, pal, but I don’t trust Isabella’s safety with anyone but me. And I don’t know you from the next guy. So, Isabella will be driven by me. If you don’t like it, then you know what you can do Harry,” I returned his smile, but it wasn’t real.

“It’s Henry actually,” he said with a tick in his jaw.

“Ah, shit, my bad. I’m so terrible with names.” A scoff from Red told me I was fooling no one with my tone.

“Gentleman, Papa, Red,” she smiled politely before laying her furious eyes on me, “please excuse Arturo and I. I’ve just remembered there’s a security detail we forgot to discuss.”

Fuck me…

My heart quickened. I knew an order when I heard one.

“Of course. Pleasure to finally meet you, Ms. Ricci. We look forward to seeing you in your new position.” George took her hand and kissed the back of it. Isabella nodded at Henry then stomped off.

I sighed and followed after her. I couldn’t lie, watching Isabella throwing her authority around had caused my cock to twitch. It may just have been the sexiest thing I’d seen from her.

Fuck.

I followed Isabella outside to a darkened terrace surrounded by pillars that blocked it from view. The doors shut behind mewith a swish leaving us in complete silence. For the first time this evening, we were alone.

It was just Bella and me now.


Articles you may like