Page 82 of Arturo's Temptation
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“So,do we need to pay Henry a little visit?” Lorenzo asked, already toying with his knife.
“As much as I would love to skin him alive, there’s no need. Isabella put him in his place,” I cracked my neck and leaned back against the island.
“You stepped in though, didn’t you?”
“Yes,” I couldn’t hide the happiness in my voice, just as Lorenzo couldn’t hide his happiness that the date was a failure.
Naturally, he didn’t want his daughter to date anyone. I knew I'd be no exception to that.
“Well, I think I’ll head to bed too, now she’s home. Are you staying up?” Lorenzo asked, and it was then that I noticed he was in his loungewear and not his usual attire.
“I’ll head out for a smoke, then try and get some sleep.”
Lorenzo nodded before leaving me standing in the kitchen with nothing but my overwhelming thoughts. Tonight had been a close call. Each time she pushed me, cracks appeared in my head allowing my demons freedom to creep their way back in. And no matter how much I fought them they couldn’t be ignored.
Keep this up you twat and you’ll get her killed.
Not goin’ to happen. I can protect her.
You’ve lost everyone you ever loved. What makes you think she’ll be any different?
That ain’t goin’ to happen!
How, when you couldn‘t even keep your mum safe?
Get out of my head!
She’ll never care for you, you know… You’re just fooling yourself.
Shut up!
You can’t escape us, Arturo.
We’ll always be here.
I gripped the sides of my head, hoping the voices that had resided in there for years would leave, if only for tonight.
My body shuddered as the voices finally quietened. Over the years, the job had made great waves in suppressing them, but no matter how hard I fought, no matter how much guilt I carried, they still ate me alive at night.
But not tonight, tonight I knew what I had to do… what I needed to do.
As quietly as I could, I headed up the stairs and down the corridor that led me to Isabella’s room.I’d never let my guard down with anyone before, and the fact I was considering doing that with her scared me. But I was tired of keeping secrets from her. Tired of having her close, yet so far out of reach.
I let out a steady breath and rested my forehead against her door before tapping against it lightly so I didn’t wake anyone. But there was no answer. Either she was already asleep or she was ignoring me. I hoped it wasn’t the latter.
I tapped again.
No answer.
Shit, here went nothing.
Turning the handle, I stepped inside the dimly lit space. As I gazed around the room, I spotted her dress was thrown over the chair in the corner and her shoes were thrown beside the closet. It was then that I heard the sound of water running. She was in the shower.
Shit.
I knew I shouldn’t, but my feet moved before I had time to stop myself. With a shove the bathroom door floated open, revealing a very naked Bella, running her fingers through her long dark locks. I swallowed as water cascaded down her body like a waterfall, making her skin glisten. The sight left me breathless.
