Chapter 12
Bloody nightmare. What the fuck had just happened?
If she hadn’t walked in when I was giving the lads a talking to, tonight would have gone different.
Now she would be out of training for a few days and I looked like a ridiculous meathead who couldn’t keep his head straight.
I blew a breath out of flared nostrils and counted to one hundred, concentrating on sweeping up the mixture of ice cream, glass, and blood from the floor.
Just as I began tossing all that crap in the bin, familiar footsteps passed the doorway.
“Mik, get your pathetic arse in here!” The responding hiss at my yell told me he was shitting himself.
Good!
“Boss, before you say anything?—”
“Oh, this should be good.” I turned back to see the brunette, scrawny little shit raising his hands in defeat. I tossed him a bottle of antibacterial spray and a cloth before gesturing to the ground. He grimaced before getting on his hands and knees to begin scrubbing.
“Look, I know I fucked up—” His voice came out hoarse.
“No shit.”
“But you gotta know, I was just joking around! I didn’t mean to?—”
“You really think it’s alright to mouth off about your boss like that?” I raised my eyebrows. “If you do, you’re stupider than I thought.”
“Dude, the chick ain’t my boss. Lorenzo R?—”
“Lorenzo Ricci,” I interrupted, “hired us to be Isabella Ricci’s bodyguards and trusted team.”
“Woah!” Mik launched to his feet. “I didn’t join this team to take orders from a?—”
“A what?” I glared at him. This geezer was beginning to test my patience.
“Nothing.” He gulped and dropped back down to finish wiping the floor. Cracking my neck, I sank down to a squat and gripped his shoulder.
“You know, I get it.” He looked up, confusion clear in his gaze.
“You get hired by the infamous Lorenzo Ricci and think, this is my chance to earn some real cash taking care of New York’s most notorious boss only to end up babysittin’.
” I cocked my head to the side and watched as relief swallowed him whole.
“See, dude! You get it. This is an absolute joke.” I smiled at him, pretending to share the joke.
“You know what I get Mik,” I whispered, tightening my grip on his shoulder.
“Ah!” The guy squirmed in my grasp but the humiliation in his eyes told me he was furious.
“I get that you are a disrespectful fuckin’ twat who ain’t suffered a hard day in his life.”
“Alright!” I could’ve laughed when he tried to shove me back. “Look, I’m sorry, Boss. It won’t happen again.”
“Too right it won’t.” I pulled him closer and whispered in his ear. “You’ll show Isabella the same respect you showed her brother and her father, boy, or I’ll take your fuckin’ head.”
“You can’t threaten me!” The outrage and smugness in his voice told me this idiot thought he had an ace up his sleeve. “Mr Ricci said?—”
“Oh? You think Mr Ricci is going to protect you when he finds out you disrespected his only daughter?” I smiled as the kid gulped. Satisfied, I stood, yanking him to his feet.
“Trust me, you may think Lorenzo is your worst nightmare, but you couldn’t be more wrong.
I assure you I’m a thousand times worse.
” The pulse in his pupils and stiffening of his jaw told me I was finally getting somewhere.
“I know how to remove each and every one of a man’s extremities whilst ensurin’ he stays conscious long enough to feel every…
single… cut. You’d be beggin’ for me to end it all long before I’m finished.
And what’s worse is, I’d enjoy every damn second.
” I grinned, letting go of his—likely bruised—shoulder.
“I’m sorry,” Mik swallowed, rubbing the spot where I’d had him. “I will apologise to Isabella tomorrow. I won’t let you down again.”
“Good boy. Now fuck off, I have shit to do.” Shaking, he nodded and dashed for the living room, colliding with the door in his rush to get away from me.
I’d scared the kid to death. Good!
That’s the way it needed to be. They all had to know I wouldn’t tolerate any disrespect towards Bella.
Shit, Bella.
I shook my head and gripped the edge of the kitchen island in front of me.
I knew I shouldn’t have lost my temper, especially in front of her, but the way the guys all looked at her was too much to take.
In the few weeks I’d been here, I’d heard far too many comments and whispers about her. Stuff that made my blood boil.
I gritted my teeth and started pacing the kitchen.
The truth was she had awoken something inside of me. A darkness I despised that I’d spent years burying. She shouldn’t have to see this side of me. Who knew what could happen to her if I lost the grip I had on my sanity.
Cursing, I retrieved two new sundae glasses.
Having no clue what she liked, I scooped in every flavour available then smothered both sundaes in chocolate sauce, sprinkles and a tonne of other stuff I’d never seen before.
I had to admit they looked pretty damn good considering I’d never made one of these sodding things in my life.
When I got back to Isabella’s bedroom, the only sound I heard was of a five-year-old boy giggling away to an animated film while his aunt slept soundly beside him.
“Hey! You brought ice cream?” he beamed as I handed him a glass. And from the way he started demolishing it I was surprised he didn’t get a brain freeze.
“Mhmm, I also brought one for your aunt but it looks as though she won’t be needing it.” Turning, I started back towards the stairs.
“Do you want to finish the movie with me?” His little voice asked.
“Wish I could, kiddo, but I’ve got work to d?—”
“Pleeeeease? It’ll just be for a little while.” I sighed as his big eyes stared up at me.
“Can I have this ice cream?” I negotiated, raising an eyebrow.
“Of course! Auntie Bells isn’t eating it.”
“Alright, what’re we watching?”
“Yay! A cartoon movie.” Theo scrambled to the end of the bed. Smiling, I sat down beside him to watch the rest of the film. After a beat though, Theo spoke.
“Uhm, is Auntie Bells okay?”
“What do you mean?” I smiled, loading my mouth with the sweet, creamy concoction. I didn’t eat dessert very often and I was surprised by how good it tasted.
“Auntie Bells’ foot hurts. She said it doesn’t, but I know it does.”
“Does she do that often, mate?” I asked.
“Do what?”
“Lie about how she’s really feeling?” I enquired, putting my glass to one side. Theo gave me a curious look but didn’t reply.
Ah, he’s protecting her. Loyal kid.
“Your aunt's not in trouble, kiddo. I’m just asking so I know how best to protect her.”
“Well, I think she just doesn’t like it when people worry about her.”
Where have I heard that before?
Theo turned to watch the movie, I took Isabella’s foot in my hand as gently as possible, so as not to wake her.
I ran my fingers across the bandage protecting her cut.
So, princess, you push people away so they don’t worry.
I can relate. A soft smile toyed on her lips as she slept soundly.
It was probably the only smile I’d receive from her but I’d take it… for now.
“What the hell are you doing in here?” Stiffening, I placed Isabella’s foot back on the bed and got to my feet.
“Good evenin’, Lorenzo.”
“Don’t give me pleasantries, Arturo,” he hissed. His expression was lethal as he gazed down at Isabella. “Why does my daughter have a bandage around her foot?”
“Let’s step outside.” I gestured towards the door as Theo waved at his grandfather.
The moment the door closed behind me, Lorenzo folded his arms and leaned against the wall opposite me. He tapped his index finger against his chin as he waited for me to speak.
“There was an incident in the kitchen this evening involving myself and Mik. Isabella got caught in the crossfire whilst makin’ ice cream for her and Theo. ” I said, swallowing as I thought about the memory.
“Is that how you got that shiner on your face?”
I nodded. “Mik made a disrespectful comment about Isabella, one I didn’t take kindly to.” He nodded and indicated for us to start for the stairs. “Isabella wanted the fight to stop and when she tried to pull us apart, Mik accidentally knocked her backwards?—”
“And the glass?”
“Shattered when Isabella dropped them during the commotion.”
“Mhmm. And where is he now?!” Beneath Lorenzo’s calm exterior I could see his temper flaring. I knew if I didn’t diffuse the situation quickly, the night would end in a body being dropped.
“Dealt with. I made sure all the men are aware that Isabella is to be shown the same respect as yourself and Luca.”
“I see.” Lorenzo ran his fingers through his hair before nodding.
“As for why I was in Isabella’s room, I’d brought replacement sundaes for herself and Theo seeing as it was my fault they were fucked up in the first place. While Theo watched the film I checked on Isabella’s foot.”
“You bandaged her foot yourself?” I nodded. He pondered something for a moment before sighing. “I apologise for my earlier outburst. I’m not used to having people in my daughter’s room.”
“Understood.”
“I trust you, Arturo. I wouldn’t have hired you if I didn’t think I could.” Lorenzo patted his palm on my shoulder, making me feel a small pang of guilt. He couldn’t know I fantasised about his daughter day and night.
“I appreciate that, Lorenzo,” I replied as we headed down the stairs beside one another. “Drink?”
“Good idea. I’m still hovering between firing that shithead and paying him a visit.” He seethed, the veins in his head popping.
“No need,” I assured him. “I was the one that fucked up. You entrusted me to oversee this team and ensure they all understand that Isabella is their new boss. But Mik won’t do anything like this again, and the rest of the team now knows I’ll end any fucker who tries to disrespect her in future.
” As I finished rattling off my speech, we entered Lorenzo’s office to find Red and the kid called Tyler waiting for us.
“It’s safe to say, I like you,” Red slapped his hands together as the kid beside him chuckled.
“You got a crush on me or somethin’, Red?” I winked as I dropped into the seat opposite. The kid next to him chuckled and held out a ring-clad hand.
“Hey, I’m Tyler. You can call me Ty if you want, everyone else does.” I took his hand in mine and gave it a tight squeeze. “Fuck me, you’ve got an iron grip,” he muttered and snatched his hand away. Red and Lorenzo erupted in laughter.
“Oh good, you’re learnin’,” I teased as Lorenzo handed me a scotch.
“Ah, a scotch drinker.” The red headed giant held his beer up in approval and knocked it against my glass.
“Yo, Unc! What about me?” Tyler held out his hand as Lorenzo arched his brow.
“Nice try, you know how your dad feels about you and alcohol.” The kid immediately began to sulk.
“Oh come on, Uncle Lorenzo! I can easily buy it my?—”
“Fine. Then you explain to my wife what happened to her chandelier last Halloween and I’ll happily pour my nephew a glass.” Lorenzo wasn’t his uncle by blood, but clearly he and his men had a firm bond—which included the kids. I admired that. Family was important.
“Boss?” The sound of Mik’s voice floated through the door
“Get in here!” Lorenzo called, settling into his chair.
The door creaked open. As Mik stepped inside, his face fell as he noticed Lorenzo wasn’t alone.
“Come in, and shut the door,” Lorenzo ordered.
“Mr Ricci, I?—”
“If you’re going to apologise for what happened this evening, I don’t want to fucking hear it.
You’re lucky Arturo only gave you that shiner, but let it happen again, and I’ll give him permission to carry out whatever he promised you.
” Mik’s gaze darted towards me as I shot him a wink, sealing Lorenzo’s words.
“It won’t, sir. I swear I won’t say anything about Isabella?—”
“You don’t get to speak her fuckin’ name!” I rose from my seat, closing the distance between us. “When you address her, you’ll address her as, ‘Boss’, you got that, sunshine?”
“I got it, Boss,” he murmured, clearing his throat. As I glanced behind me, Lorenzo gave me an amused look, it was safe to way he was impressed. Red was playing with a butterfly knife, trying to keep his chuckles to himself.
Satisfied my job was done here, I turned back to Mik and cocked my head to the side.
“Good, ‘cause I’ll be watching you closely, so make sure you don’t fuck up again.
Else it’s play time.” Flicking my eyebrows up, I patted my palm against his cheek before striding towards the door and holding it open. Mik immediately took that as his cue.
Closing the door with a click, I turned back to find Red holding my full again glass.
“Fuck, you’re good,” he laughed.
“He’s right, Arturo. These men need toughening up a little, you up for it?” Lorenzo asked, knocking his glass back.
“Always,” I smiled, downing my whisky.