Chapter 19 #2
She paused, removing her headphones, as if she was waiting for me to get out. So I did.
“Isabella, I’m?—”
“Please, don’t say you’re sorry. Especially when you don’t mean it.” She scoffed.
“I—”
“Funny how as soon as you get your fix of my pussy, the following day you start brushing me off like I’m some sort of fucking whore!”
“That’s not—” I started.
“Yeah well your words and actions sure make me feel like one!” She let out a deep breath, her eyes closing momentarily.
“You can accompany me to my grandfather’s house but we’re not going to talk…
ever again. Just so we’re clear, I want nothing from you.
” I blinked as the pain slammed into me.
“My father may have told you that you’ll always have a place in our family, but the moment he steps down is the moment I throw you out.
You mean nothing to me. Do you understand?
” With that, she took off down the road, leaving me alone.
I swallowed as her words struck me again and again like bullets.
As I turned to walk back to the SUV, my phone vibrated in my back pocket. It was probably Lorenzo checking in.
Wow, you really hurt her feelings, huh?
Furious, I glanced around at the wooded area to each side of me, someone was here—watching the pair of us.
Look around all you want, you’ll never find me.
I tried to find Isabella but she’d disappeared from view. My heart dropped out of my chest the moment I couldn’t find her.
Does Lorenzo know you’re so careless with his daughter?
Fuck you!
Thought so.
“Isabella!” I screamed only to be met with no response. “Isabella, this isn’t fuckin’ funny!”
I frantically looked around a little longer, only hearing the sound of the birds chirping in the trees. That woman was goin’ to be the death of me.
I hurried back inside the SUV and sped in the direction of Artem and Carmella’s home. For the first time in over thirteen years I started to panic. Isabella knew these roads and woods like the back of her hand but that didn’t change the fact that I was pissed.
Exactly six minutes later, I pulled up to my final destination, tires screeching as the car came to a stand still. Moments later, I spotted something emerge from the trees beside the house.
Isabella.
Thank god.
Jumping out of the car, I shouted over to her. “Isabella, are you takin’ the piss?” I stormed towards her. The look on her face infuriated me. She knew what she was doing and she was incredibly smug about it. “What the fuck?” I bellowed, no longer caring who heard.
“I took a shortcut, I couldn’t wait for you all day.
” She spun on her heel, her ponytail whipping my face.
“Now, if you don’t mind, I'm going inside. You can stand out here all day for all I care.” I gripped my fists as she sauntered off towards the door.
It opened a second later revealing an older gentleman who wrapped her in his tight embrace.
“ Deda .” She squealed with delight, her previous anger vanishing.
“I’ve missed you, tsvetok , how are you?” The man, who I knew by photograph to be Artem, smiled.
“Sorry, I need to come around more,” she said.
“Yes, you do! You’re just like your mother, never wanting to sit still for too long.” They both burst into a bout of laughter and even though the sun was burning a hole into my back, I felt cold.
And I had nobody to blame but myself.
Carmella appeared at the doorway, as she waved me inside. Her silver hair was neatly pinned into a bun at the nape of her neck, and she gave me a warm, friendly smile.
“Arturo, are you coming inside? I’ve made some fresh lemonade,” she beamed, holding out a hand to me.
I jogged up the few steps leading to the front door only to be met with a kiss on the cheek. This family was the definition of the word. You could tell they welcomed each and every member of the team, no matter how long they’d been a part of the Ricci clan.
“It’s nice of you to join Isabella.”
“Just followin’ orders,” I followed her inside, Isabella already lost in conversation with Artem who waved at me politely.
“Of course,” she tutted with a giggle, knowing exactly what Lorenzo is like.
“Arturo, I’m taking my granddaughter outside to train today, you’re welcome to join us, or you can keep my wife company,” Artem offered as he was already halfway out the door to the garden.
“I’ll join you,” I called after him.
After being handed a glass of lemonade, I made my way out to the garden.
My eyes widened as I took in its incredible beauty.
From collections of blooming flowers and large trees to relaxing water features, they had created their own safe haven.
It was exactly what my mother had always wanted, but never had the means of having.
With how quiet it was out here, you’d never have guessed New York was just on the other side of these walls.
I sat on the bench not far from where Bella and her grandfather spared.
Cursing, I lit a cigarette and tried not to allow the intrusive thoughts of how badly I’d fucked up distract me from focusing on them.
Lorenzo was right, Artem was incredible for an older man.
He was stealthy, powerful and knew every move Bella would make seconds before she did.
He pushed her above and beyond her limits and she let him without complaint.
Despite the heat of the day, she fought harder and faster than I’d ever seen her in the gym.
But something was off. She was tense and uptight, so much so it was making her moves choppy and downright sloppy.
“Get out of your head, mishka ,” Artem snapped, but despite his tone, it was clear he wasn’t angry, just worried and concerned.
“I am,” she panted much to his annoyance.
“You aren’t concentrating,” his fist connected with her shoulder as she let her guard down.
“I am!” Same words, same anger.
I stubbed yet another cigarette out on the patio, taking my eyes off of Bella for a split second only to hear a heart stopping thud.
My eyes met the pair quicker than my next breath, only to find her lying flat on her back, breathing laboured.
Artem towered over her, but this time I couldn’t understand what was being said, Bella nodded in agreement as Artem relaxed down onto the grass beside her.
Was this about me? Sighing I walked back towards the house, giving them space.
Could she not see how this was tearing me up inside?
I finally had her in my bed, wrapped in my arms only to have her taken away from me.
I wanted to roar in fury but knew I couldn’t. I felt helpless.
The question was, is my desire and need for her more important than her safety?
No, it fucking wasn’t.