Chapter 21 #2
“Need a hand… Boss ?” I held my hand out to him, intrigued to see if he’d accept my help or not.
Much to my surprise, he did. I pulled him to his feet as he wiped the blood from his lip.
“You’re good. Too fucking good.” He slapped his strapped up hand against my shoulder, pride radiating from him. It was something I hadn’t felt in a while, not since my days with Mr Hamilton. “It’s an honour to have you on my team, Arturo. Thanks for looking out for my daughter.”
“The honour is all mine, Lorenzo. I ain’t felt welcome like this in a while,” I took a swig of my water that was handed to me by Emmet.
“Remind me never to get into the ring with you, pal. I ain’t down for a beating, unlike Boss here.” Emmet joked, elbowing Lorenzo in the ribs.
It was strange to see the men get on as well as they did.
I wasn’t used to seeing a team joke and laugh with their leader.
The men and leaders I had grown up around relished their people cowering in fear.
Both Frank and his father were formidable.
Fuck, their men even trembled when I was around too.
“So, you ready for Saturday? It’s a big night,” Lorenzo asked as he lowered himself onto the mat. The men followed his lead.
“Ah, the ball, yeah?” I wasn’t one for fancy bloody events. They were a shit show just waiting to happen. And I wasn’t jumping for joy at the thought of all the men in the room eye fucking Bella.
“I trust you’ve put a plan in place for Isabella’s safety?
I know I have a long-standing alliance with these families, but that doesn’t mean I trust them or their sons as far as I could throw them,” Lorenzo spoke in a firm tone.
I could tell he was worried for Isabella, but he needn’t be.
Whilst I was around, no fucker would touch her.
Fuck, I missed her.
“It’s taken care of, trust me. You hired me to train her and ensure she was safe at all times and that’s exactly what I plan to do.”
Lorenzo took a swig of his water as all their eyes fell upon me. “Having my trust is big, Arturo, don’t let me down.”
“Isabella’s safety is my number one priority as it is for the rest of the team.” It was the complete and utter truth.
“That’s what we like to hear, kid,” Red teased, slapping his palm on his bare thigh. “Bella is our family, and she’ll slowly become yours too.”
I stilled, my blood running cold. I hadn’t allowed myself attachments for a long time. And just the thought that one day I wouldn’t have to be alone made my heart ache.
Dream on, wanker. She’d never become my family. I’d ruined any chance I had.
“Who’s family?” I turned to see Red’s son walking towards us.
“Ty! You missed the fun. We just watched the boss get his ass handed to him,” Red shouted over.
“Aw, what?” Tyler sulked. “I never get to join in on the fun.”
“Well if you weren’t out thinking with your dick all the time, you might get more involved.” Emmet chortled, giving Gino a fist bump. Tyler rolled his eyes and frowned.
“Hey! I wasn’t out fucking around. Uncle Lorenzo asked me to check out those dudes hanging around downtown.” Tyler folded his arms and scowled.
“And what did you find out?” Lorenzo’s eyes narrowed, instantly back to business.
“Not much. Two of ‘em ditched the second they saw me. Must know who I am. But I did pummel the one guy left. He didn’t know who was calling the shots, just that they were to keep sales numbers low and to move around the neighbourhoods” I cocked my head at this.
Keeping sales numbers low was likely to ensure they didn’t arouse suspicion.
“Someone’s selling on my turf and trying to keep it quiet.” I peered over at Lorenzo, it’s like we’d been reading each other’s minds.
“Who’d be stupid enough to do that?” Red asked, getting to his feet.
“No idea,” Tyler replied, dropping to the mat.
“Hmm, what did you do with the asshole selling?”
“Thought it’d be best no one found out that we know so I let him go… on the provision that he keeps me in the loop. Gave him a burner.”
Lorenzo smiled before ruffling Tyler’s blue mohawk. “Good,”
“But seriously guys, why don’t you ever let me join the fights?” Tyler whined. Rolling my eyes, I kipped up to my feet and crouched low.
“We can go for a round, if you’re up to the challenge?” Tyler grinned and stood up. Good, I’d been looking for a reason to kick his arse.
Saturday night rolled around faster than I had anticipated, especially considering how strained things were with Isabella.
She had begun to find it easy to brush me off during our workouts, only talking to me when needed and it was eating me up inside.
My insomnia was back with a vengeance and now not even running would give me a reprieve.
And when I did sleep it was to wake minutes later with furious body shakes and a lasting vision of Bella lying lifeless in my arms in a pool of her own blood.
I had never felt so helpless or so angry.
Shoving away the dark thoughts and the nightmares, I buttoned up my crisp black shirt and stared at myself in the mirror. My sleepless nights were beginning to take their toll as I noticed the dark circles beneath my eyes.
Despite only being on hand for Isabella's protection, Lorenzo had given strict instructions that tonight everyone was to be smartly dressed. I knew announcing Isabella as his successor instead of Luca tonight was a huge deal for him. The alliances were already well aware they’d have to deal with Luca once Lorenzo stepped down, I just hoped they would show Isabella the same welcome and respect they gave her twin brother.
They fuckin’ better do anyway.
“Holy shit, Arturo, you look smart.” Tyler chuckled before letting out a whistle.
“Ty, isn’t it about your bedtime?” I laughed as he joined in, spinning on his heel in full circle.
We were suddenly joined by Luca, Andre, and an incredibly smartly dressed Theo. He looked rather proud of himself as he sprinted down the stairs, stopping only to leap into my arms.
“Arturo!”
“Hey, little man!” I caught him just in time.
He was going to hurt himself one day.
“Hey! How do I look?” he asked, beaming up at me.
“Like a boss,” I winked, giving his tiny fist a little bump. I had never seen a suit so small, but then again I’d never really paid attention before.
“Right, Theo,” Luca laughed, “you’re coming with me and Uncle Andre, are you ready?
” Theo nodded before slithering out of my arms. Without a word he darted towards the door, his brand new trainers squeaking across the marble.
“We’ll meet you there, man.” Luca slapped me on the back as he hurried off after his son.
Tyler and Andre followed while I waited for Isabella to make her grand appearance. It had been days since we’d last spoken, and to my knowledge she had been caught up with Lorenzo learning about all the Ricci’s accounts.
“Arturo, my boy.”
Speak of the devil.
I cleared my expression and peered up the stairs to find Lorenzo rounding the corner with Ana on his arm. And fuck, they screamed power couple.
“Everybody ready to go?” Lorenzo asked.
I nodded. “Yes. My team are in the cars ready to go. We’re doing a trio split so we’re covered front and back,” I crossed my hands at my front.
“Good plan.” Lorenzo nodded curtly at me.
“Isabella will be down in a moment, and then we can get going,” a soft smile broke out across Ana’s lips as she spoke.
We exchanged small talk for what felt like an eternity until I could no longer focus on our conversation. Hearing the unfamiliar sound of heels across the marble immediately grabbed my attention. I swallowed and held my breath as I stared up the staircase.
“Are you ready to see our girl?” Ana asked her husband.
“Always,” he replied, placing a kiss upon his wife’s temple.
As I tuned out the loving couple, Isabella appeared on the top step.
The moment her face came into view she knocked the air from my lungs.
A black, sequinned dress clung to her body in all the right places.
Her hair tumbled in waves around her shoulders, stopping just shy of her waist. Despite the distance I could tell she wore hardly any makeup, a light coat of mascara at a push, and a dusting of something that caused her lips to glisten slightly.
This woman was bare faced and fuck me, she beautiful.
“Isabella, you look breathtaking,” Lorenzo beamed as she approached the three of us. He looked so damn proud I couldn’t help but smile a little.
“Thank you, Pa,” she blushed, accepting his kiss on the cheek. As she hugged Ana tightly her eyes met mine over her mother’s shoulder. Electricity crackled between us, making my heart kick up. I fought the urge to tell her how stunning she looked and turned to look at the door.
I need to get a grip and let her go.
Sounded easy enough, but in reality it was anything but.
“Good evening, Arturo.” She forced with a smile. I cursed under my breath as she came to stand before me. It was the politest she’d been recently, and I knew not to read too much into it. We were both walking a fine line to keep the illusion going for her parents.
“Good evenin’, Miss Ricci.” My eyes flickered to hers before glancing down to her lips. Fuck, I wanted to kiss her more than ever. I clenched my fists and breathed deeply.
Big mistake. At that proximity her perfume was clouding my body in its delicious sweet, yet spicy aroma and it made me want to grasp her neck and shove against a wall before having my way with her.
Clearing my throat, I indicated towards the door.
“After you.” To my surprise she merely nodded and headed out, followed by Ana and Lorenzo, blissfully unaware of my dirty, dirty thoughts.
Tonight was going to be a very long evening.