Chapter 37 #2
You know we can make their death look like an accident, right?
I ain’t killin’ anyone here.
Oh… And what about when Bella creeps off with one of these guys, eh? She’ll be on her back before you have time to pull out that knife you keep hidden.
Will you just fuck off, just for one weekend.
Where would the fun be in that?
I felt her before I saw her. Bella had this way of sneaking up on me ,which considering the reason her father hired me for, wasn’t ideal.
Her smooth hands covered my eyes, as she breathed, “Guess who?” in my ear.
“There’s only one woman I’d allow to touch me that way, so it better be who I think it is,” I gripped her wrist, spinning her around to my front. An excited squeal left her glossed lips, a sound I adored because it meant she’d finally let her guard down. That she was enjoying herself with me.
“Dance with me.” There was a question hiding beneath that demand.
“I hate dancin’.” I scoffed, sipping my scotch.
“Please?” Her fingers slipped in mine as she pulled me onto the dance floor, I swiftly discarded my crystal tumbler onto a passing waiter’s tray.
As we found ourselves in middle of hundreds of other couples, the music slowed.
I frowned and looked around to see Lily staring at us.
A small smile told me the change of tune was her doing.
It was nice to see someone other than Bella’s family show her some kindness.
I let my hand rest on the small of her back, while the other took hers.
Without thinking I spun her around the dance floor, her feet barely touching the floor.
“But I thought you didn’t dance?”
“I said I hated it,” I replied, dipping her gently as a small gasp escaped her lips, “not that I wasn't good at it.”
“You’re a man of many talents, Arturo Ramos,” she smiled laying her head against my chest. I squeezed my eyes shut at the gentle compliment. They had never sat well with me, but coming from her, they did weird things to my heart.
Looking up, I glanced around at the other couples.
From all four corners I could feel the weight of people’s stares.
They all knew Isabella was the daughter of the infamous Lorenzo Ricci, but none knew me.
All they saw was the deadly edge I carried everywhere I went.
They could tell I wasn’t a normal fella. And they were right, I wasn’t.
“Stop paying attention to them,” she demanded.
“I don’t like how many guys stare at you like you’re a piece of meat. I’ll fuckin’ kill anyone who tries to touch you.”
That’s it… give into the urge.
“Arturo, don’t let them win.” I breathed out through my nose as she somehow pulled my attention back to her. “Look at me, and only me.” I lowered my eyes to hers and just then everything fell silent. “That’s it,” she soothed as she skated her thumb across my cheek in a soft, soothing motion.
“How do you do that? How do you make everything seem okay?”
“Because I’ve had plenty of practice.” I knew it hurt that nobody understood how much pain Bella carried each day. I only hoped I could help her the way she had been helping me from the start. “I’ll be right back. I’m just going to use the bathroom,” she placed a kiss on my cheek.
“I’ll walk you.”
“Arturo, it’s only over there, I’ll be fine,” she reassured me while squeezing my hand.
“Bella—”
“Stop. I promise, I’ll be in and out,” I watched her weave her way through the dancing guests, getting stopped along the way by Lily’s father. It was hard to stop myself watching her, it was as though I was always on edge when she wasn’t beside me.
“I can’t believe Bella came here with her bodyguard.
I wonder what she’s paying him to play the part of her date?
” Came a shrill voice to the left of me.
I carried on watching Isabella as I narrowed in on that voice, flashing a glance to my side to see Lily’s other bridesmaids, drinking champagne “God is she that dull that she couldn’t find someone real to ask her out?
” Annoyance bled into my stomach as the blond in the middle of them crinkled her nose and chugged the rest of her drink while rolling her eyes.
“There’s a reason she’s still a virgin, Amber,” another piped up, laughing.
“She’s probably never even gone down on a guy.
” Amber… Why was that name familiar? “I wouldn’t mind riding his dick though.
I bet he’s wild in the sack.” The one named Amber said, making me gag.
“He won’t be getting any from her, that’s for damn sure. ”
Yeah, right. I’d rather choke on my own vomit then go anywhere near you.
“Yeah, frigid, much? You should so totally make a move. Fifty bucks says he follows you upstairs before she comes back.” Just then, a thought popped into my head as I remembered details from the printed guest list I had one of the boys prepare for me.
I hadn’t clocked it before, but I knew these three girls.
Alright, I’d had enough of this shit.
Cracking my neck, I slid my way through the crowd and stepped up behind them, clearing my throat. Their jaws dropped as they turned and came face to face with my livid expression.
“Fifty bucks says you should mind your own fuckin’ business,” I said, leaning close to Amber. She popped her hip to one side and placed a hand to her waist.
“It’s Arthur, right?” I almost smirked at this blond bitch’s ignorance.
“I know it’s like your job or whatever to defend her but you’re not her boyfriend,” she purred, running her manicured fingers down my arm.
“What do you say we get a bottle of champagne and take this conversation somewhere more… private?”
“Nah, I’m good thanks. I don’t do desperate. Now I’d move your hand if you want to keep those fingers of yours.” Her eyes flashed as she licked her lips.
“You’re funny,” she giggled.
“I ain’t fuckin’ jokin’. I’ve hacked off more fingers than you’ve had hot dinners. And my guess is you want to keep that one for some poor fucker to put a ring on it.” I pointed at her ring finger to which her eyebrows drew together.
“Hey! You can’t talk to her like that!” the one behind chimed in.
“Yeah, like who the fuck do you think you are? Talking shit,” said the tall brunette to her left.
“The only ones talkin’ shit here, is you lot.
Do you really think you’re all better than Isabella?
Well, let me break it to you, she’s got more class, more intelligence, and more beauty in her fuckin’ pinky than all of you fake fucks have between you.
” At this, Amber narrowed her eyes and pursed her lips.
“So I’d be careful if I were you, mouthin’ off about people in public.
Especially ones with dangerous connections.
Otherwise you might just find yourself six feet under.
” Amber’s face paled at this as her cohorts looked away embarrassed, awkwardly sipping their drinks.
I stepped closer and leaned in to whisper in her ear.
“Still think I’m funny? Yeah, I didn’t think so.
Speak shit about my girl again and you’ll see exactly what kind of horrors I’m capable of. And trust me it won’t be a wild ride.’”
“Let me tell you something about Isabella Ricci,” she said, cocking her head from side to side.
“No one liked her. They still don’t. She wasn’t even one of our friends to begin with.
She was just some weird ass, nerdy little bitch that followed Peyton around in high school.
And if it wasn’t for her, Peyton would legit still be here.
Her and that fucked up family of hers got her killed.
Hell, I bet even her brother wishes she’d died instead of his girlfriend.
” At this my already thin patience wore away and I stepped up close, narrowing my gaze.
“Amber Emma Harding, I strongly suggest you sleep with the light on and with both your fuckin’ eyes open.
I’ve never killed a woman, but for you, I’m keen to make an exception.
” Her face fell the second she realised I knew her full name.
I wouldn’t do anything to her, but putting the fear in her felt so fucking good.
“You’re a freaking psycho!” said the one from behind her, who wrapped an arm around a now trembling Amber.
“That’s about the truest fuckin’ thing any of you have said,” I winked then turned back toward the bathroom.
Where was she?
As I made my way towards the stairs of the ballroom, in hunt of the ladies bathroom, a sorrowful looking Lily walked in front of me, stopping me in my tracks.
“I, uh… saw what happened just now. I’m so sorry about them.” To her credit she had the decency to look embarrassed. As she fucking should.
“You need to take a good look at who you hang around with, ‘cause they are fuckin’ poison,” I snapped.
“I know, I think this is the final straw. I’m cutting ties with them after tonight,” she grimaced, and I knew from her expression that she meant it.
“Good. They’ll only bring you down the way they’re bringing themselves down,” I nodded. “By the way, has Bella come out of the bathroom yet?”
“No, she’s been in there a while though.” she said, frowning.
“Didn’t think to check if she was alright then, no?” I held back my frustration and rushed inside.
“Arturo, that’s the ladies!” She called after me.
“Like I give a fuck!” I shouted.
My shoulder collided with the door expecting it to open, but of course, it didn’t. It was locked from the inside. At this, my blood ran cold.
Fuck!
This is your fault… They warned you.
Did you listen? Of course you fucking didn’t.
Growling, I gripped my fists and turned back the way I came.
“Lily, does the bathroom have an exit?” The panic must have been obvious in my voice, because her face instantly dropped.
“Yes, it leads out onto the beach.” Brilliant, just fuckin’ brilliant!
Steeling myself for a whole heap of pain later, I counted to three before charging at the locked bathroom door. The second I hit the centre the hinges gave way and the wood shattered into several broken pieces.
As I looked around to see the double doors wide open and not a soul in sight, my worst nightmare came true.
She was gone.
Fuck!
“BELLA!”