Page 59 of Beautiful Desire

Reaching for a pen, I turn the picture over and scribble something on the back before tossing it into my drawer. Out of sight, out of mind, right?

Taking a big swig of my now-lukewarm coffee, I settle in for the long night I have ahead of me and start going through more client files, hoping I can focus on something other than that picture in my drawer.

CHAPTER18

ARTURO

Age 14 – Sicily

“Arturo, wait up!”

Turning around, I see Massimo, my best friend, running toward me, trying to catch up. Usually, I would slow down and wait for him, but not today. I need to get far away fromthathouse. I make it to the edge of the clearing when I hear his footsteps crunch against the dirt and gravel behind me. Not bothering to turn around, I keep on trekking, destination unknown.

I see him out of the corner of my eye, still not bothering to glance in his direction. I really just want to be alone right now, but I don’t say it. He’s the only person I feel like Icantrust lately.

Grabbing at his side, he huffs out a breath.

“What’s wrong? How come you didn’t wait for me?” he asks through ragged breaths.

He’s a scrawny, lanky kid, with shaggy brown hair and bright blue eyes almost the same color as mine. You’d think he’d be able to keep up with me and not be so out of shape.

I ignore his questions and continue my path with no destination in mind. The more distance I can put between myself and the house of horrors, the better. Maybe that will erase what I witnessed last night, why I didn’t get any sleep and the reason I can’t even stomach looking at my father and brothers the same way.

Lost in my thoughts, I jump when I feel Massimo’s hand on my shoulder. This time, when I peer over my shoulder at him, I stop when I see the concerned and worried look on his face.

“What’s going on? You haven’t been yourself today.” His eyes are pleading with me, and I know if anyone would understand, it would be him.

Sighing, I run my hand down my face and take a deep breath. I’ve tried all day not to think about what happened last night, and here I am, willingly reliving it so I can tell my friend. Looking around, I see a little alcove just off the dirt road and grab his shirt, hauling him in that direction.

“Come on,” I say.

His feet start moving, and I hold on to his shirt the entire time. Just as we’re about to approach the alcove, I take one last look around to make sure we’re alone and no one can hear us before I drag him inside.

Shielded in darkness, I drop my hand from his shirt and wipe my now-sweaty palms on my jean-clad legs. Huffing out a breath, I swallow down the nausea that wants to come up.

“What I’m about to tell you stays between us. Capisce?”

“Always. Who else would I tell? You know you’re my only friend,” he says with a bit of a chuckle to lighten the mood.

But all that does is make my stomach churn, because I hate the thought that no one else is friends with him for the simple fact that he’s a maid’s child. Or “figlio bastardo,” as everyone calls him. Bastard’s child.

I tamp down my anger because I hate that fucking nickname. It makes me feral. I nod, even though I know he can’t see because it’s so dark.

“I found out what my initiation is last night,” I tell him in a hushed tone.

“Ooh, is it some cool hazing ritual that involves being dropped in the woods in the dark and needing to find your way out?” he asks all cheerily.

“No,” I huff out.

“Is it some sort of scavenger hunt?” His voice gets a little higher when he says hunt.

“No,” I whisper-shout.

He steps in closer to me, and I can feel his breath on my face when he speaks. “Do they make you lose your virginity and your dad, your brothers, and his men stand in a circle and watch? I don’t know if I would be able to perform under those circumstances, no matter how hot the girl was. I mean, I would definitely try, but that’s a lot of pressure, you know? And then what would the girl think? Do you get to—”

“Massimo, stop!” I raise my voice at him to get him to stop talking. “It’s none of those, but if you don’t stop guessing, I won’t be able to tell you.”

“Oh. Sorry, man. Go ahead, brother,” he says as he clamps his hand down on my shoulder before taking a step back.

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