Page 22 of Prince of Vice

Teddy chuckles softly, clearly amused by my concern for the young lawyer. "Shouldn't be a problem, brother. Just give me a few minutes to grab the right tools and we'll have you out of those chains."

"Thanks, Teddy," I murmur, my gratitude genuine but tempered by the knowledge of the risks we're taking. As Teddy disappears into the shadows of the gym, I find myself lost in thought, contemplating the tasks ahead of me. There's so much work to be done, so many loose threads to tie up, and the thought of tackling them head-on fills me with a sense of purpose I've been sorely missing.

The metallic clink of tools against the concrete floor snaps me back to reality, and I watch as Teddy expertly dismantles the ankle monitor. My body tenses with anticipation, ready to burst into action once I'm finally free.

"Alright, Primo," Teddy says, looking up at me with a grin. "You're good to go."

"Thank you," I breathe, the weight lifting from my chest as I take my first unrestricted step in months, feeling like a man reborn.

Chapter Ten

Isabella

I'm hunched over my cluttered desk, buried in files and briefs from cases I've neglected since Primo's case took center stage. My fingers trace the edge of a manila folder, itching to delve into the details of another case when the shrill ring of my phone startles me.

"Moretti speaking," I answer curtly, my pen poised above the legal pad in front of me.

"Ms. Moretti, this is Janet from the clerk's office." The woman on the other end sounds almost apologetic. "I'm calling about the Maldonado case – the prosecution has requested an emergency hearing for Monday."

"Monday?" I balk, my grip tightening around the pen. "That's far too soon; there's no need to rush something like this."

"Sorry, Ms. Moretti, but the judge has already decided. This call is just a courtesy."

"Fine." I sigh, tossing the pen onto the desk. There really is no point in arguing with the clerks. They just deliver the messages. "Thank you for letting me know."

I hang up and slide back from the desk, my legs feeling weak. Primo needs to know about this hearing, and he needs to know now. Pushing aside the other cases, I grab my purse and head for the door.

The familiar creak of my beat-up car's door greets me as I climb inside. As I navigate the winding roads toward Primo's mansion, my thoughts return to him. Our last meeting had been tense, but he'd ultimately agreed to follow my strategy. And then there was the way he'd pressed me against the wall, his body so close, his eyes burning into mine. A shiver runs down my spine as my cheeks flush with desire. But he's still so arrogant, so insufferable – how can I want someone like that?

My car coughs and sputters, drawing me out of my thoughts. A loud bang slices through the air, and I grip the steering wheel tighter, praying I can make it to the mansion. But as I turn into the long driveway, my car gives up the ghost.

"Damn it!" I curse, slamming my hand against the dashboard before stepping out of the vehicle.

The gravel crunches beneath my shoes as I trudge toward the mansion, a mixture of frustration and anticipation swirling within me.

Sweat trickles down my back from the effort despite the cooler fall temperatures as I finally reach the imposing front doors of the mansion. My legs ache, and my once-pristine clothes are now coated in a fine layer of dust kicked up from the long walk up the driveway. I take a deep breath to steady myself before knocking on the door.

"Isabella!" Teddy exclaims, opening the door with a guilty smile that doesn't quite reach his eyes. "You look exhausted. What happened?"

"Car troubles," I reply, trying to brush the dust off my clothing. "I need to speak with Primo – it's urgent."

"Ah, about that..." Teddy hesitates, scratching his head. "He's not available right now."

"Teddy, this is important. I'll wait." I step inside, glancing around at the expensive furnishings and lavish decorations adorning the entryway.

"Suit yourself, but you might be waiting for a while," he warns, leading me to a plush sitting area.

We sit on opposite ends of a luxurious couch, the silence between us growing heavy. To break the tension, I ask Teddy about his day, and we fall into an easy conversation about mundane topics – anything but the real reason I'm here.

Despite the small talk, I sense unease in Teddy. His eyes dart around the room, and he fidgets with the buttons on his shirt. He's hiding something, and my impatience grows with each passing minute.

"Teddy," I interrupt, no longer able to contain myself. "Where is Primo? This can't wait any longer."

"Uh, well, he's not here, Isabella," Teddy admits reluctantly. "He left earlier."

"Left?" I repeat incredulously. "How is that possible? He's supposed to be under house arrest!"

"Um..." Teddy rubs the back of his neck, avoiding eye contact. "I removed his bracelet... out of love."