Page 80 of Prince of Vice
"It's obvious. That's why this hurts so much. He's completely broken your heart." She pauses, then asks tentatively, "Do you think he feels the same way about you?"
"I thought he did," I admit, fighting back tears. "But how could he, if he could just walk away from everything we had together?" I recount the morning before the trial when Primo suggested he get another lawyer because of my kidnapping.
"Wait, what?" Eve exclaims, shocked. "You were kidnapped? Was it the loan sharks? Why didn't you tell me?"
"I'm sorry," I apologize, feeling guilty. "It was just a blur with the trial. No, it wasn’t the loan shark people. Actually, I haven’t heard from them since the last incident and I have a feeling they’ve been handled. I can’t prove it, but I’m pretty sure it was the prosecution behind the kidnapping. Primo wanted to switch lawyers because of it. I told him it would ruin my career, and he said I didn't need one because I could just live with him."
As I speak, I can feel my words hanging in the air between us. The café's cozy ambiance seems to fade away, leaving me feeling exposed and raw. In this moment, I realize just how deeply interwoven Primo has become in my life – and just how difficult it will be to untangle myself from his world.
"Bella, you're not just a live-in house call," Eve insists, her eyes fierce with conviction. "You know that, and Primo knows that too."
"Maybe he does, but–" I throw up my hands in exasperation. "I can't figure this guy out. Maybe it's better if I just move on and stop trying." I sigh, feeling my words sink in. "I don't want a life filled with risks, where I constantly worry about my safety and any children we might have. That's not what I want."
Just as the words escape my lips, a voice – one I haven't heard in a week – echoes over me. "Is that how you truly feel?"
I look up, locking eyes with Primo. He's standing there, looking polished and impossibly handsome as always. My heart rate spikes just from seeing him.
"Are you going to introduce me to your sister?" he asks, his voice low and smooth.
"Absolutely not," I retort, my heart pounding in my chest. "I don't even want to talk to you right now."
Primo raises an eyebrow, unfazed by my anger. "I understand, but I would like to have a private conversation with you."
"Too bad." I cross my arms, defiant. "I'm having breakfast with my sister, and things shouldn't always be on your terms."
He nods, acknowledging my point. With a deep breath, he introduces himself to Eve, who seems instantly captivated by his charm. "May I join you?"
"Of course!" she exclaims, much to my annoyance. I shoot her a dirty look, which she dismisses with a sheepish shrug.
As Primo slides into the booth beside Eve, their conversation begins to flow effortlessly. He asks about her work, learning that she is indeed a doctor. "Ah, quite the smart pair of sisters," he comments, a hint of admiration in his eyes.
Eve beams, her cheeks flushed with excitement. She shoots me discreet glances, mouthing the words "he's so handsome" as if I could somehow forget the magnetic pull of Primo's presence.
As they continue to chat, I find myself caught in a whirlwind of emotions – anger, sadness, and an undeniable longing for the man sitting across from me. The café's warm atmosphere seems to grow heavier, the air thick with unspoken words and desires that threaten to swallow me whole.
I shake my head, trying to clear my thoughts. How can one man have such a powerful hold over me? And more importantly, will I ever be able to break free?
As we finish our food, Primo smoothly insists on paying the bill, making it impossible for me to argue. As the three of us step outside into the crisp morning air,
I watch Eve and Primo exchange pleasantries with an unsettling ease.
"Eve, it's been a pleasure meeting you," he says, his eyes warm and sincere. "I apologize for interrupting your breakfast."
"Please, don't worry about it," she replies with a smile, her earlier awe replaced by genuine fondness.
She pulls me into a tender hug, her breath tickling my ear as she whispers, "Give him a chance – at least hear him out." I grumble indistinctly, reluctant to admit that there might be merit in her words. We exchange goodbyes, and I promise to keep her updated.
"May I walk with you?" Primo asks, his voice tentative but hopeful.
"Fine," I snap. "I'm walking. I can't control what you do."
As we stroll side by side toward my car, the silence between us is heavy, pregnant with unspoken emotions. Unable to bear it any longer, I stop and confront him. "How did you know where I was?"
His smile is bittersweet as he glances down at my chest. "You're still wearing my necklace," he reminds me gently.
My fingers trace the delicate chain, and I realize with a jolt that I never took it off, despite knowing it had a GPS chip hidden within. Why? What hold does this man have over me?
We continue walking, the distance between us both physical and emotional. As we approach my car, Primo speaks up. "I've decided to return to the family business—"