Page 28 of Prince of Vice

"Trust your instincts," she continues. "When you suspect something is going on, it usually is. You've always had good instincts."

Before I can respond, her phone trills with an incoming call. She glances at the screen and sighs, the corners of her mouth turning downward ever so slightly. "I'm sorry, dear, I have to take this. Duty calls."

We rise from our seats, our footsteps sounding softly on the checkered floor as we make our way toward the door. In the fading sunlight, her golden hair seems to shimmer, haloing her kind face. We embrace, the warmth of her body seeping into me, filling me with renewed strength.

"Take care, Isabella," she whispers into my ear before pulling away. "And remember – trust yourself."

As she walks away, I feel her words settle on my shoulders. Trust myself. It's a simple phrase, but one that has often eluded me in times of doubt.

The evening air kisses my cheeks with a gentle caress as I step outside. I marvel at how much time has passed, but it's always like this with Tammy. Hours feel like minutes.

As I walk up to my car, my thoughts are consumed by the trial and Primo and I momentarily lose track of my surroundings. I imagine Primo's dark eyes watching me, their depths hiding a secret longing for release, for the freedom to indulge in our shared desires without judgment or fear.

"Isabella," a voice rasps, as rough hands seize my arms, wrenching me from my reverie. A strange man’s twisted visage leers into mine as he spins me around, his grip on my arms like a vice. His eyes are bloodshot and wild, glinting with maliciousness in the dim light of the evening. I can sense his rage and desperation in equal measure.

"You thought you could just walk away from your family’s debts?” he growls, his voice barely recognizable through clenched teeth.

I try to shake him off, but it's no use; his grip is too strong. Fear clenches my chest as I realize I'm completely helpless against him.

“Your time is up and you’ve failed to pay. So, we’ll find another way you can pay off your debt.” He runs his hands down my body and I try and fight against him. “I think there’s plenty of men who will pay a few hundred dollars to play with you. You’ll get your balance paid off in no time.”

My mind races as I frantically try to figure out a way out of this situation. Nothing seems to work – he's stronger than me and has the upper hand.

"Let go of me!" I struggle against his hold, but his strength is unyielding. As he attempts to drag me toward his car, a dark voice pierces the night, freezing us both in place.

"I've already got one murder charge to my name, ragazzo." The word drips from Primo's lips like venom, his tall figure emerging from the shadows, an avenging angel bathed in moonlight. "Adding another wouldn't really be that big of a deal."

"Fuck off," the stranger spits, trying to maintain some semblance of control, but I can see the flicker of fear dance across his features.

"Watch your language," Primo warns, his tone cold and calm, a stark contrast to the rage simmering beneath the surface. "Let Isabella go."

The man’s grip falters for a moment but he refuses to release me, fueling Primo's anger. “Wrong choice,” Primo says. In an instant, Primo's fist connects with his jaw, the sickening crunch breaking through the night like a gunshot.

As the man crumples to the ground, Primo turns to face me then, his features composed but his gaze still smoldering with barely contained rage. He reaches out and takes my hand gently, slowly drawing me closer until I can feel his warmth radiating off of him like a beacon of comfort and protection. The scent of his cologne envelopes me, a heady mixture of leather and spices that ignites a fire within me.

"Are you okay?" he murmurs, his breath warm against my ear, my body responding.

"Yes," I whisper, pressing myself closer to him, seeking solace in his embrace. Primo reaches down and cups my face in his hands, finally giving me the permission I seek. As our eyes meet, I see the raw desire flickering there, a reflection of my own yearning to surrender to the darkness we share.

"Thank you, Primo," I murmur, and his lips curl into a ghost of a smile, both tender and fierce.

“I can’t have my lawyer go missing on me, can I?” he breathes out.

“You’d definitely lose without me,” I say, looking into his eyes.

“I would be lost without you,” he murmurs.

Then, as if on cue, our mouths meet, sealing our unspoken fate.

Chapter Thirteen

Isabella

Primo's lips break away from mine, leaving me breathless and burning with unbridled desire. His stormy eyes lock onto the loan shark as he tries to scramble to his feet. In an instant, Primo's suede loafer is planted firmly on the man's neck, pinning him down like a trapped animal.

"Touch her again," Primo snarls, "and it'll be the last thing you ever do."

My heart races as I watch the scene unfold, my body quivering with a mixture of fear and exhilaration. Primo pulls out his phone, and I clutch at his shirt, the desperation in my voice evident as I beg him not to put himself at risk.

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