The Slave of Pleasure
Chapter 125

Vincenzo Pacing back and forth in the cell had become a compulsive ritual. Each step echoed in the confined space, a constant reminder of my momentary helplessness. Anxiety gnawed at my thoughts, and the weight of my past decisions became

more unbearable by the second. Rachel's image wouldn't leave my mind. Her smile, her stubbornness, the way she managed to defy everything and everyone... And now, she was in the hands of Veronica, a woman I knew all too well. Veronica. Her name was like poison in my mouth. I always knew she was ruthless, but bringing Rachel into the middle of this dirty game? That was beyond any limit. My hands clenched into fists, and my jaw ached from being so tense. I had to get out of here.

The sound of footsteps approaching the cell made my heart race. I looked up, and there they were: Nancy, now with an expression of urgency I hadn't seen before, and two high-ranking police officers. Among them was the police chief, a middle-aged man with a skeptical look and an inflexible posture.

"Vincenzo Moretti." His voice echoed through the cell, full of authority.

"What is it?" I asked, my voice low but full of impatience.

Nancy stepped forward and raised her hand, holding a sealed envelope.

"They tested the hair I brought. It's Veronica's." Her voice was firm, almost defiant.

For a brief moment, a glimmer of hope crossed my mind. This was proof. A direct link to Veronica. But the police chief's skeptical gaze quickly erased that feeling.

"And what exactly does that prove?" he asked, crossing his arms. "That you have a connection to Veronica? That you're in on some kind of plan?"

My blood boiled at the accusation, but I knew that exploding now would only make things worse. I took a deep breath and looked the man straight in the eye. "I have nothing to do with Veronica or her world anymore. She was a dark part of my past, but that's over." The precinct leader narrowed his eyes, weighing every word. "And what guarantees that this isn't just an ambush? You've been involved in illicit activities before. How do we know you're not trying to lure us into a trap?" My control snapped. I punched the fence so hard that the entire structure shook. The officers instinctively took a step back, but kept their hands close to their weapons. "Because she's with Rachel!" I shouted, my voice reverberating through the cell. "And I'm going to get her out of there. No matter what happens to me later." Nancy, who had been silent until then, stepped forward. "You need to understand that Veronica isn't playing around. She'll do anything to achieve her goals. Vincenzo may not be the perfect hero, but he's the only one who knows Veronica well enough to handle her." The precinct leader's eyes flickered from Nancy to me, his expression still unreadable. For a few seconds, silence reigned. Then he sighed heavily and signaled to the other officers.

"We're going to release you temporarily." His voice was firm, but it carried a warning tone. "But pay attention, Moretti. Any sign of betrayal, any suspicious movement, and you won't even have a chance to regret it."

He placed his hand on the handle of the gun at his waist to reinforce his threat. I stared at him, allowing my anger to show.

"When this is all over," I said, my voice low but full of determination, "I will indeed need to come back here. Because I will kill Veronica for what she did to Rachel."

The officers gave me worried looks, but no one said anything. One of them unlocked the cell door, and I stepped out, stretching my tense muscles. Being out of that cramped space gave me a momentary sense of relief, but there was no time to rest. Rachel was still in danger.

7---

As we walked through the corridors of the police station, Nancy walked beside me, her steps determined. She gave me a look that mixed concern and curiosity.

"Are you really going to kill her?" she asked, her voice low enough that the others wouldn't hear.

I didn't answer right away. Instead, I let my mind wander over all the things Veronica had done.

"If necessary, yes," I finally answered, without taking my eyes off the path ahead.

Nancy nodded, seeming to accept my answer. But there was something else in her gaze, something I couldn't quite decipher.

When we reached the police station's operations room, the officers were gathered around a table covered in maps and reports. The precinct leader pointed to a specific area on the map.

"This is the territory we know Veronica usually uses as a hideout. But it's well-guarded. If she's there, it won't be easy to get in."

I approached the table, analyzing the map carefully. Each marked point represented a possible threat, but but also an opportunity.

"She's methodical," I said, more to myself than to the others. "But she's also arrogant. She always leaves a loophole, something she thinks no one will notice."

"And what would that loophole be?" the leader asked, his voice full of skepticism.

I looked at him, my expression serious.

"I'll only replace out when we get there."

The officers looked at each other, clearly uncomfortable with my answer. But there was no other option. Veronica was unpredictable, but I knew how she thought. As we prepared to leave, Nancy approached me again.

"Vincenzo..." she began hesitantly.

"What is it?" I asked, noticing the seriousness in her tone.

She looked at the officers around her, making sure no one was listening, and then whispered:

"I took something from her."

I was surprised, but also intrigued.

"What do you mean?"

Nancy discreetly opened her hand, revealing a small strand of hair. My heart raced.

"This could be useful," she said, tucking the strand back into her pocket.

I nodded, impressed by her cunning. Nancy might seem out of place in all of this, but she was proving to be more valuable than anyone could have imagined.

The path to Veronica's hideout would be long and dangerous, but I was prepared. Every moment that passed was a lost opportunity to save Rachel, and I couldn't let this continue.

"Vincenzo." The voice of the precinct leader pulled me from my thoughts.

I turned to him, waiting for what he had to say.

"Remember, we've been watching you all the time."

I didn't answer, just nodded. My priorities were clear, and nothing, and no one, was going to stop me from accomplishing my mission.

As we walked out of the precinct, I felt the weight of everything that was to come. Veronica wasn't just an enemy; She was a reminder of the past I had tried to leave behind. But now, that past had come back to haunt me. And I would do whatever it took to protect Rachel. Even if it meant facing my own demons.