Chapter 12 Teo
twelve
Teo
“You don’t sound thrilled to hear from me,” Stephanie’s voice came through the phone, dry but laced with sarcasm. The low hum of the treadmill filled the background as I swiped a towel across my face, slowing my pace just enough to answer.
“Because I’m not.”
“I thought you’d be in a better mood now that your fiancée is in town. The wedding is approaching. She is in your home. Isn’t that what you’ve been waiting for?”
I smirked, taking a swig from my water bottle. “I’m actually in a great mood, Steph.”
“Then what’s the problem?”
“You don’t call unless it’s something that’s gonna eat up my whole day. And I finally got her here. It only took me six whole years. We got shit to do today.”
I knew I sounded like a bitch, but honestly I didn’t care how I sounded to my long-time friend and attorney.
Steph had been around for the past ten years, and fixing our family’s problems for at least the past five.
Not only was she well-indoctrinated in my world, she also understood the family hierarchy, their roles, and the leverage we had over so many.
Needless to say, she knew where the bodies were buried.
So, sounding like a lovesick man to her didn’t bother me in the least.
She laughed softly, then sucked her teeth. “You literally have the rest of your life to spend with Ayanna. My goodness, she really does have you wrapped around her finger, doesn’t she? The big bad Teo is taking a day off. I never thought I’d see the day.”
“What do you want Steph?” I laughed at the accuracy. If I could get away with not being bothered today, I would.
“What exactly happened with Isabella the other night?”
That one name caused me to groan audibly.
“That’s the perfect way to kill my mood,” I shut the treadmill down and eased my feet to the floor.
“Well, what happened? Did you threaten her? Because you know I keep my ear to the streets and there’s been rumblings. I’ve been hearing some shit coming from the Vitale side. Isabella’s out here talking about how you’re disrespecting her family and the faction to anybody that will listen.”
“Oh yeah,” I walked over to the small fridge I had located in my home gym and grabbed another water bottle.
“This is serious, Teo. I told you, she was going to be a problem the second you let your dick get involved.”
“I’ll take care of it.”
“Absolutely not. Let me do my job. You have too much on the line to be at war with the Vitales. From what I can tell, Gianni doesn’t even know she out here moving like this.
But you understand he will ride with her out of pure loyalty if you harm her.
Right?” She scoffed. It was low, and muffled like she had stepped away from her speaker.
“You sure know how to pick ‘em, don’t you?”
I shook my head, “Yeah, well, hindsight is always 20/20. I can handle Gianni and Isabella Vitale. If it comes to that.”
“I know you can,” she deadpanned, and I knew she was rolling her eyes. “But you can’t afford to financially. You can’t let Jersey happen all over again — not this close to the merging of families.”
I didn’t respond, but my jaw tightened at the memory. Jersey. My first real test as a made man—and the one time I almost let a bitch get me caught up.
Ariah was connected to a crew out there.
Big enough to make moves across the city, but not big enough to touch any of the Five Families that ran the boroughs.
Back then, I was focused on my rise, stepping into my power.
Making people fear and respect me was my only goal.
Women threw themselves at me left and right.
Sometimes I indulged if they were cute enough, and I was in need of some pussy.
The problem was, Ariah couldn’t handle being a jump-off. She thought she could change my mind. She wanted more—thought her pussy was enough to force my hand. When I didn’t give it to her, the bitch tried to set me up. Had her people hit one of my routes, not realizing it was a Donatelli operation.
Not just any Donatelli operation, but my operation. I wasn’t some low-level runner, or rising foot soldier. I was thee Donatelli. The one calling the shots. The boss. Heir to this entire empire.
She pissed a lot of people off with that hit, including the Colombians.
They didn’t take kindly to having their operations disrupted, and it nearly sparked a war between our family and theirs.
I had to work overtime to get our shit back, and prove I could handle her treachery.
By the time I brought order between my family and our connect in Colombia, I’d wiped out Ariah’s entire crew.
Including her. Jersey was one of the reasons I was so well-respected and feared.
I’d put in the work. But it still taught me a valuable lesson — don’t let these bitches get too comfortable.
While Stephanie made sure the events of Jersey never touched me, I knew she was right about Isabella. She had to be handled with finesse. She wouldn’t be able to sweep the tension under the rug as easily this time. Isabella was not only family-adjacent, but she was also cunning and observant.
“Teo?” Stephanie’s voice snapped me back to the moment.
“Yeah, I hear you.”
“Good. There is too much on the line. You can’t go around beefing with Gianni’s daughter. And you definitely can’t dispose of her... Teo.” Her voice was closer now and pointed. “Let me deal with Miss Isabella, and you keep your lil’ attack dog off her.”
I let out a short laugh. “Keem’s just doing what he does best, Steph.”
“Well between you and him, y’all are going to start a war. Just let me handle her and you focus on the wedding.”
Grabbing a towel from the bench, I wiped down my face and neck, letting her words settle over me.
“Speaking of, I need you and Ayanna in my office this week. We’ve got a few things to go over—the new boutique paperwork, prenup discussions, and other family business.”
I sighed, tossing the towel aside. “Can it wait until next week after the wedding, and possibly after the honeymoon?”
“Afraid not. You need to protect your assets, Teo,” she said on an exasperated sigh, because she had been trying to push this prenup shit on me since I bought Yanna her boutique, and announced the wedding was moving up.
I knew she was only doing her job, protecting the Donatelli name, the empire, and the legacy.
But she could do that without insulting my future wife.
I hadn’t asked for a prenup. It was never agreed upon.
And I wasn’t about to insult Ayanna with some bullshit.
“No, to the prenup.”
“Teo,” she sighed, but I cut her off.
“No. You can do all the other shit, but we aren’t doing that.”
Stephanie exhaled sharply, and I could practically see her pinching the bridge of her nose through the phone. “You’re playing with fire, Teo. This isn’t about insulting Ayanna—it’s about protecting what’s yours. The empire your family has built, and the wealth you have accumulated.”
“I understand your concerns, Steph, but I’m not budging on this.
Ayanna is mine, and I will protect her just as strongly as I protect the family legacy.
She’s not a threat to my assets; she’s a part of them now.
It’s best that you trust me on this. You handle the other paperwork, and I’ll handle my wife. ”
Stephanie was silent for a beat, and I could tell she was weighing whether to press the issue. “Fine,” she finally said, her tone even.
She wanted to press but knew better than to keep pushing. She was aware that I didn’t tolerate any disrespect toward Yanna...ever. And going back and forth with me about this would only piss me off.
“Call to let me know what day you plan on stopping by. I’ll be sure to have the deed to the boutique and home ready for both of your signatures.”
I nodded, even though she couldn’t see it. “Alright.”
“I’ll see you both later. Oh, and Teo—”
But her voice faded into background noise as my focus shifted.
Ayanna had just walked past the gym, a streak of red.
It was quick, but not so fast that I didn’t notice her sneaking a glance inside.
Her steps slowed, just enough to let her eyes crawl down my body.
I caught the hint of approval in her gaze as it lingered on my bare chest, tattoos, and sweat-slicked skin.
When her lips parted, I couldn’t help but smirk.
She tried to keep it moving, but I quickly strolled across the room until I caught up with her.
“Teo?” Stephanie’s voice snapped me back to our conversation.
“Steph, Yanna and I will see you later.” I ended the call without waiting for her reply. My attention was already fixed on Ayanna’s flushed face.
Ayanna glanced up at me, trying—and failing—to look unaffected. Her eyes stayed fixed on my face. She was fighting for her life, trying not to let her eyes drift down my torso.
“So… where are we off to this morning?” I asked.
“I wasn’t aware we had plans.” She folded her arms over her chest, as she exaggerated the word we.
My smirk deepened. “Well… we do. You had breakfast yet?”
“Not yet.”
“Good, then it’s a breakfast date.” I straightened up and walked toward my room, knowing she’d follow. “You still like pancakes, right? With extra syrup?” I turned just in time to see her suppress a smile. It was too late, I had already caught her.
“Yes,” she graciously told me.
“Good deal. Let me shower and we can grab food, and then swing by your new boutique. Give me ten. Unless you want to join me.”
My smile deepened when she paused like she might say yes... then rolled her eyes instead.
“Didn’t think so. Don’t go anywhere.” I lightly kissed her forehead.