Love & Vengeance
Vittoria Russo has spent the last year with one goal, revenge against the Mafia that destroyed her father.
Her father's debt led him into the hands of Ricardo Lombardi, the boss of a merciless Mafia which led to his death and the ruin of her family.
Now, Vittoria is determined to get her revenge and Infiltrates the Lombardi empire to destroy their boss.
But Ricardo isn't a regular Mafia bo
ss, known for being ruthless and wicked, he is a man of many secrets.
As she digs deeper, she uncovers two shocking truths: Ricardo is living under a fake name and is the heir of the castellano Mafia dynasty, a family with a bloodstained legacy and a deadly curse.
And her father wasn't the gambler she was made to believe but a cop who infiltrated the Mafia to expose their crimes.
Vittoria’s plan for revenge begins to falter as she develops feelings for Ricardo. Meanwhile, Ricardo, drawn to her resilience and determination, finds himself falling in love with the woman who plans to destroy him.
But with old enemies closing in and the weight of their secrets, Vittoria must make an impossible choice: Avenge her father's death or protect the man she has come to love.
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Chapter: CHAPTER FORTY ONERicardo’s POVI watched Vittoria walk away, her footsteps fading into the corridor.My gaze lingered on the door for a moment, a mix of conflicting emotions filling my chest.I let out a breath, focusing on the task at hand.Valerio cleared his throat, drawing my attention. He was standing by the window, his arms folded across his chest as he watched me, his lips curled into a smirk.“Boss, let's continue from where we stopped.”“Ah yes,” I replied. “So what were we saying?”I said as he joined me by the desk.He slid a folder across the table to me and I grabbed it and opened, inside were reports of possible sites, a building permit and then the paper containing the demand of the local Mafia. The Nucci family.My jaw tightened as I looked through the figures. They were asking for an outrageous cut, and there was no way I was going to give it to them.“They're testing us,” I said, pushing the folder away. “They want to see how far they can push before we give up.”But that wasn't going
Last Updated: 2025-02-21
Chapter: CHAPTER FORTYVittoria's POVMy stomach twisted as I went through all the excuses I rehearsed in my head, but they all felt like lies under her sharp gaze.“Mama, I…,” I began, my voice trembling despite all my efforts to keep calm. “There was an emergency….”“An emergency,”she repeated, her tone angry and disbelieving. “What kind of emergency will stop you from coming home for two days? Vittoria, you said it was a work dinner. What kind of dinner leads to an emergency?”“Mama…..,” I started, contemplating what to say to pacify her.“I don't think you're being safe vittoria,” she said, her hands on her waist. “I want you to leave that organization, and I'm not taking no for an answer.”The shrill tone of Mama's phone jolted her and she turned quickly and rushed into the house.I sank into the couch, watching Mama place the phone on her ear.My heart hammered in my chest and I twisted my fingers nervously on my lap. Who could be calling her now? I wondered, dread settling in my stomach.She nodded a
Last Updated: 2025-02-20
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY NINEVittoria's POV “Be my girlfriend, Vittoria.”It took a moment for the words to register in my head and when it did, I froze, my heart pounding in my chest with different emotions struggling for dominance.Girlfriend? The idea of it bounced in my head. The rational part of me said a big no, he was Ricardo Lombardi, he had a hand in my father's death.But the rational side of me wouldn't have been naked in bed with him.I opened my mouth, wanting to speak but I didn't know what to say. “Ricardo….I,” I finally managed to say, panic evident in my voice.He pressed a gentle finger to my lips, “it's alright, you don't have to give me an answer now.”he said, his voice steady and calm.“Just think about it,” he continued and I nodded.He tucked a strand of hair behind my ear, the gesture causing my cheeks to heat up.Then a sharp knock sounded at the door, followed by three quick knocks.We both froze, staring at each other. “Boss?” Mr Palazzo’s voice called from outside. “We need you.”Ri
Last Updated: 2025-02-19
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY EIGHT Vittoria's POV Our lips met in a mix of warmth and urgency, a shiver running through me. His hands rubbed against my sides, his fingers under my blouse as he pulled me closer, deepening the kiss. I sighed softly against his mouth, my pulse drumming loudly in my ears. He tasted like mint and I leaned closer into him, my fingers tightening around his shoulders. The scent of his to mouth as he angled his head, claiming my mouth more firmly. I rose on my toes, pressing myself against his chest. His tongue brushed against my lower lip, and a tremor raced down my spine. I parted my lips, allowing him in and a soft moan escaped from me. He moved his hands to my hair, tangling his fingers gently but possessively. The other hand moved down, cupping my hip, pulling me in until not even a sliver of space remained between us. My skin burned wherever he touched, every nerve buzzing to life from the thrill of being near him. Each brush of his lips, every movement of his body made it all
Last Updated: 2025-02-18
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN Vittoria's POV How is that possible? I wondered, turning his hand to examine. His skin was smooth, as if the wound had never existed. My mind raced as I remembered it, his hand was dripping blood and he had wrapped it with a cloth. So where was it now?Was the cut not that deep? Ricardo pulled his hands from mine, “what's the problem?” I opened my mouth, the question clear in my mind, How don't you have a scar?but something clamped it down, I don't know if it was fear or just the underlying belief that he wouldn't tell me the truth. “Nothing,” I replied, sounding casual. “I was just admiring your hands, you have very fine hands.” His gaze lingered on me for a moment before Marco's voice cut through. “Boss.” Marco approached us, his usual swagger absent, a bandage covered one side of his face, the left side. His jaw was tight but he still had a half smile. “Doc said I will live. I might even look tougher with a scar.” I knew he was trying to make something good out of it, I
Last Updated: 2025-02-17
Chapter: CHAPTER THIRTY SIXVittoria's POV I nodded and walked out of the room with him, we descended down the stairs into the living room.It was already bright, the early morning light spilt into the room through the tall windows.My stomach fluttered with anxiety and excitement.When we entered the room, we saw some of the Lombardi men sitting around with injuries of different kinds. Marco was sitting on the floor, his legs spread apart, he was holding the side of his face like there was a wound there.“I'll get the doctor immediately,” Mr Palazzo announced and rushed back upstairs.Ricardo was sitting on the couch, his shoulders squared as he looked down at Marco, talking to him.The moment I saw him, my eyes scanned over him, looking for a sign of an injury, bruises, blood, anything.There was none.A wave of relief washed over me, it was so intense that tears burned at the corner of my eyes.Before I could think I rushed towards him, my heart hammering in my chest. He looked up and saw me, his gaze soften
Last Updated: 2025-02-16
Chapter: CHAPTER NINELinda's POV I stood at the kitchen door and watched my mother, the smell of freshly baked apple pie wafting through the air.She was humming softly, her back facing me as she moved around the oven.My heart pounded against my ribs as I imagined how she would react when I told her.But I had to, I couldn't let her believe I was pregnant for Scott, even though the truth was much worse.“Mum,” I started, my voice a little above a whisper and she turned to me with a smile.“I didn't know you were back, How was the interview?”“It was good, I hope I get the job.”“You will, dear,” she replied. “And if you don't get that one, I'm sure they're others that are yet to call for an interview.”“That's true,” I said, nodding slowly.“Can we talk?” I asked, looking at my feet. Her smile faded and she turned off the oven and wiped her hands with a towel. “Is everything alright? Is it the baby?”“It's not the baby, well it is but not what you think.” I answered, avoiding her gaze.“So what is it t
Last Updated: 2025-01-15
Chapter: CHAPTER EIGHT Linda's POV Two pink lines stared back at me, clear and undeniable.Positive.I sat frozen on the toilet seat, the weight of my situation pressing down on me like heavy rocks.My hands shook as I dropped the test stick on the floor, staring at the pink lines as if they would magically disappear.I was pregnant.I let out a breath, my mind racing as I tried to remember the events of that night. They still weren't clear.I gripped the edges of the toilet seat, trying to ground myself against the wave of panic that was rising in me.“Linda?” My mum called, “Are you okay in there?”“I'm fine!” I forced out, my voice cracking.“You've been in there for a while now, I'm assuming the test was positive.”I chuckled, of course my mum would figure it out.I opened the bathroom door slowly and stepped out to see my mum seated on the bed waiting for me with her arms crossed and a knowing expression on her face.“Mum I..” I started but she raised her hands up to stop me.“It's alright, we'll get
Last Updated: 2025-01-13
Chapter: CHAPTER SEVENLaura's POVIt made me sick.The golden chandeliers, the flowers, the soft music playing in the background.It was disgustingly perfect, I felt like I was going to vomit.A celebration built on betrayal. Everyone looked so happy, the hall was buzzing with excitement and joy. I looked around at the guests, roughly a month ago, some of them had gathered at Scott's wedding, with the same excitement they were showing now.Except it was a different bride and the wedding didn't hold.I couldn't fake a smile if I tried. I wasn't there to celebrate, I was there for answers and to make Scott Shepherd and Cynthia whatever her name was squirm in their perfectly polished shoes.Draped in a dark green dress that hugged my curves I moved through the crowd, some of the audience recognized me, most of them our school mates, their eyes widened with shock as they whispered to each other.I knew what they were thinking. What is she doing here? Is she going to cause a scene?My initial plan was to make
Last Updated: 2025-01-10
Chapter: CHAPTER SIXLinda's POV I stared at the screen for some time, contemplating whether I should accept the call or not.My fingers hovered over the decline button but I couldn't bring myself to press it.A part of me wanted to answer, to know what he had to say. But another side of me was too angry to hear his voice.The phone rang again, vibrating violently in my hand.“Get it over with,” I whispered, swiping the accept option and taking the phone to my ear.For a moment, there was nothing from the other end. Only silence.“Scott?” I said hesitantly.Then I heard a female voice, “Wow! She actually picked up,” followed by a laugh.I didn't need to guess who it was. Cynthia.She was speaking to someone in the background.“She's obviously not over you Scott,” she said loudly in a mocking tone.My heart dropped when I heard another voice– a deep, familiar voice. I knew who it was immediately. Scott.It felt like a dagger was twisting in my stomach.The sound of their laughter grew louder on the phone,
Last Updated: 2025-01-09
Chapter: CHAPTER FIVE Linda's POV The air in the sitting room felt heavy and suffocating. My mother’s voice sounded so distant as she called out to me.“Linda? Are you okay?” I couldn't answer, my throat tightened as I bent down to pick up the card.Maybe I had imagined it, If I took another look maybe…I hadn't imagined it. The names Scott Shepherd and Cynthia Ryle burned into my eyes as I took another look at the card.It couldn't be real. No, it didn't feel real.The sound of blood rushing to my ears drowned out everything around me.The weight of the betrayal was just too much to bear.First, he left me on the wedding day, and now he was marrying Cynthia. Cynthia!“Linda?” my mother said again, her hands reaching out to steady me.I shook my head, pulling away from her as I moved towards the couch and sat down.I looked down at the card, my fingers were clenched so tightly around it that I was close to tearing it.“Linda, what's going on?” My mother asked slowly, sitting beside me on the couch.I pas
Last Updated: 2024-12-27
Chapter: CHAPTER FOUR Linda's POV “Listen, Linda,” Laura said, squeezing my hand to bring me back to the present. I looked up at her as she leaned back on her chair, studying me. “Look I know waking up next to some stranger you don't know is…..weird. But it happens. You don't have to stress yourself over it.” I frowned, staring down at my coffee. “It doesn't just happen Laura, and it feels wrong.” “But it's not wrong though, is it? Because you're single, that bastard Scott left you and you don't owe him any loyalty.” Laura said bluntly, frustration evident in her tone. “For years, he controlled everything, your life, your choices, everything! Maybe this wasn't ideal, but for once just let go.” “H..He wasn't controlling me,” I stuttered, startled by her outburst. “Yes, yes he did,” Laura replied. “you got offered admission to MIT, your dream school, but you decided to go all the way to California because of that bastard.” “But you were also going to California,”I answered. “Was it because
Last Updated: 2024-12-13
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