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 THREE Vittoria's POV The man who I had spent the last six months planning to destroy.He was standing right in front of me and I couldn't even move.I tried to keep my expression neutral as hands gripped my bag strap.He moved his gaze from me to the man on the floor and I subconsciously moved out of the way for him to pass.“So…what has he said?” He asked, walking towards the couch Mr Palazzo was sitting on.He sat down beside him and Mr Palazzo leaned forward and explained whatever it was that they discovered.“Hmmm,” he murmured, leaning back into the couch. “Interesting.”Suddenly he sat up again, his eyes flashing. “Aguero” He said gently and the bruised man struggled to turn towards him.“Si” he managed to answer.“Six years,” he started, leaning forward. “We have worked together for six years Aguero and you betrayed me, for what? I don't believe what you told them so I'm going to give you one last chance.”“Don, what I said was true, I swe….,” one of the enforcers kicked him before
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
Chapter: CHAPTER TWO Vittoria’s POVI froze, my fingers clenched even tighter. Francesco Russo was my father's name, he knew who I was.Or did he?I tried my best to maintain my composure. “The name sounds familiar,” I started. “I think I saw it on the news, he's dead right?”He nodded slowly, still watching me. “Yes, he’s dead.”I remembered the day his body was pulled out of the river, my Mammà was so devastated. Some members of the Lombardi Mafia were there that day, watching.I had hoped none of them would recognize me but it seemed like I had been deceiving myself.“Okay, miss Balotelli,” he finally said. “You can go.”I took my file from him, my hands shaking as I stood up and walked out of the office.The moment I was out I let out a breath, for a moment I thought he had caught on to who I was but he let me go.I don't think he would have let me go if he knew who I really was.I walked out of the building and hailed a taxi back home.I looked out the car window, my hands placed on my chest. “That w
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
Chapter: CHAPTER ONE Vittoria's POVI have never believed in forgiveness.Not for the Lombardi's. Not after they destroyed my family.The Lombardi's killed my father.That was the thought I woke up to every morning. The thought that tightened my chest and stayed there, squeezing tighter every hour.I looked outside the kitchen window, watching the birds land softly on the skeletal branches of the Maple tree.It had been six months since my father's body was pulled out of the Hudson River, a year since he went missing.A gust of wind blew, scattering the birds from the tree. They flew away, their coloured wings flapping frantically against the gray sky.It was a beautiful sight, but I couldn't bring myself to smile.Vittoria, you're doing it again,” Mama said from behind, interrupting my thoughts. “Doing what?” I asked, turning to face her.“Brooding.” she said, placing her hands on her hips.“I'm not brooding.” I said, my voice coming out sharper than I intended. She sighed, and moved towards the dining
Last Updated: 2025-01-04
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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