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CHAPTER TWENTY TWO
Last Updated:
2025-02-01 09:53:15
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Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY THREE
Vittoria's POVMy breath hitched in my throat as he walked slowly towards me, the water was still dripping from his damp hair down his chest.I should move. I should leave. But I didn't. Instead I stood there waiting for him to come to me.My hands tightened around the doorframe as he closed the space between us, my heart pounding against my chest.I inhaled sharply as his scent filled my nostrils– fresh soap and something woodsy.The air between us crackled and I felt my body tense with anticipation. “Do you need something Vittoria?” He asked, his gaze focused on my lips.I swallowed, my throat dry. “Ummm–”He lifted a hand and brushed my cheeks with his fingers, his featherlight touch sending shivers down my spine.My lips parted, letting out a shaky breath as his thumb traced the corner of my mouth.This isn't why I'm here, I should stop this.But I didn't.He leaned in, his face inches from mine, his breath fanning my lips. His gaze was intense, searching my face. As if he was
Last Updated : 2025-02-01Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY FOUR
Vittoria's POV My eyes fluttered open, and I sat up, my body still tangled in the sheets. I hadn't even realized when I fell asleep.The afternoon light streamed through the windows into the room, casting a golden hue.Ricardo lay beside me, his breathing deep and steady, his chest rising and falling with every breath.He looked so peaceful in his sleep, unlike the controlled, icy appearance he always portrayed.As I watched him, memories of the morning filled my head causing my cheeks to heat up.I shifted away from him carefully, pulling the sheets around me as I stood up.The air in the room was cool against my skin, sending a shiver down my spine. I quickly picked up another sheet and covered Ricardo's body.I looked around his room, it was so much like him, with the dark polished furniture, the rich, dark curtains and the faint scent of his cologne filling the air.Then something caught my eye. Near the far wall was a small opening, it looked like a vault or a kind of compartmen
Last Updated : 2025-02-01Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY FIVE
Vittoria's POV I read the message over and over again, my hands gripping the phone. I swallowed hard, my mind racing with questions, the major one was, What does this person want from me? I tried calling the number but it wasn't going through, I tried with the other numbers that had called but the same response. “Miss Balotelli, are you okay?” The driver suddenly asked. I flinched and looked up to see he was watching me from the rearview mirror, concern obvious in his eyes. I forced a small smile, “yes I'm fine, I'm fine.” I answered, my voice trembling. He didn't look convinced but he nodded and focused on the road. I tightened my grip on my phone, my pulse pounding in my ears. The first time I had received a call from +374, I thought it was a prank. But from the moment he said my real name I should have known. It escaped my mind because of the whole kidnapping stuff but I had to do something about it. By the time the driver pulled up in my street, my heart was sti
Last Updated : 2025-02-02Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY SIX
Vittoria's POV“No. It's not possible,” was what I repeated to myself, over and over again as I watched where the stranger just left.“It can't be him, nobody survived Ricardo's onslaught,” I whispered to myself.Eric Gambino was dead, I was sure of it.But, the man I had just seen across the street looked just like him. It's not like I had known Eric for a long time but it was just the day before when I was with him.I shook my head vigorously, “It can't be him,” and walked down the street, hailed a taxi and went home.“Mama,” I called as I entered the house, she was in the kitchen already, about to make dinner.“You took your time Cara mia,” she said seriously as she turned to me. “I can explain.”“I know that you're an adult now, and you have a dangerous mission that you've imposed on yourself. But I'm your mother, and this is my house, you should tell me where you're going before you rush out. Do you understand?”I nodded slowly, and brought the takeout bag forward, “Actually,” I
Last Updated : 2025-02-03Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY SEVEN
Vittoria's POV I stood in front of my mirror, smoothing the sleek fabric of my dress.The dark red dress hugged my curves, accentuating my figure in an elegant way.The thin straps of the dress rested delicately on my shoulders with my collarbone and the curve of my neck exposed.A single gold pendant rested on my neck just above the dip of my dress.The matching earrings were subtle but elegant and I wore soft makeup. I styled my hair in loose waves that cascaded down my back and framed my face.I looked absolutely stunning.A sharp horn outside jolted me from my thoughts and I quickly grabbed my clutch and hurried downstairs.As I reached the living room, mama was seated on the couch watching the news and she turned to look at me, taking in the dress, make up and jewelry.She frowned, “Are you going on a date?”I froze for a second before forcing a small laugh. “No, mama.” I said quickly. “It's a kind of work dinner.”Her expression didn't change as she stared back at me, my mama wa
Last Updated : 2025-02-05Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY EIGHT
Vittoria's POV I placed my hand in his without hesitation, we left the table and went outside the restaurant and up a flight of stairs until we reached the rooftop.The space was quiet with the skyline of Manhattan stretched out in front of us.He stood near the edge, his eyes on a large, modern hotel a few blocks away. The sign on top read, The magnolia.“You know, this hotel…” he started softly, his voice filled with wistfulness, “it was nothing like it is now, it was very raggedy, no one cared to stay there.”I looked at the hotel, it didn't look like it had ever been as bad as he said, but they must have renovated it.But what surprised me was the image of the formidable, polished man standing in front of me knowing about this hotel.I thought the Lombardi's were always rich, but then the memory of the documents I saw in his room came to me. Ricardo may not be who everyone thinks he is.“You…..lived here?” I asked, my voice filled with curiosity.He nodded and pulled a cigar from
Last Updated : 2025-02-06Love & Vengeance CHAPTER TWENTY NINE
Vittoria's POVBefore he could grab me a blur of motion caught my eye and Ricardo appeared behind him, his jaw clenched with fury. He grabbed the attacker from the neck and slammed him to the ground with so much force.“Stay down,” he growled and I complied immediately.The man groaned trying to get up, but Ricardo stepped on his back with his foot, holding him in place.“Are you hurt,” Ricardo asked me, his chest rising and falling.“No,” I said, shaking my head.“Okay,” he nodded, turning to scan the rooftop. The other men were on the floor but two were already standing up.Ricardo stepped in front of me, shielding me with his body.I looked at my phone to see that Mr Palazzo had picked the call.“We've been ambushed,” I quickly said to him.“What!!! How? Where are you guys?” He asked, “you know what, just put on your phone location, we'll track you.”“Okay,” I replied and did as he said.The first man charged at us, swinging a wild punch at Ricardo’s head. Ricardo dodged it smooth
Last Updated : 2025-02-08Love & Vengeance CHAPTER THIRTY
Vittoria's POV Behind Marco, Mr Palazzo followed, his usual composure shattered.I sighed with relief and sagged against the wall, my phone slipping from my hands.The Lombardi men fanned out to secure the rooftop and I turned to Ricardo, he was still pinning Eric to the wall, his hands shiny red as he punched Eric over and over again.“Ricardo!” Mr Palazzo barked, running towards him.But Ricardo didn't stop, another punch landed on Eric's head with a loud crack. His face was a ruin now, his nose was shattered, one of his eyes was swollen shut but Ricardo's arm drew back again.“Enough!” Mr Palazzo shouted grabbing Ricardo’s shoulder, he wasn't strong enough to do much but Ricardo turned to look at him. “You'll kill him if you go on like this.”Ricardo’s eyes were wild, feral, it was a side of him I had never seen before. For a heartbeat I thought he was going to strike Mr Palazzo.“My intentions precisely,” Ricardo replied, his voice ice cold as he pushed Mr Palazzo off him and tur
Last Updated : 2025-02-09
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Love & Vengeance CHAPTER FORTY TWO
Ricardo’s POVPanic rose in my chest. My parents had warned us of this possibility. That one day, the other families would realize that we were not indestructible.But we didn't think there would be this many, from the looks of it, it wasn't just one family. They had united against us.The main question that rang in my mind as I watched some of our men run to face them was how they knew about silver.It was a family secret, passed from generation to generation. The only way they could have found out was if someone, someone with the same curse told them. I couldn't believe it would be a family member, it had to be someone else.We had always felt so secure, so invincible in our home.I heard shouts echo from below, I heard Papa’s voice barking orders.My pulse thundered in my ears as I banged on my sister’s door. “Clara, come out!!! We have been attacked.” She yanked the door open, her dark eyes wide. “What are you talking about?” she demanded, the book she had been reading forgotten
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER FORTY ONE
Ricardo’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
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER FORTY
Vittoria'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
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER THIRTY NINE
Vittoria'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
Love & Vengeance 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
Love & Vengeance 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
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER THIRTY SIX
Vittoria'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
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER THIRTY FIVE
Vittoria's POV It was Mr Palazzo, the sound of the book falling must have woken him up.My hands trembled as I thought of what to do, my back still facing him.“Vittoria, what are you doing?” He asked again, taking a step forward.I quickly tucked the small book under my top, my heart pounding so loudly I was sure he could hear it.I quickly picked up the thick book from the table and held it up.I turned to face him, a nervous smile plastered on my face. “Ohhh ….I was just looking around because I couldn't sleep, and I found a library so I decided to find something to read.” I said quickly, trying to sound as casual as possible.Mr Palazzo watched me quietly with his sharp gaze, his expression unreadable. For a moment I thought he had caught on to something suspicious but then he smiled.“I couldn't sleep either,” he said, moving closer. “No matter how hard I tried, I guess we're both just really worried.”“I guess so,” I replied.“But I would advise you not to go wandering about in
Love & Vengeance CHAPTER THIRTY FOUR
Vittoria's POV The helicopter descended through a veil of mist revealing what looked like an estate.It was a large property with sweeping lawns and tall elegant trees lining the driveway. Even in the dim light, I could still make out the grandeur of the place.The main house was massive, with bright lights illuminating the corinthian columns and casting a warm glow on the manicured gardens.As we touched down, the pilot moved the helicopter to a spacious landing pad near the house.The blades stopped moving and I exhaled in relief.When the door opened, the cold rush of morning air hit me.Mr Palazzo stepped out first, and I followed him with the three maids behind us.“Is this the Lombardi country house?” I asked Mr Palazzo and he shook his head.“No, it's the Boss's country house.”A group of maids rushed towards us, their eyes darting nervously as if they were expecting an attack soon.One of them, a tall lady with a kind face, moved towards me. “Come with me, miss. I'll get you
