Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations

Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations

last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-16
By:  Amelie BergenCompleted
Language: English
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Jacopo's hands roved down my body, and he crushed me to his chest as the kiss grew passionate. A soft moan escaped my lips as I savored the feeling of his touch. His hard frame pressed against me, and I could feel the unmistakable bulge in the crotch of his pants. "You want me even though you know how bad I am for you," he murmured against my lips, his voice rough with desire. I nodded, unable to form words. The feelings I felt for him were consuming me, and I knew there was no going back.Sophia's passion and dream was to restore art. Accepting a job from a mysterious wealthy man led her into a secretive world of the mafia, art theft, money laundering, and blood. But even with the danger that now surrounded her, Sophia chose to lose herself in the arms of the heir to the dirty empire behind it all. Could she survive the passion of the Italian mafia and their business, or will she become a victim of their world?Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations is created by Amelie Bergen, an eGlobal Creative Publishing signed author.

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Chapter 1

Chapter 1 : A Night at the Met

Sophie’s POV

‘I can't believe I'm walking and being celebrated in the same space the Met Gala is held every year,’ I thought to myself as I perused the ornate decorations that graced every wall and table.

The museum ballroom was tastefully decorated with a fusion of French elegance and New York grandeur. The walls were lined with glossy gold frames that highlighted the stunning artwork, and in the center of the room stood a magnificent marble sculpture in a glass display case.

I stood toward the front of the room and assessed the guests chatting excitedly. The tables were dressed with fine white linens, accented by tall golden candelabras and an array of crystal glasses and utensils. Ornamental vases filled with vibrant flowers adorned every corner, adding a splash of color to balance out the more traditional aesthetic. Meanwhile, guests mingled in tuxedos and long gowns that sparkled under the flickering chandelier light.

I glanced down at my ballgown and was thankful a stylist had helped dress me. I wasn't one to make a fuss about what I wore because I lived my life in the closed tombs of museums restoring art hundreds of years old. I typically wore paint-covered shirts and overalls. But today, I was dressed in the most beautiful gown I'd ever seen.

My tall, thin frame stood out as a canvas of femininity and softness. At least that was what me and the stylist were aiming for. The fabric was light and flowing - an ivory color that was touched with hints of blush around the neckline and sleeves. A close-fitting bodice highlighted my petite waist while layers of tulle cascaded down my body like a waterfall, providing me with a dreamy touch to it.

The dress was accessorized with a sparkling diamond necklace that rested just below my collarbone and set off the delicate pearl earrings that glimmered in the chandelier light.

I sipped my flute of champagne as I listened to the director of the museum's speech. He was going on and on about the work I had done on the collection, and I couldn't help but blush as the compliments flew from his mouth.

"Sophia Anderson has been a gift from heaven. When we first decided the Manet/Degas collection was going to be made into a main exhibition, we didn't know that it had been damaged when it was transported. Much to our shock and horror, we panicked when we unpacked and assessed the pieces," he paused to look around the audience, then went on. "But a little birdy whispered Sophia's name in my ear. The next day I looked through a catalog of her work. I was transfixed by her ability to restore and make new old works without losing any of the original artist’s flair."

The whole room listened in quiet silence as they waited for the reveal of the art. There were large and small paintings covered with shiny, burgundy cloth. After my speech following the directors, the cloth would be pulled, and my work would be broadcast to the hundreds of guests in attendance.

This was easily the largest unveiling I'd had in my career. I stood with my back straight, a confident look plastered on my face, but my heart pounding at a million. I deserved to be here, I knew that. I deserved it because of the sacrifices I'd made to ensure my work was of the highest quality. The artists I restored merited only the highest caliper. But this was the first time I was celebrated and praised like this, and I felt a bit overwhelmed.

"Can we all please give Sophie a round of well-earned applause and welcome her to the Met?" the director asked.

I began my walk to the podium with a thunderous roar of applause and my hands shaking. The walls shook with the clamorous sound of clapping and wolf whistling, and a smile unlike any I'd smiled before broke out on my face.

My heels clicked on the marble floor as I walked confidently towards the podium, feeling nothing but strong and empowered, and also humbled by the whole ceremony. I stopped to address the crowd and felt the energy radiating off of every single person in attendance.

"Thank you Director Hollein for your kind words," I started my speech. "It's an absolute honor to be here and I'm so proud of my work. I've been passionate about art since I was a small child. My favorite thing to do was study the old masters and copy their techniques - learning from them, but also understanding how they worked so that I could incorporate my unique style in my pieces."

I paused and shuffled my note card quickly, carefully making sure I had the right one in order so I didn't make myself look like a fool in front of the most important art critics and enjoyers in New York City.

"Art has always been something that fills me with tranquility. It helps me to express myself in ways that words can't, and it gives me an overwhelming sense of accomplishment when my work is appreciated by others. I take great pride in what I do, and for this reason, each piece I restore is done with immense care and dedication," I took a breath and smiled widely at the crowd, then started my final note card. "When restoring works of art, even more care must be taken because you are preserving pieces of history while adding your personal touches to bring the piece back to life. It's truly a beautiful process for both artist and viewer alike - one that requires patience, creativity, and skill - but most importantly respect for the original work itself."

I nodded toward the staff members who had stealthily walked up to the covered art pieces. They were patiently waiting for the signal to pull the cloth from the paintings. "Without further ado, we present to you the Manet/Dega collection," I loudly announced.

The room radiated with anticipation as the coverings were pulled, revealing a stunning array of both Manet and Dega's work. The crowd burst out into a loud round of applause as each piece was shown. The colors were bold and vibrant, while the details originally made by the artists were exquisite and intricate, I was proud to give them life again.

Everyone gasped in amazement at what stood before them - works of art that had been brought back to life by none other than me. Tears brimmed in my eyes as I looked around the room in complete disbelief at what had just happened.

It was an amazing feeling to have the audience appreciate my talent - they could tell that I had put a lot of effort into this momentous unveiling. With one final bow, I thanked the crowd and left the stage to mingle with the guests.

As I walked around the room and made small talk with the attendees, I was reminded of the power of art. Art transcended language barriers and spoke directly to our souls - something that was always true no matter what happened or changed in the world around us.

Max Hollien approached me and hugged me, "Thank you for your hard work, Sophia. I don't know what we'd have done if this project wasn't finished."

"It was my pleasure, I assure you. Every historical piece I get to see and touch is truly the most rewarding thing. Every day, I'm blown away that this is my reality," I answered him, really ready to get the hell out of here now. Art was my passion, but mingling with strangers was my least favorite part.

"You've earned it. You come highly recommended from every museum you've worked with. If you have a moment, there is someone I'd like to introduce you to," Max informed me.

I nodded my permission, and he guided me through the crowd to stand in front of an older man with dark hair. It was graying around his ears, but it did it in a way that only made him appear stronger and more mature. He stood with his back ramrod straight, and he exuded charm and power.

"Sophia, this is Alessandro Rossi. Alessandro, this is Sophia Anderson," Max introduced us.

"Ah, the woman of the hour," Alessandro said as he leaned forward and kissed the back of my extended hand. His Italian accent was thick and warm, and I smiled at his words.

"Hello, Mr. Rossi. It's so nice to meet you. Are you an artist or a lover of the craft?" I asked.

He grinned at me, "I wish I was an artist. But, alas, God gave me other talents. No, my wife loved and appreciated art. Because of that, I have many pieces in my collection. Believe it or not, I'm here because I have a job offer for you."

My eyes widened in surprise. It wasn't uncommon to get offers at parties like this, but they were usually from other museums, not personal collectors.

"And what would that job offer be?" I questioned him.

He guided me toward a quiet corner of the large room, and replied, "I have a villa as well as a small collection that I'd love to have restored to its former glory. It's very special to me and very unique. I haven't been able to find someone I trust, but my gut says you're the woman to do it."

My curiosity was immediately piqued, so I asked him, "Where is the villa?"

"Tuscany," he breathed.

A small gasp escaped my mouth, and I gave him a surprised look, "Oh, Mr. Rossi. That's quite a leap from New York. I'll have to think about it and get back to you.”

He chuckled, a warm and candid smile on his lips. “I wouldn’t have expected you to accept so fast anyway. But do consider it, please.”

I could only nod and smile nervously back. This was a very unusual request, and I would have to ask other people about him more. “Please, get in contact with my assistant and we can discuss the project in more detail. If you'd excuse me, my chariot should be waiting to take me home. Cinderella has to be home before midnight, you know."

He smiled kindly at my joke and took the card with my phone number on it, "Of course. My flight leaves tomorrow evening, I'll try to call and schedule a meeting sometime tomorrow if you're available. Have a wonderful evening, Cinderella."

Max, knowing I was anxious to get the hell out of there, walked me toward the exit and said, "You know, Alessandro is a very powerful, influential man. Not many people are invited to see his collection. From what I've gathered, he has many rare, unique pieces. I think you should seriously consider his offer."

I looked up at him and replied, "Thanks for the advice, Max. And thank you for all of the kind words you said during your speech. I've enjoyed working with you."

“You really did save our collection, so please don’t hesitate to contact me if you ever need references,” he kindly added.

Max and I said our goodbyes, and I stepped outside the museum into a chilly autumn evening. I squinted against the glare of streetlights and pulled my jacket around me as I scanned the sidewalk for my Uber. All of a sudden, my heart stopped - to my left stood Robert, my ex, hands in his pockets, gaze downcast.

He looked up and smiled at me, and a chill raced down my spine. Robert stepped toward me with a menacing look in his eyes and I tensed up, unable to move or speak.

“Sophi, babe…” his honey tone only made me want to run.

What was he doing here?! Was he waiting for me? This can not be a coincidence.

Suddenly two burly men appeared out of the shadows and blocked Robert's path, effectively halting his approach.

Alessandro Rossi strode toward us, his face tight with worry. He stopped in front of me and narrowed his coal-black eyes. "Is this man bothering you, Ms. Anderson?" His accented, baritone voice cut through the quiet like a blade.

"He...I..." I stumbled over my response before Robert spoke.

"We're old acquaintances," Robert answered him, and fear skirted through my psyche.

Alessandro's gaze flicked between Robert and me before he finally said, "I think it would be best if you two were no longer in the same vicinity."

He motioned for his henchmen to move past him, effectively blocking Robert from my view. Robert yelled something at me that I couldn't make out.

When I could breathe again, I looked up at Alessandro and saw a small smile playing on his lips. He offered me his arm and asked, "Would you like a ride home?"

My mind raced with the implications of his offer - it was risky to get into some rich stranger's car late at night. But something about Alessandro made me feel safe, so I graciously said, "Yes, please."

Robert seemed particularly upset by this turn of events, but he kept his mouth shut as we climbed into the awaiting limo.

As we pulled away from the curb, Alessandro said quietly, "The world has no place for men who strike fear into women."

I pensively considered what he said. Had Robert's presence affected me enough to alert Alessandro to my dread upon seeing him? I felt like I hid my reaction well, but Alessandro must have a sense of danger.

The limo drove through the night, and I realized we were heading toward my apartment. What was strange was that I hadn't told Alessandro where I lived. I was reminded of what Max had said about him earlier, he was a powerful, influential man who was interested in me for a job. I was sure he'd already researched everything there was to know about me. Including my address, rich people didn't have the same boundaries and limitations working-class people had.

I stayed quiet for the drive, as did Alessandro. When we pulled up to my apartment, he said, "Please consider having lunch with me tomorrow. There are many things I'd like to discuss with you."

I gave him a small smile. "I'll reach out tomorrow to let you know. Thank you for the ride," I replied as the limo door was opened.

I stepped out and walked to my apartment building as Alessandro and his men watched. I walked as quickly as my heels would allow and locked my apartment with finality once I was inside. I let out a breath I hadn't realized I was holding and began to take stock of what had taken place.

The encounter with Robert, Alessandro coming to my rescue, his offer of employment… It was almost too much for one evening. It seemed like he knew a lot about me even though we'd just met. I felt strange but also excited by the prospect of getting to know him better.

I decided to sleep on his offer, so I took a quick shower and got into bed. I had a busy day, and I needed to rearrange my schedule in case I went to lunch with Alessandro Rossi. The fact that I already was thinking of doing it was surprising enough.

Was I ready to adventure myself to the unknown?

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50 Chapters
Chapter 1 : A Night at the Met
Sophie’s POV‘I can't believe I'm walking and being celebrated in the same space the Met Gala is held every year,’ I thought to myself as I perused the ornate decorations that graced every wall and table. The museum ballroom was tastefully decorated with a fusion of French elegance and New York grandeur. The walls were lined with glossy gold frames that highlighted the stunning artwork, and in the center of the room stood a magnificent marble sculpture in a glass display case. I stood toward the front of the room and assessed the guests chatting excitedly. The tables were dressed with fine white linens, accented by tall golden candelabras and an array of crystal glasses and utensils. Ornamental vases filled with vibrant flowers adorned every corner, adding a splash of color to balance out the more traditional aesthetic. Meanwhile, guests mingled in tuxedos and long gowns that sparkled under the flickering chandelier light. I glanced down at my ballgown and was thankful a styli
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 2 : An Interrupted Meet Cute
*Sophie’s POV*"Let's go, Soph. We don't have a lot of time. We have to be the first ones through the doors, or we'll miss the best stuff," my friend Luca urged me to hurry so we could get to the local flea market right at seven o’clock. "If you don't quit rushing me, I'm staying home," I threatened even though we both knew I was lying.I glanced at the clock and realized we only had twenty minutes to get there before the doors opened, so I bent over, stepped into my shoes, and ran for the door. "Hurry up, Luca! I don't want to be late," I jokingly yelled over my shoulder, much to Luca's annoyance.We walked down the three flights of stairs and exited my apartment. The smells and activity of the streets of New York assaulted our senses, and I looked around at the chaos of the city. The sidewalks were full of locals and tourists hurrying to their destinations, and children ran toward their schools gleefully. We wouldn't make it in time if we had to wait on public transit, so we
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 3 : The Proposal
*Sophie’s POV*My reflection stared back at me as I took in what I was wearing. Mr. Rossi had already seen me at my best when we first met at the unveiling, and I didn't want to show up in my grungy flea market attire. I came home to change, and Luca deserted me so he could go have lunch with Kylie and Minerva. I wore a simple black dress I bought recently, and I paired it with a pair of black high-heeled sandals that I bought because they made my already long legs look even longer. I pulled the top of my curly mop of hair into a top knot, and let the rest fall down my back. My dark brows framed my mocha-colored almond-shaped eyes, eyes that never cease to remind me of how much I physically resembled my mother.I had decided to skip makeup altogether except for a hint of blush and shiny lip gloss. Mr. Rossi seemed nice enough, but I didn't want him to get the wrong idea about how I was dressed. Men like him were used to getting whatever they wanted, but I wasn't interested in being
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 4 : Stars Aligned
*Sophie’s POV*Luca and I were now sitting on the plane, with Italy coming into view as we descended. We'd both managed to get our affairs in order and delegate our projects to other people, freeing up the time for the villa restoration. It had been easy for both of us, as we had finished up the large projects we were working on.We were both ecstatic to see what was in store for us here and the scenery around us was breathtaking. The vast expanse of land, revealed by the clouds slowly lifting, had our eyes wide open in amazement."Oh, my God," Luca said as he pointed to the countryside coming into view.The fields of rolling greens, lined up against a backdrop of snow-capped mountains seemed like something out of a postcard. The tiny little towns nestled in between them looked so quaint and peaceful from our vantage point in the air. Everything below just looked alive - buzzing with energy and life that only added to my excitement for this new adventure.My cheeks hurt from smili
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 5 : Unforseen Tempers
*Sophie’s POV*The reverberation of the front door hitting the wall caused us all to turn our heads. Alessandro Rossi stood in the doorway with an amused look on his face as he assessed the precarious situation the three of us had found ourselves in. His eyes moved from the scared expression on my face to the gun in the other man’s hand, and I swear he smiled.He wore an expensive suit that accentuated the muscular build of his body. His face was lined with age, but still handsomely chiseled. "Jacopo, put the gun away. Sophia and Luca were invited here by me, and I won't have you running them off because you're having one of your temper tantrums."Jacopo. That was the name of this handsome stranger that stole my breath at the flea market, and now stole my peace in Tuscany.Jacopo furrowed his brow and scowled at Alessandro. His gaze shifted to Luca and me, and he bared his teeth in a menacing expression. I held my breath as Jacopo tightened his grip on the gun before uncurling his
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 6 : Heated Confrontations
*Jacopo’s POV*The wooden cuckoo clock ticked away the seconds, each one feeling like an eternity as I waited for my father to return from his clandestine meeting. I watched through the large bay windows as a sliver of orange sun slowly descended behind the distant hills. The room dimmed, and gradually, shadows crept in, casting ominous shapes on the floor.The villa had been in our family for generations, and I knew every winding path, vine-draped wall, and creaking floorboard. As a child, I roamed these grounds with carefree pleasure; I slid down the banister of the grand stairway, climbed in the sprawling oak tree, and lay daydreaming beneath its shade. Now my father hinted at his plans to sell it—a thought that filled me with sadness.I sat on the couch in my father's study and looked around at all the familiar knickknacks and artifacts he had accumulated throughout his life; reminders of days long passed. It seemed unfair for him to just abandon everything like this without any
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 7 : Antiquities and Anxiety
*Sophie’s POV* Luca and I barely got six hours of sleep before we had to be back at the villa. Mr. Rossi's late wife had been an avid collector of all art mediums. We were walking to a storage building on the property where he held most of her collection, and Luca was blabbering on about the bedroom he slept in being haunted."I don't think that's possible," I said, trying to stifle a laugh. "Ghosts aren't real, Luca."He scoffed, "You don't know that."I rolled my eyes, "Sure, Luca. Keep telling yourself that.""You may not be a believer, but I am. I woke up three times to a woman's voice saying my name. The third time, I swear I felt someone breathing on my neck. How am I going to get anything done when ghosts are keeping me up all night?" he dramatically pretended to fall over from exhaustion.I rolled my eyes and listened to my work boots crunch against the gravel beneath my feet, "Stop. You're going to give me nightmares. If that happens, I'll kick your ass," I warned.We
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 8 : Surprise Help
*Sophia's POV*"Don't drink all the coffee, ass. I'm going to need that to get through everything we have to get done this morning," I admonished Luca when I saw him filling his cup for the third time this morning."You can always make another," he teased as he tipped the pot over."WE DON'T HAVE TIME. We have to be over at the villa in ten minutes. Give me that damn cup," I growled as I charged him.Luca laughed and handed me the cup, "Alright, alright, calm down. I'll be ready in two minutes."I took a sip of the hot coffee and sighed in relief. The warmth spread throughout my body, and I surveyed my notes for the millionth time.While Luca went to get changed, I pulled on my work boots and grabbed my coat. We set off, walking swiftly down the long gravel walkway that led to the villa.The morning sun had barely risen above the horizon when we arrived at our destination. The air was still chilly, but I had dressed lightly under my coat. I knew once the sun fully rose, and we s
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 9 : The Softer Side
*Jacopo’s POV*"Where the fuck is she?" I asked Dante, one of the men working under Sophia.He shrugged his shoulders and continued to take measurements for the contractor who was working on the foundation of the house.Everything was changing, and it was starting to piss me off. The house had been emptied and gutted. Every time I walked in and saw the damage, I felt like I was going to throw up. I needed to find Sophia and see what the end game was. She told me she wanted to restore the villa, but it sure as fuck didn't look like that.Luca saw me glowering his way, so he stood up straight and approached me, "Can I help you with something, Jacopo?" I rolled my eyes, "Where is she?" Something mischievous flashed in Luca's eyes, "Who do you mean?"It was obvious that these people had no idea who I was, or for that matter, who the Rossi Family was. Even worse, they seemed entirely too comfortable ignoring my orders and showing a complete lack of respect towards me. "You know e
last updateLast Updated : 2024-04-03
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Chapter 10 : Another Close Call
*Sophie’s POV*Luca and I knelt on the dusty, creaking floorboards of the upper level. We examined the contractors' blueprints as we discussed where to start replacing the worn-through beams with new ones. Our fingers traced along the yellow lines of the plan, lingering over certain areas that seemed too weak to bear any more weight."Luca," I started, "We've got to get the beams replaced. Without the strength from the new wood, we won't be able to bring anything new into the villa."He looked at me pensively, then replied, "I know, I just didn't realize when we started how compromised some of it would be. It's hard to pick a spot when they're all in bad shape." We both jumped whenever someone cleared their throat above us. We looked up to find Jacopo standing in the hallway, the sun spilling in from outside, making him look like an angel. He stepped forward and knelt beside us, his dark eyes studying the blueprints carefully. "What are you two looking at?" he asked.Luca and I
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