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Chapter 21 : Hushed Confessions
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Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 22 : Discoveries, Dates, and Disasters
*Sophia’s POV*I watched as one of the workers placed the last of the bricks for the new fireplace into a wheelbarrow. "No, that has to be done today," I called out. "If it's not done, we'll get behind schedule." He nodded and replaced the masonry tools onto his tool belt, which hung from his hips. His hard hat bobbed up and down as he walked back into the villa.Luca exited the front door of the villa and approached me, "There's something weird going on with the fireplace. Inside, there's a strange rope. It looks like it operates a mechanism or something."I scrunched my face, not understanding, "What are you talking about?"Luca gestured for me to follow him inside the villa, and I complied. Inside the fireplace, I saw the rope and a small hole in the wall behind it."Don't open it," I warned, knowing there was most likely something nefarious behind the wall, "Go out and tell the men to take a break. I'm going to call Jacopo."As Luca left the room, I approached the stone wall,
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 23 : The Ghost of my Past
*Jacopo’s POV*"Hold on tight," I yelled as I swerved at the last second and drove into the grass to avoid hitting the car.Sophia yelped and grabbed the handle above the passenger's side door. I yanked the wheel and the car spun in a tight circle, tires squealing on the asphalt. The engine roared as I floored the accelerator, leaving behind clouds of smoke and debris. In the rearview mirror, I saw the other vehicle do an abrupt U-turn and charge after us, its headlights blazing like angry eyes."What is going on, Jacopo?" Sophia cried.I tried to remain calm to not panic her further, and said, "Clearly, someone wants us dead. We're going to get out of here. Just hold on tight."I glanced at Sophia and knew that there wasn’t enough time to make it back to the main house. It was a quarter-mile away, on the opposite side of the property, and our pursuers were already too close for comfort. "We're going to have to ditch the car and climb over the fence to hide in the villa," I said
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 24 : Make Her Bleed
*Jacopo’s POV*The floor was harsh and unforgiving against my lower back, and the sun was shining through the uncovered windows, temporarily blinding me. My left arm was asleep, and I peeled open my eyes to see Sophia sleeping soundly on top of it. Before I could wake her up gently, the front door banged open, and a voice cried, "Oh, what the hell?"Sophia jolted upright in bed, eyes squinting against the blinding sunlight that forced its way through the open doorway. A faint silhouette of a figure emerged from outside into the villa, and as their features began to take shape, Sophia breathed a sigh of relief."Luca, you scared the shit out of me," she exclaimed.Luca threw his hands in the air, "Well, how the hell was I supposed to know you guys were asleep in the hundreds-year-old building we're renovating, Sophia?!"He stormed into the room and noted how rough the two of us looked. My loafers were grass and mud-stained, the pant leg of my slacks was torn up from the fence, an
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 25 : He Wasn’t Always This Way
*Sophia’s POV*I stood beneath the hot pelting water of the shower, the droplets washing away the tension in my back from sleeping on the floor in the villa. I stepped out, toweled off, and made my way to the closet. I bent over and tried to pull the elasticized waist up my thighs when three sharp knocks echoed through my apartment. I froze, one leg in and one leg out of the leggings, wondering who the hell would be looking for me. All the danger over the last few days made me paranoid."Just a minute," I called out. I reached into my closet and grabbed a navy hoodie with frayed cuffs that hung past my fingers. I caught a glimpse of myself in the mirror; I looked like a street urchin, but I didn't care. I walked across the room to the door, shook my head, and opened it."Hi, Giorgio," I greeted the intimidating man, "What's up?""Jacopo told me to tell you he's gone out for the day. I'm supposed to escort you to wherever you need to go," he replied, his voice deep and grave.H
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 26 : Which Path Do I Take?
*Jacopo’s POV*The lush green of the countryside rushed by me in a blur as I drove, my mind focused on the bright red lettering sprayed across the side of my car. Despite desperately wanting to escape the life that had taken my mother from me, there I was, unintentionally involving Sophia and putting her life at risk.My hands shook as I drove away from the house, leaving behind my father's disappointed words. I needed an unbiased opinion, someone whose intentions weren't clouded by family ties. So I kept driving in search of a different perspective.Finally, after what felt like hours, the Italian farmhouse came into view. It was breathtakingly beautiful, nestled between two rolling hills and surrounded by olive trees that cast gentle shadows onto the old yellow stucco walls. The sky above slowly shifted from light blue to a deep pink hue as the sun sunk toward the horizon. A thin wisp of smoke curled from a brick chimney on top of the house, indicating someone was inside. I pull
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 27 : A Brush With The Enemy
*Sophia’s POV*We stood in the middle of the almost completed villa, surrounded by the crisp scent of newly laid concrete and plaster. Luca and I were examining a brochure full of different flooring options, debating between marble tiles or terracotta pavers. The contractor had been kind enough to provide us with a detailed price list, so we could compare prices between our top choices."I'm really leaning toward terracotta pavers," Luca said.I nodded, "Yeah, they seem to be more authentic. We can do the same tile through the main part of the house, and an easier to clean tile in the kitchen.""Sophia, I'm going stir crazy. We need to get the Hell off this property and go antique shopping. It's been so long since we had a day walking around buying old stuff. Please, can we sneak away?" Luca begged.My eyes darted to Giorgio on the other side of the room; he stood with his arms crossed and sunglasses covering his eyes even though it was cloudy and gloomy out. He gave me a disappro
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 28 : A Rossi Family Affair
*Sophia’s POV*I studied my reflection in the mirror, taking in the pallor of my skin and the tightness around my eyes. I could feel my heart beat faster and fought to control my breathing as I heard dinner being announced from downstairs. Taking a steadying breath, I made my way out of the bedroom, down the stairs, and into the dining room where the Rossi family was waiting.The grand dining room was a sight to behold. The mahogany table had been polished to a mirror-like sheen, and the walls were adorned with antiques and oil paintings. A crystal chandelier glittered above them, casting its warm glow upon the scene. The aroma of Italian cuisine wafted through the air, making my mouth water despite my apprehension.I awkwardly perched on the edge of the chair, trying to make myself small. Jacopo put his hand on my thigh, giving a light squeeze and an almost imperceptible wink. I watched as Mr. Rossi, tall and imposing, opened the door and walked in, followed by Elena. A few others
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 29 : Passion on Isola d’Elba
*Jacopo’s POV*The next morning, I found Sophia in the back corner of the garden, seated on a white wrought-iron bench beneath an old tree. A thick novel was perched between her hands, and her dark curls spilled freely around her shoulders like a wild mane."Good morning," I greeted her with a nod."Good morning, Jacopo. Are you going somewhere?" she asked as she nodded to the bag in my left hand.I took her hand and led her toward the front of the manor, "We. We are going somewhere. Go upstairs and pack a bag. Pack an outfit to explore outside, a bathing suit, and something to wear for dinner."Sophia's eyes widened with excitement, and she leaned into me, "Where are we going?""It's a surprise," I winked at her and gave her a playful nudge.Sophia laughed and gently squeezed my hand, her skin soft and warm against mine. Twenty minutes later, we walked back to the car, both of us feeling a little bit lighter from the excitement. I loaded our backpacks into the trunk while she p
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Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 50 : The Luckiest Woman on the Planet
*Sophia’s POV*The sun dipped below the horizon as we left the greco-roman dig site, casting a warm glow on the ancient ruins. Giorgio walked beside me, his eyes constantly scanning our surroundings as he took in the sights Greece had to offer. He seemed to enjoy being away from the constant mafia danger, and I couldn't blame him."Giorgio, thank you for being here with me," I said."Of course, Sophia," he replied with a smile. "You know I'd do anything to keep you safe."As night fell, we made our way to a bustling market full of antiques and vendors. The vibrant colors, fragrant spices, and cheerful chatter of the locals were intoxicating, and I found myself drawn toward a stall displaying beautiful handmade tiles."Look at these," I breathed, running my fingers over the intricate patterns. "They're stunning!""Indeed, they are," a deep voice agreed from behind me. I turned to see a man with dark, wavy hair and piercing eyes. My heart skipped a beat.I took in the intricate de
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 49 : Accomplishments and Plans
*Sophia’s POV*I opened the door to our new workspace, the smell of fresh paint and new beginnings filling my nose. Luca grinned at me as he hauled in another box of supplies.We had ended up moving to my home town in London after our return to the States, making sure we finished any pending business over there first before adventuring ourselves to a new business here."Can you believe this is all ours, Soph?" He asked, gesturing around at the empty space. I laughed, I could hardly believe it myself. "It's crazy. But with the money from the villa job, we can finally start that restoration business we always talked about."We spent the next hour unpacking boxes and brainstorming names for our new company. Luca wanted something flashy and clever, while I argued for something simple and elegant. We volleyed ideas back and forth, joking and teasing each other. In the end we settled on "Sophia & Luca Art Restoration." It felt right to put our names on it. It was our dream, and now i
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 48 : The Last Night
*Sophia’s POV*The curling iron sizzled as I wrapped another section of my hair around the hot barrel. I winced as a wisp of hair singed, filling the air with an acrid smell. The red dress I was wearing was a gift from Jacopo. Something to wear after I left here as a reminder of how his hands had once caressed my body.I stared at my reflection in the gilt-edged mirror as I applied a deep red lipstick. The color reminded me of the wine we shared on our first date out to dinner. A knot formed in my stomach as I pictured Jacopo's tonight. We had to discuss the fact that my visa was expiring. His warm brown eyes would cloud with hurt, and the thought of leaving him and Italy behind felt like a dagger twisting in my heart.I longed to stay wrapped in Jacopo's powerful embrace, to wander the cobbled streets hand-in-hand, to wake up every morning next to him. But the visa's expiration loomed, an implacable cliff's edge, drawing nearer each day. I took a deep breath, steadying myself bef
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 47 : Bad Omens
*Sophia’s POV*The hospital had the familiar scent of antiseptic and the low hum of hushed conversations. I sat on an examination bed, my fingers idly tracing the white paper that covered the surface. A nurse bustled about, preparing the instruments while I waited for the doctor to arrive.The nurse stood by, readying her instruments while checking off a checklist for me. Footsteps echoed from the hallway, signaling the doctor's arrival.The door creaked open, and a middle-aged doctor with steel-rimmed spectacles and a friendly smile entered the room. She glanced over before striding to my bedside. "Good morning, Sophia. How's the leg feeling?" I winced and gestured to the red jagged wound that marred my thigh. "It's been better, Doc. Looking forward to getting these stitches out." She hummed softly in agreement as she ran her gloved fingertips over the tender skin. "I can imagine. It's healing nicely. Let's get these stitches out, and I'll give you some ointment to prevent
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 46 : Moments Like This
*Sophia’s POV*The early morning sun painted the sky with hues of gold and crimson as I stood at the entrance of the Rossi villa.The restoration had been a labor of love, literally and figuratively. I was in love with the centuries old architecture, and I found love with Jacopo. The front room was abuzz with activity. Workers moved with precision, placing carefully selected antique furniture to honor the villa's original design. Each piece had been chosen with reverence, and each item bore the weight of history, mirroring the memories of the people who originally built the property on this land many, many years ago. I did my best to stay true to what they'd used back then, with the thatch style roof and the wooden beams. I knew if Jacopo's mom were here, she'd appreciate the integrity of the project.Jacopo had been immersed in his duties as the head of the Rossi family, and his days were a whirlwind of meetings and responsibilities. But amidst the chaos of leadership, I wanted to
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 45 : You're the Boss Tonight
*Sophia’s POV*"Your wish is my command," Jacopo's hungry voice whispered before he brought his sinful mouth down to my stomach and kissed just below my navel.I shivered under his touch and moaned softly. "Again," I said.He wet his lips and kissed me again, an inch below the spot he'd kissed before.“There?" he breathed. "Yes," my voice rasped, sounding deeper and wanting. "Again."He sank his teeth into my skin and ran his tongue in a gentle circle around the indentation in my stomach. Then he growled."Do you have any idea what you do to me? I want to rip you apart and make love to you until you're whole again. You turn me into a savage." His voice was muffled as he pressed his face into the satin material of my panties.He ran his hands up my body, and they slid under the crop top. He hissed when his palms met my bare skin, and he instinctively began to tweak and pinch my nipples."Where is your bra, Ms. Anderson?" he asked.I shrugged. "I must have forgotten to put o
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 44 : This is Heaven
*Jacopo’s POV* The days following passed quickly, as I scrambled to manage the Rossi family affairs. There was an endless list of things for me to oversee; with the death of the Marino heads, their absence left an echoing void in the Italian underworld and I had to work constantly to maintain the fragile peace that existed between our two families. While my father recovered, everything fell squarely on my shoulders.I checked the schedule on my phone and readied myself for yet another marathon day. I walked into the warehouse where we usually conducted business meetings, and I shook hands with my men as they filed in. We discussed how best to strengthen our ties with an ally. "Everyone under Mariano's reign is nervous about how they're going to feed their families. They lost two Dons on the same day, and now they're scrambling. We need to either offer a peaceful solution for them or begin to absorb some of their men," I spoke smoothly.My men nodded in agreement, all eyes on me a
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 43 : An Impromptu Ceremony
*Jacopo’s POV*My fingers drummed nervously against the cold, hard armrest of the chair. The fluorescent lights buzzed overhead as we sat in silence, waiting for any news about my father's condition. Sophia leaned into me and squeezed my hand with such a reassuring firmness that I wanted to weep. The walls were a blinding white, as bright as the sun itself, and it felt like their sterile surface was closing in on us. Even though the air conditioning blasted out freezing air, sweat dripped down my forehead and neck. Hours had passed since my father went into surgery. The nurses did not indicate when he would be out of recovery. We could only hope and pray. Sophia broke the silence with her voice, gentle yet strong, providing comfort when I couldn't speak. At that moment, I knew she was my rock, someone who wouldn't let me crumble under the crushing pressure.The doctor emerged from the double doors wearing a surgical gown, his face serious. I shot up out of the chair and stumbled to
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 42 : Flatlined
*Sophia’s POV*The electricity in the room felt like a tangible force, crackling between Vincent and Mr. Rossi as they stood opposite each other. Vincent's eyes were fierce and his grip on my hair was cruel, the barrel of the gun cold against my temple. His muscles tensed with rage – a rage that had been simmering for decades. I could feel their animosity engulfing me like a fog, leaving me feeling helpless and small.Vincent's voice shook with barely restrained rage as he confronted Mr. Rossi. His eyes were dark pools of emotion and his body trembled with anger. "You've always thought you were better than us, haven't you, Alessandro? Your family, your empire. It's all built on the suffering and destruction you've left in your wake." Mr. Rossi held his ground, his face a mask of stone. He didn’t blink or flinch away from Vincent’s piercing gaze. “I’ve made my share of mistakes, Vincent," he said calmly. "But this blood feud isn't all the Rossis’ doing."The room felt like a powder
