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Chapter 49 : Accomplishments and Plans
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2024-10-29 19:42:56Related chapters
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 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations 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
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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
