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Chapter 17 : Hidden Heirlooms
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Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 18 : Change Of Plans
*Sophia’s POV*"Come on, Soph. We're going to be late. You were already late yesterday after your soiree with the boss man. Can't afford to do it again," Luca admonished me.After Mr. Rossi took the sketches yesterday, I had researched late into the night to see if I could find a record of them anywhere. Michelangelo's work was reasonably well documented for as long ago as he was alive, and I found mention of them in some articles from over fifty years ago. They were found in Italy when a building was set for demolition. On a whim, the man who bought the property had gone in and searched the rooms first. There was a box that was under a floorboard, and the sketches were hidden inside. After that, there's no mention of where they sold to or who had them. So how did they end up in the painting Mr. Rossi bought for his late wife?Because of the late night, Luca and I were running late getting to the villa. And in true Luca style, he was giving me shit. "Look, we're the bosses. And
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 19 : Be Careful Who You Get Into Bed With
*Sophia’s POV*"That's the last of it," I commented, "Thanks for your help." Jacopo's nostrils flared as he exhaled a deep, agitated breath. He avoided eye contact and his posture stiffened, arms crossed tightly over his chest. The air in the room shifted with tension, thick and suffocating. His mood had been foul ever since he'd told his father he'd be staying in the main house. "Jacopo, you know you don't have to stay here. Luca and I will be fine alone. I don't want you to be miserable when your father is more than capable of babysitting us."Somehow, his face became even angrier, "It's not my fucking father's job to protect you, bella. It's mine. I'll make sure nothing happens to you, do you understand?"He stepped closer, his chest rising and falling in heavy breaths. His eyes were like dark, churning oceans, emanating a mix of anger and rage that made my heart race. I dug my nails into my palms, reminding myself that the intent behind them was not directed at me.Just as
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 20 : A House Full Of Ghosts
*Jacopo’s POV*"Elena, we need to go speak with our father. He's asked for both of us. Sophia, make yourself comfortable and acquaint Luca with the layout of the house when he gets back from his ride to town," I said.I could tell she wanted to talk to me alone, but she nodded her understanding and that made me feel happy.Elena stood and hooked her arm in mine, and we began walking to Alessandro Rossi's home office. A dark, unsettling feeling had lodged in my stomach from the moment I told my father I'd be staying in the mansion as long as Sophia was. I hadn't slept in the building in a long time, and I knew I wouldn't be able to relax."So all we had to do to get you to come back was hire a sexy art lady?" Elena asked."I'm not back permanently. I told you. I just want to keep an eye on Sophia. As soon as her work is done, I'm gone again," I replied."We miss you around here. I know Dad doesn't say it, but a piece of him left the day you turned away from the famiglia," she whis
Vendetta and Vino: Tuscan Temptations Chapter 21 : Hushed Confessions
*Sophia’s POV*The house was abuzz with energy. Mr. Rossi's men hurried up and down the hallway, casting concerned glances over their shoulders as they passed. The sound of raised voices echoed off the walls, and I saw a few shadows flit past the kitchen entrance. Deciding it was best not to get in the way, I quickly bypassed the dining room and made my way back upstairs.I settled myself on the guest bed, crossed my legs, and opened my laptop. I scrolled through pages of articles about Michelangelo's sketches until my eyes stung and my back ached from hunching over the computer.Luca had been busy with keeping the villa project going, and I heard he'd assisted with checking the servant's building for listening devices. I don't know if he realized the Rossi's were mafia yet, but I was looking forward to talking to him tonight.A quiet knock on the door jostled me from an article I was reading, and I called out, "Come in," fully expecting it to be Luca.But it wasn't Luca. Instead,
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
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