*Jacopo’s POV*Our shoes were caked with mud, and our clothes were ripped and filthy. We combed over every inch of the property from the dilapidated barn to the dense woods behind it. We even searched the nearby creek that ran along the property's edge. Each step we took was a stab of fear as we scanned for any sign of Sophia. But despite our exhaustive efforts, we found nothing concrete to show where she was. The sun had long since set, and now only the moon cast its sickly light on us while we trudged back toward the manor in exhaustion and defeat."Luca, Giorgio, go back and let my father know there's no news to report. I'm not quite ready to throw in the towel yet," I called ahead of me.They gave me one final nod of understanding before strolling off in the opposite direction. I stood still for a few moments as I watched them disappear around a bend. Then I turned and made my way down the dusty trail that led to the unfinished villa. My gut led me there, urging me on and tellin

*Jacopo’s POV*As I cautiously slid out from beneath the covers, Sophia's slender hands reached out in search of me. Even in slumber, her body yearned for mine, and her creamy skin shimmered in the golden morning light. It was difficult to leave her there alone.But my father had called a meeting, and I needed to be there. Things were escalating, and now that I had reclaimed my position of power, I'd have to participate in these meetings to show strength and unity.Unlike the dinner we'd had a few nights ago, this meeting was formal. It was being held in one of the buildings the Rossi family owned, and there would be more than just immediate family. The loyal men who'd worked for us for decades would have questions now that war was imminent and I was back in the fold, and this was my father's way of soothing questions and concerns.The tailored black suit hung in the corner of my closet like a dark shadow, and its call was irresistible. I slipped it on, feeling the familiar heft of

*Sophia’s POV*Luca and three of our bodyguards were shuffling along behind me after I'd just spent a ton of Alessandro Rossi's money on antiques in a nearby town. We were finishing up buying knickknacks and smaller items for the villa, and he'd given me a heavy metal credit. His words rang through my head, "Here, take this. Buy what you think works, don't spare expenses. Make the men load the trailer for you." It was insane that he trusted me as much as he did. I had been working for the family for a while now, but Alessandro acted as if I was a lifelong family member who couldn't possibly rob him blind. Surprising for a mafia Don."Are you almost done?" Luca called from behind me, "My legs and arms are sore from all the shit you've made us cart around today."I giggled at his over-exaggeration. "Luca, dear. You've barely done any of the heavy lifting. That's why we brought along Giorgio, Ernesto, and Clarence."Giorgio cleared his throat, "Actually, Sophia. We're here to prot

*Jacopo’s POV*I glanced at my watch – it was six forty-five. The sky had shifted in many shades of dark blue and black behind the warehouse. Lucia stood beside me with her hands bound in zip ties and her mouth covered in duct tape. Her mouth twitched in an arrogant smirk, and I clenched my fists against a rising rage.Twenty men surrounded us - ten of them fanned out behind me while the other half remained hidden with rifles trained on the entrance. We had been waiting all day for Francesco's arrival, and my patience was wearing thin.The warehouse was located in an industrial complex on the outskirts of town and far from the Rossi's and Mariano's respective territories. I hoped the neutral ground would be enough to convince Francesco to come out of hiding and meet us there.Finally, a pair of headlights marked his arrival one minute before seven. He stepped out of the car wearing a grey suit and dark sunglasses. My heart raced as he slowly made his way towards us, flanked by two

*Sophia’s POV*The bodyguards stayed toward the front of the vineyard, and Vincent pushed me forward with a gun pressed painfully into my back. The gnarled vines parted around us, and we stepped into a clearing. Vincent pointed to an all-too-familiar shape in the earth: a small rectangular pit the length and depth of a grave. All around it were loose dirt and rocks, and a dirty shovel leaned against one of the sides. I gasped when I saw a metal box lying in the grave. It was the box Alessandro put into the safe in his office, the box that contained Michelangelo's sketches. When I stopped walking, the cold metal barrel of the gun pressed sharply against my spine, urging me forward.I shook my head vehemently and begged, "No, no, no...please, I haven't done anything to you. Please." Vincent's icy eyes glimmered in the moonlight as he threw his head back and laughed heartlessly. His laughter reverberated through the night air. I was going to die."You recognize the box, yes? Are yo