Chapter 16 - Shadows in TuscanyTwo weeks later, the warm Tuscan sun washed over the sprawling vineyards and historic stone villa that now served as our European operational headquarters. Rows of manicured cypress trees lined the gravel driveway, and the air smelled of blooming lavender and rich Italian earth.
I stood on the second-story stone balcony, wearing a light silk linen dress, watching the sunset paint the sky in brilliant shades of orange and crimson. My phone buzzed on the wrought-iron table beside me. It was Viktor, calling from Chicago.
"Boss," Viktor’s gravelly voice came through the speaker. "We picked up chatter from a splinter cell trying to reorganize what's left of Marcus Vance's crew in Cicero. They're making noise."
"Handle them," I said calmly, taking a sip of local Chianti. "If anyone tries to rebuild a rogue operation in our territory, make sure they understand that the Cicero delivery routes belong to us now."
"Consider it done," Viktor grunted before hanging up.
Footsteps echoed softly on the stone stairs behind me, and Dominic stepped out onto the balcony, holding two glasses of wine. He handed one to me, his dark eyes reflecting the warm Tuscan glow.
"You've traded the rain-soaked streets of Chicago for the hills of Italy," Dominic noted, leaning against the stone balustrade beside me. "Do you miss the hustle?"
"I don't miss the desperation," I corrected, turning my head to meet his gaze. "There's a big difference between surviving and ruling."
Dominic chuckled, a low, appreciative sound. "When I first met you, you were covered in birthday cake on my marble floor, looking ready to murder me with your bare hands."
"And you thought I was just a broke delivery girl you could push around," I reminded him with a confident smirk.
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"I was an idiot," Dominic admitted without a moment of hesitation. "I should have known the moment you didn't cry that you were going to take over my entire empire."
I clinked my glass against his, the crystal ringing out clearly across the quiet Italian countryside. "You just provided the platform, Dominic. I built the architecture."
