Chapter 16: Chapter Sixteen.

The jet landed smoothly on the private airstrip in Italy. As Viktor descended the steps, the crisp Italian air greeted him, though it did little to cool the heat simmering within him.

His phone buzzed in his pocket, interrupting his thoughts. Groaning, he pulled it out and glanced at the screen. Mikhail. 

"What is it, dipshit?" Viktor barked as he put the phone to his ear. 

"Dude, what the hell are you doing in Italy?" Mikhail’s voice boomed through the line, his tone a mix of exasperation and curiosity. 

Ignoring the question, Viktor strode toward the sleek black car waiting for him on the tarmac. The driver promptly opened the door, and Viktor slipped inside, the plush leather interior doing little to ease his irritation. The car pulled away, leaving the jet behind. 

"Mikhail." Viktor said, his voice low and dangerous, "don’t make me split your throat when I get back." 

"Seriously." Mikhail persisted, undeterred. "What are you doing there? Last I checked, we had no business in Italy. And, might I remind you, the Bellini family hates your guts. You’re in their territory, man!" 

Viktor smirked, leaning back in his seat. "Their territory?" he repeated, his tone laced with amusement. "You know how much I enjoy stepping on so-called territories." 

"You’re a goddamn lunatic." Mikhail sighed heavily, clearly frustrated. "At least tell me why you’re there. What’s so important that you’d risk stirring up a mafia war?" 

Viktor’s smirk deepened, but he didn’t offer an answer. "You’ll see soon enough." he said cryptically. 

"Viktor—" 

Before Mikhail could finish, Viktor ended the call, tossing his phone onto the seat beside him. The hum of the engine filled the silence as the car sped through the winding roads of Tuscany. 

Leaning his head back against the headrest, Viktor closed his eyes, though his mind refused to quiet. He clenched his jaw, frustration bubbling beneath the surface. 

"What the fuck is wrong with me?" he muttered under his breath. The realization of why he was here gnawed at him, and he hated it. "I can’t believe I traveled across countries for a woman." 

He ran a hand through his dark hair, his fingers brushing against his temples as he tried to shake off the thoughts of her. Xena. 

Her image flooded his mind—the way her piercing blue eyes had locked onto his during the incident.

Innocent yet fiery, those eyes had seen right through him, sparking something deep within that he couldn’t extinguish. 

"My little fire." he mumbled to himself, the nickname slipping out unbidden. 

The car hit a slight bump, jolting him back to reality. He sighed, rubbing his temples again, his irritation mounting.

How could one woman, someone he had only encountered twice, have this effect on him? She was an enigma—untouchable, and yet he felt drawn to her, compelled to possess her, to unravel the mystery of her defiance. 

"She’s just a woman." he growled, trying to convince himself, though the conviction in his voice was lacking. 

The driver glanced at him briefly through the rearview mirror, sensing the tension radiating off his boss but knowing better than to say anything.

Viktor’s eyes flickered to the window, watching the vineyards and rolling hills blur past. 

He hated feeling this way—out of control, consumed by something he couldn’t fully understand.

And yet, beneath the frustration, there was something else. Anticipation. 

Because Viktor Sokolov always got what he wanted. And right now, all he wanted was the Brunette with Ocean blue eyes.

◇◇◇

The restaurant, like most evenings, was bustling with life. The hum of lively conversations and the clinking of utensils against plates filled the air.

The aroma of freshly cooked Italian delicacies wafted through the cozy space, mingling with the faint scent of espresso. 

This restaurant wasn’t just any eatery; it was a beloved gem in the heart of Italy, owned by none other than Sophia Rossi—affectionately known as Nana to everyone in the community.

Her culinary magic had made her a local legend, and her dishes were said to warm not just the stomach but the soul. 

Xena navigated the crowded floor with practiced ease, balancing trays on both arms as she delivered plates to eager customers.

Her warm smile and quick, polite exchanges in Italian added to the welcoming atmosphere. 

"Enjoy your meal" she said as she placed plates on a table, her voice cheerful yet tinged with fatigue from the long day. 

However, as she turned to head back to the counter, her eyes drifted again toward the man seated at a corner table.

He’d been there for what felt like hours, and all he’d ordered was coffee—cup after cup. His dark, intense gaze seemed fixated on her, following her every move. 

Xena shivered slightly. His presence unnerved her. There was something off about him—his demeanor, his silence, the way he seemed to be studying her. 

"What a weird man." she mumbled to herself as she returned to the counter. Setting down the empty trays, she sighed and decided to step into the kitchen. She needed a moment away from that piercing stare. 

Pushing open the swinging door, Xena found her Nana busily stirring a pot of rich, aromatic sauce.

Nana looked up, immediately noticing the troubled expression on her granddaughter’s face. 

"What’s wrong, flower?" Nana asked, her tone gentle yet concerned. 

Xena hesitated before speaking, her voice low. "Nana, there’s this man out there. He’s been sitting in the corner for hours, just drinking coffee. But... he keeps staring at me. It’s really creepy." 

Nana’s hands stilled, and a frown etched onto her face. "A man? Does he look familiar?" 

Xena shook her head, her brow furrowed. "No. He looks... strange. Like he’s staring into my soul. I don’t feel comfortable around him." 

Nana wiped her hands on a towel and nodded decisively. "Come, show me this man." 

She called over one of the chefs to keep an eye on the stove and followed Xena back to the dining area.

The restaurant was still lively, the chatter and laughter continuing uninterrupted. Xena scanned the room quickly, but her heart sank. 

The man was gone. 

"Where is he, flower?" Nana asked, her voice calm but curious. 

Xena pointed to the now-empty chair in the corner. "He was sitting right there." she said, her voice laced with confusion. "Where did he go?" 

Not wanting to leave it unresolved, Xena hurried to the front door, pushing it open and stepping outside.

She glanced up and down the cobblestone street, but there was no sign of him. No figure walking away, no car pulling out. He’d vanished. 

She returned inside, her brows knit together in frustration. "Honestly, Nana, he was here." she insisted. 

Just then, a voice spoke up from behind them. "Are you talking about that creepy guy who was staring at everyone—especially you?" 

Both Xena and Nana turned to see Javier, one of the restaurant’s waitstaff, approaching them with a tray in hand. 

"You saw him too?" Nana asked, her voice sharper now. 

Javier nodded, shifting the tray to balance it on one hand. "Yeah, he gave me the chills. Didn’t order much, just coffee. And he left right after Xena went into the kitchen." 

Nana and Xena exchanged a look, a mix of unease and suspicion passing between them. Javier shrugged and returned to serving customers, leaving the two women to process his words. 

"That must’ve been one strange man." Nana murmured, more to herself than anyone else. 

Xena nodded slowly, her gaze drifting toward the glass door. She couldn’t shake the feeling that something wasn’t right.

Her instincts told her this wasn’t just a random encounter, and the way he’d vanished so suddenly only added to her apprehension. 

"Let me know if he shows up again." Nana said, placing a reassuring hand on Xena’s arm. Her smile was warm, but there was a flicker of concern in her eyes. 

Xena forced a small smile and nodded. "I will." 

As Nana returned to the kitchen, Xena remained by the counter, her eyes fixated on the street outside. The lively atmosphere of the restaurant faded into the background as unease crept through her. 

Something felt off. She couldn’t put her finger on it, but deep down, she knew this wouldn’t be the last she saw of the strange man.

◇◇◇

A black sedan was parked discreetly under the cover of shadows, its tinted windows shielding the occupants from prying eyes. Inside, the air was tense.

A man, dressed in a crisp black suit, sat in the driver’s seat with his phone pressed to his ear. His eyes stayed fixed on the restaurant across the street, his posture rigid.

“We found her, Boss.” the man said, his voice trembling slightly as he addressed the figure on the other end of the line. 

A pause followed, the silence filled with an air of danger. Then came a voice—deep, cold, and laced with menace. “Are you sure it’s her?” 

The man swallowed hard, his nerves evident. “Y-yes, Boss. I’m certain.” he stammered, attempting to steady his voice. 

A dark chuckle resonated through the phone, sending chills down the man’s spine. “The Rossis hid her well... but not well enough,” the mysterious voice said, the amusement in his tone only adding to its sinister edge. 

“Follow her. I want every detail—where she goes, who she talks to, what she does. Do not lose her.” the voice commanded, each word carrying an unspoken threat. 

“Yes, Boss.” the man replied quickly. The call ended with a sharp click, leaving the driver to exhale shakily. 

He glanced back at the restaurant, his gaze narrowing as he muttered to himself, “This won’t end well.”