Ties of Blood (Book One)

Chapter 27 ~ Gianna

Gianna Rostova

Once we landed, the seatbelt sign pinged off waking me up, and I turned to Matteo, who was already looking at me with that familiar soft smile.

"Thank you for bringing me here," I replied, unable to hide the smile spreading across my face. "I still can't believe we're actually here."

He reached out and brushed a loose strand of hair behind my ear, his touch warm and tender. "Believe it, amore." I lean my face into the side of his hand and kissed him quickly before pulling away.

We gathered our things and made our way off the plane, stepping into the warm Italian sun. The air was different here, almost heavier with the scent of something earthy and rich, like history was woven into the very atmosphere.

I was struck by the sight of the Italian countryside. The rolling hills stretched out in every direction, dotted with clusters of cypress trees and ancient-looking villas. It was just as I'd imagined and more.

A sleek black car was waiting for us, and the driver greeted us with a polite nod as he opened the door. Matteo helped me inside before sliding in next to me, his hand finding mine as the car began to move.

"Where are we going?" I asked, my excitement bubbling over as I looked out the window at the passing landscape.

"My villa," he said simply, but his eyes twinkled with a secret he wasn't quite ready to share. "But I thought we could take the scenic route."

I wasn't surprised Matteo had a villa. The drive was nothing short of breathtaking. The sun dipped lower in the sky, casting a golden glow over the countryside. We passed through small villages, their cobblestone streets lined with colorful houses and flower boxes bursting with blooms. It felt like we had stepped into a postcard.

We didn't speak much during the drive, but it was a comfortable silence, filled with the sound of the car's engine and the occasional rustle of leaves in the wind. Matteo held my hand the entire time, his thumb tracing slow hypnotic circles on my skin.

Eventually, the car pulled into a narrow road lined with tall cypress trees, leading us to a secluded villa perched on a hilltop. My breath caught in my throat as I took in the sight. The villa was a masterpiece, with ivy climbing its stone walls and a terrace overlooking the rolling hills below.

"Matteo, this is... stunning," I whispered as the driver opened the door for us.

Matteo smiled, clearly pleased with my reaction. "I thought you'd like it. We'll be staying here tonight before heading to Venice tomorrow."

He led me inside, where the interior was just as beautiful as the outside. The villa was all warm wood and soft, golden light, with antique furniture that made me feel like we'd stepped back in time.

Our room was spacious, with tall windows that opened out onto a private balcony. The bed was large and inviting, draped in luxurious linens, but it was the view that stole my breath away. From the balcony, we could see the sun setting over the hills, bathing the entire landscape in a warm, golden glow.

"It's perfect," I said, turning to Matteo. "I can't believe you planned all this. Thank you so much."

He stepped closer, his hand slipping around my waist as he pulled me against him. I leaned into him, resting my head against his chest, hugging him.

It wasn't perfect because of the things he got us, I mean, coming in a jet was amazing and the car drive had been even better, but it was perfect because Matteo was here. It didn't have to be Italy, it didn't have to be anywhere fancy, as long as Matteo was here, I had everything.