She had finally accepted that the only way out was death. Once Veronica had stepped into his world, there had been no clean exit for either of them. No ordinary future waiting behind some white picket fence where the most dangerous thing in their lives was burnt toast and lawn care.

He was a different man now. Not good. Never that. Luca was self-aware enough not to insult God with such a claim. He still knew exactly how to bury a problem so deep even memory would need a shovel.

But Vee had made him softer in ways he had not expected. A little less sociopathic. A lot less psychotic.

Marginally more tolerable, according to Marco. Veronica had walked into Luca’s life and lit it up instantly.

She had been fighting him with every breath, calling him out with an admirable courage. She challenged his darkness.

That had made him want to be worthy of her light. His darkness had enveloped her life. There was no denying that. Loving him had cost her. But if he could not undo what he had brought to her door, he would do the next best thing.

He would make plans that would leave her with light. A lot less darkness, if he could manage it. His phone rang, dragging him out of his thoughts. He glanced at the screen and answered the video call.

Marco’s face appeared with a bandaged head, swollen eye.

"Eishhh..." Luca said. "You look terrible."

Marco’s mouth twisted. "Right back at ya."

"I’m sure you’re calling to brief me."

Marco’s eyes, tired as they were, turned serious. "Yes, boss...I made the connection."

"Tell me," Luca ordered.

On the phone screen, Marco shifted against his pillows.

"Tony is working with Bianca."

Bianca.

Of course.

That venomous bitch hadn’t resigned after all.

"What’s the connection?" Luca asked.

Marco exhaled slowly. "His girlfriend. Remember one time I asked why Bianca visits a small café and we brushed it off under a pile of other things?"

Luca remembered. The café had seemed minor then. A habit.

"His girlfriend works at that café," Marco continued. "She is the courier. Getting messages from Bianca to Tony."

"Good job, Marco. Keep your head down for now. Do not call Valentina until all this is over."

Pain moved through Marco’s face, and for once, it had nothing to do with the injury.

"Luca—"

"You want to go back to your wife and son safe? Then you let me end this first. I assure you," Luca said, softer now, "you will be with your family soon. And don’t be a hero for now. Heal first. You hear me?"

Marco’s tired eyes narrowed slightly. "I knew you cared."

Luca looked at him through the screen. Normally, he would have sneered. Sentiment made him itchy. "You know what?...I’m too tired and afraid right now to pretend I do not. I love you, Marco. You are my brother and I love you."

Marco smiled. "I love you too...But little heads up," Marco continued, "Ma is going to have your balls when she sees you."

Luca closed his eyes. "Yeah, I know." He pinched the bridge of his nose. "Is she there already?"

"Yeah..."

Luca could already hear her blaming him because he chose this life. She seemed to forget he had pledged his life to Don for her. He exhaled slowly. "Do me a favour. Keep her away from Don."

Marco stared at him through the screen as if the head injury had suddenly transferred to Luca.

"Those two haven’t got a clue what they are doing," Luca said. "And someone is just going to get hurt."

"Hmmm..." Marco hummed, lips twitching. "Keep Ma away from Don Genovese."

"Yes."

"That’s like asking me to keep Veronica away from you."

"Well," Luca said, "do your best."

"I have a broken head, Luca," Marco said. "I don’t want any other body parts broken."

"One would think you’d have a hard head," Luca said.

"Hey..." Marco lifted one hand weakly, looking deeply offended through the screen. "I had my guard down. I hadn’t slept. I was running on coffee. My reflexes were slow."

"Excuses, excuses," Luca said. "You got knocked down by a weasel."

Marco laughed then winced immediately and clutched the side of his head. "Fuck. Yeah, wait until I get my hands on that weasel."

"Get in line. A lot is going on," Luca said. "I can’t tell you over the phone. But I have things under control. Keep your head down. No heroics. And don’t you dare track me."

"You take all the fun out of recovering. Fine, boss. Whatever you say. Bye."

"Bye." He clicked the phone off. Luca stared at the blank screen for a moment before opening his messages.

First, Valentina.

M is okay.

Then Vee.

Marco is safe, Bambola. See you soon

Luca exhaled and dropped the phone beside him. Veronica would arrive soon and in the next twenty-four hours, he was going to marry her. His gaze drifted to the bedside table.

A small case of blue pills sat there. He leaned back, rubbing a hand over his face. The doctor hadn’t recommended it yet but if he was going to give their wedding day a happy ending, he was definitely going to need it.

*****

Everything became a whirlwind after Vee touched down in Vegas. A kidnapping with luxury service.

One moment, she was at home, the next the famiglia men were bundling her into a plane to Vegas.

"Where is he?" she had asked.

"Ma’am, Mr Genovese has arranged everything."

That was not an answer. She was driven through Vegas as the city glowed around her. Vee stared out the tinted window, trying to make sense of it all.

The hotel suite was incredible. Gold accents. Floor-to-ceiling windows. Fresh flowers. Champagne waiting in a bucket. A bed big enough to host a small conference.

She stood in the middle of it. "What the hell are you doing, Luca?" she whispered.

(Brought to you by Mar King 1/2)