Up close, he looked different than he had in the office. Less dangerous. The jacket was lighter.
He lifted the bag slightly, weighing it in his hand. "You hid it badly," he said calmly.
Her pulse roared in her ears. "You followed me?"
"You were always going to run."
Anger flared through the fear. "You said there was nothing I could do. What other choice do I have. I have to keep her safe."
"And I have to make sure she stays put," he said.
A car passed at the far end of the street, headlights sweeping briefly over them, then moving on. The city did what it always did. It looked away.
"Marco, please… please don't do this," Vee said. "I'm begging you. She is just a child."
"It's not my problem, pizza girl."
Vee swallowed hard and shook her head, stepping closer despite every warning bell in her body screaming at her to stop.
"Marco, you do not have to be him," she said urgently. "You don't have to be like Luca. You are a good person. I can see that."
"Am I now?" Luca smirked.
