She stared at him in disbelief. "You threaten people for a living and somehow this is the hill you're dying on? Eggs and bread?"
"This house runs on respect. You may hate me, Veronica, but you will not disrespect her."
"Sit," he repeated.
"I'm not a child you can just ground," Vee shot back.
"Then don't act like one," Luca replied.
"If I don't obey?" She tilted her chin, daring him, that stubborn spark flaring even through fear.
"You will not move from that seat."
"And if I do?" she pushed. "It's not like you can watch me all day."
His gaze darkened with warning. "Then you give me reason to exert myself further tonight." He leaned in just enough for his words to settle against her ear. "Every time you disobey me. Every time you're insolent. Every time you provoke me. I will make you pay."
Her breath hitched, but she refused to step back. "You did say you weren't going to force me into doing anything. Or did you forget?"
