She stared at the desk, then back at him.
Vee rose from the chair slowly, her thoughts tangled and loud. She lifted both hands in a small, ceremonial gesture, palms up, asking permission without saying a word.
Luca watched her with narrowed eyes. "Use your words," he said.
"Who punishes you when you mess up?" she asked.
The question landed wrong. Just… wrong in the way truth often was. Luca straightened, brows drawing together.
"Excuse me?"
She stepped closer. "I don't know what this is," she said, gesturing vaguely between them. "I don't know how this works. But I'm guessing I'm not your slave, right?"
"So," she continued, "when you do something wrong, do I get to punish you?"
Luca smiled. She was truly a fiery queen. If things were different, he would crown her a Genovese immediately.
"If you ask me to behave, Bambola," he said, stepping closer, "I will. Gladly. Immediately. Without argument."
