Chapter 89
When the last immediate line disappeared, Vee finally exhaled.
She walked behind the counter, kicked her shoes off with a groan, and dropped into a chair. Her toes flexed against the cool tile floor.
Tina leaned against the counter beside her, handing her a bottle of water.
“Thank you,” Vee muttered, taking a long drink.
Her eyes scanned the shop. Full register. Stacks of receipts.
What did you do?
She picked up her phone, thumb hovering over his name.
Part of her wanted to be furious. To accuse him of interfering. Of controlling. Another part of her felt something softer. He believed in her enough to move mountains. Or at least customer traffic.
She hit call, leaned back in the chair.
“Alright, devil,” she murmured under her breath, a tired smile ghosting across her lips. “Tell me what you did p>
“Bambola his voice drifted from the phone as soon as he picked up.
He said it the way he always did, the end of the word curling. She could almost see him, leaning back in his chair, one ankle resting on his knee, eyes half lidded.
“I guess you are my knight in shining armour, uhn.” She smiled.
“Always p>
“Tell me how you managed this. I have sold more pizzas in one day than I have in a year.” She turned slightly, watching one of her staff slide another pie into a box.
“I had nothing to do with it. Maybe people just realise just how much work you put into the recipe,” Luca said.
“I know you’re lying.” She could hear the faint clink of glass on his end.
“You can know what you know. And I can also know what I didn’t do p>
“That is the most evasive sentence you’ve ever spoken,” she replied, narrowing her eyes. “You expect me to believe this was spontaneous? That half the city just woke up craving my pizza p>
“Your pizza is exceptional,” he said lightly.
“Thank you, Luca,” she said anyway. “Even if you won’t confess p>
“I have nothing to confess p>
“Mm. I can find ways to make you.” She let that hang. “How is work going?” she asked, shifting gears abruptly. “Have any cock suckers stroll in today p>
Luca laughed. “That’s a Tuesday afternoon thing. I should probably ask Dante to cancel my weekly delivery p>
She rolled her eyes. “You do that. Or the next time I walk in your office and I find your cock inside some whore, we will be having words p>
“Oh he said slowly. “Someone wants to be exclusive p>
“I thought that was what you wanted.” Vee said.
They were still circling the same conversation, the same invisible fire neither of them wanted to step into first.
“I never said so.” Luca replied.
“You basically threatened anyone who looks at me wrong p>
“Does that mean exclusive?” Luca asked.
“You’re an idiot p>
“You can do better than that, Bambola surely. Put some effort so you can earn your punishments p>
She rolled her eyes even though he could not see it. “Will you be home early tonight?” Vee asked.
“I can pick you up tonight and we leave together p>
“Okay then, I’ll wait for you. I’ll ask the driver to take Valentina home p>
“I’ll see you soon.” She ended the call.
Valentina dropped into the chair beside her. “Luca?” Tina asked.
“Yeah p>
“You seem happy p>
“I… you know what… I am happy. You’re home. You’re safe.” Vee said.
That was true. Valentina was back. Alive. Whole.
“Yes, I am. But you are not p>
Vee frowned. “What do you mean p>
“The only reason you got trapped with him in the first place is because of me.” Valentina said.
“What? No. No! Don’t blame yourself for anything. Dad did this. Put the blame where it needs to be, don’t take any of it. Besides I chose to walk into that auction p>
Valentina’s voice softened. “He hurts you p>
“Luca?” Vee let out a short, incredulous laugh. “Luca doesn’t hurt me p>
“He controls you p>
Vee looked at her sister fully then. “I let him p>
Valentina studied her. “And if you wanted to leave p>
Vee hesitated. She had no answer.
“You are living with an evil man who has you chained to him.” Valentina finished.
“Tina, I am happy. Yes, the circumstances may not be the usual one but I am. And I know it will get better.” Vee explained.
She spoke carefully. Happiness for her was not flowers and white picket fences. It was waking up beside a man who could ruin entire districts with a phone call and knowing he would not ruin her. It was choosing to kneel when she wanted to, not because she had to.
“Come on, you go home. I’ll see you tomorrow. We will spend the day together p>
Valentina searched her face as if looking for cracks. For a plea. For a signal that said save me. Vee held her gaze steady.
Valentina sighed and got to her feet.
She was tall, willowy. Too young to carry the weight she did.
“Pick up dinner,” Vee reminded her.
Valentina nodded and headed out of the shop, pushing through the glass door.
The bell above the door chimed shut.
Veronica’s mind reeled. What if she wanted to leave Luca? Would he let her? Did she even want to leave? Her pulse betrayed her at the thought. The memory of his hand at her neck. The way his voice dropped when he wanted obedience. The way he listened when she pushed back. Happiness did not always look holy.
The shop doors opened once more.
The bell chimed again.
Rosa leaned in from the prep counter. “Inferi p>
Vee turned slowly.
He stood just inside the doorway. A jagged scar carved through his eyebrow, disappearing into his hairline. Tattoos crept up his neck, disappearing beneath his collar.
Inferi ran this block. Protection fees. Drug routes. Street enforcement.
Vee straightened her spine, smoothing her hands down her apron as she approached the counter. Her face shifted effortlessly into professional neutrality.
“What can I get for you?” Vee asked.
“Don’t be like that with me. We basically grew up together, Scalese.” Inferi said.
(This is to 100 golden tickets. We did it guys. Shawnnie, Jess Yurko, Mrs B? Whaaat? Y’all are spoiling me. Thank you. on to 200 golden tickets. We have enough time to do it. I’m sure we can do it p>