The next day, Luca sat in his office with Marco. They were deep into discussion, dissecting their deal with Bastardi.
The door opened, and the new underground bodyguard stepped inside, posture stiff, eyes alert. "There's a woman at reception," he said carefully. "She's asking to see Marco. She has a box of pizza with her."
Marco frowned and straightened in his chair, confusion flickering across his features. "I didn't order pizza," he said, suspicion immediately replacing surprise. His gaze flicked to Luca, who had already gone still.
Without a word, Luca rose and walked toward the adjoining section of the office that housed the security room. Inside, the tech team sat surrounded by glowing screens, the hum of electronics filling the air. "Pull up reception for me," Luca ordered calmly.
A few quick clicks later, the center screen lit up. The image resolved into the reception area of the club, and there she was—the pizza girl. She stood at the desk, box balanced in her hands.
He turned away from the screen and walked back into his office. He stopped in front of the guard. "Bring her in here," he said.
"Boss?" Marco lifted a brow. He glanced between Luca and the door.
"As of this moment, I'm Marco. You are Luca. Okay. I've met her before. She delivered your pizza the other day."
Marco nodded slowly, catching on immediately. "Got it," he said, already turning toward the door. Whatever this was, it promised entertainment. He stepped out, leaving Luca alone.
Moments later, Veronica was escorted into the office. Luca turned around in his seat. Vee stood there with a pizza box in her hands, shoulders squared, chin lifted in stubborn resolve that only half-masked her nerves.
"Hi, Marco," she said, offering a polite smile.
"Do you have a thing for me, pizza girl?" Luca drawled, one corner of his lips lifting in a lazy, provocative smirk.
"What?" She blinked, momentarily thrown off balance. "Uhm… no." She stepped forward, the pizza box held out. "Here. I brought you pizza. It's on me. I won't charge it to your account with us."
"It was a tip," he reminded her smoothly, eyes dropping briefly to the box before returning to her face.
"I don't want it," she said firmly, lifting her chin. "Now more than ever." Her fingers tightened on the box before she set it down.
"What do you want, pizza girl?" he asked.
She placed the pizza carefully on the desk and cleared her throat, buying herself a moment. "I would like you to schedule a meeting between me and Luciano." She met his gaze head-on.
"Luciano, huh?" Luca repeated. "Why?"
"He is going to take my sister," Veronica said. The bravado she had carried in moments ago cracked, revealing raw panic beneath. Her fingers curled tightly at her sides. "I'm begging you. I just need five minutes with him."
Luca studied her for a long moment before answering. "Luciano wouldn't take your sister for no reason," he said calmly.
"Please," she rushed on, stepping closer. "He can have anything. Anything else. Not her." She swallowed hard, her chest rising sharply. "She is my baby sister. He can have me."
Luca pushed back his chair and rose to his full height. He crossed the space between them until he stood directly in front of her. "I thought you said you didn't want a favor from me," he said softly. "This is a favor."
"I can pay you," she said quickly.
"I don't want your money," he replied.
"Free pizza for a year," she blurted, the offer tumbling out with nervous enthusiasm that didn't quite match the gravity of the moment.
A corner of Luca's mouth twitched. "I can afford my own pizza." He stepped closer, towering now, his gaze locking onto hers with unnerving intensity. She had to tilt her head back to meet his eyes, and the proximity made her painfully aware of herself—her breath, her pulse, the way her body reacted despite fear. "What do you want?" she asked quietly.
"For a meeting with Luca," he said slowly, "how about I fuck you?"
Veronica stepped back instantly. "I…" Her words failed her, shock flashing across her face as she stared at him.
"What?" Luca followed her retreat with a step of his own, invading her space again. "You seem to have the hots for me." His gaze dipped briefly down her body, then returned to her eyes, unapologetic. "Don't tell me you haven't thought about it."
"No!" she shot back, shaking her head hard. "No. That's not—" She exhaled sharply, anger flaring through the shock. "Sex for a meeting? I saw you hand over thousands of dollars just so some whore could suck your cock." Her eyes burned as she looked at him, courage fueled by outrage. "And now you want to pretend this is a fair trade?"
"She was exquisite," he said lazily. His mouth curved with indulgent satisfaction. "Her mouth was skilled, attentive. And the way she worked my dick, Lord…" He sighed theatrically, eyes half-lidded, clearly enjoying himself far too much. It was crude, calculated, and meant to provoke.
"Enough!" Vee snapped. Her cheeks burned. "All I want is a meeting." She swallowed and looked at him directly, eyes shining, unguarded. "If you have any humanity in you, Marco. Please."
He stepped closer and bent down, bringing his mouth near her ear. "Begging suits you, pizza girl," he murmured. He straightened immediately. "Did you make the pizza yourself?"
Vee blinked, thrown completely off balance. Her brows knit together as she tried to follow the abrupt shift. "I… I oversee the process, yes," she said slowly. "But I mostly do the managerial work."
"So it's not poisoned?" he asked casually.
"What?" Her eyes widened. "Why would I—what?" She stared at him in disbelief, caught between offense and absurdity. "Do I look like someone who poisons people with pepperoni?"
"You get five minutes with Luca," he said. "Use it wisely."
"Oh—thank you," Vee breathed, relief crashing over her so suddenly her knees nearly gave out. "Thank you so much." Without thinking, without stopping herself, she stepped forward and wrapped her arms around him. The hug was tight, instinctive, full-bodied gratitude. Her cheek pressed briefly against his chest, her warmth immediate and real.