Because she was right.
He had bound her with loyalty and jealousy, wrapped her in an arrangement that demanded everything from her and excused everything from him.
Behind him, Vee's breathing grew uneven. The tears she had fought finally slipped free.
"I didn't want her," he said quietly. The arrogance was gone now. "I wanted you."
But she stood there shaking, realizing that the power she held in this moment did not erase the imbalance between them.
"Bambola, do what you have to do." Luca said.
"I want to make you suffer as much as I am suffering, Luca. But this… I'm not cut out for this…"
The paddle slipped from her fingers and hit the floor with a flat, defeated sound.
She was shaking.
"You're weak!" Luca said, pushing himself up from the bowed position back onto his knees.
"Excuse me?"
