Don's lips lifted in a slow, lazy smile. He turned back to the view.
Meanwhile, Veronica clutched Luca's face again, hands trembling as she pressed her lips to his. "Luca…please, please beg him to stop…" she whispered.
Luca tried to steady her as Marco reached them.
"Careful," he instructed.
"Always." Marco whispered.
Marco's hands gripped her gently to remove her from the scene, but Vee was unstoppable. With a sudden, panicked strength, she yanked herself free, the disability in her leg causing her to collapse backward onto the ground. Luca lunged instinctively, arms outstretched, to break her fall as the whip—blind and cruel—sliced through the air again.
The leather wrapped around both of them, striking Vee across the chest. Pain shot through her and she let out a scream. Her body convulsed, shock and pain twisting her movements, but even through it, she clung to him with a feral determination.
"No!!!" Luca yelled.
Marco reacted immediately, scooping Vee up from him.
