She had finally accepted that the only way out was death. Once Veronica had stepped into his world, there had been no clean exit for either of them. No ordinary future waiting behind some white picket fence where the most dangerous thing in their lives was burnt toast and lawn care.
He was a different man now. Not good. Never that. Luca was self-aware enough not to insult God with such a claim. He still knew exactly how to bury a problem so deep even memory would need a shovel.
But Vee had made him softer in ways he had not expected. A little less sociopathic. A lot less psychotic.
Marginally more tolerable, according to Marco. Veronica had walked into Luca's life and lit it up instantly.
She had been fighting him with every breath, calling him out with an admirable courage. She challenged his darkness.
