Veronica's last night at the ANTA Theatre also happened to be the first night that Marco Vendetti was supposed to be home. There was a huge wrap party a few blocks over that she should be attending, but her heart just wasn't in it.

After curtain call, she ran to her dressing room, changing as quickly as she could and made herself look as presentable as she could for someone pouring sweat. She caught a cab on the corner and had to beg for them to take her to Brooklyn.

She told herself it would be a quick hello. She would thank him for his financial backing the past few years and then stay with her uncle so he could take her home in the morning. She want to believe it was true, with all of her heart, she wanted it to be over. She had hoped that being Marco Vendetti's girl was just a phase in her life that she had out grown. It was stupid from the beginning, loving someone like Marco. He was controlling, vindictive, malicious. But as she pulled up to the club in the middle of Sunset Park, she felt the familiar pull and started believing that she had somehow convinced herself into the center of a huge charade.

She hadn't remembered the club ever being quite this packed. She stepped over some drunken man she hadn't recognized to get to the stairs, taking them ever so slowly, giving herself time to change her mind and run down the avenue to her uncle's apartment.

The door was wide open. She heard a cacophony of laughter and shouting, billiard balls and shattering glass. She stopped at the doorway, gripping the frame in her delicate clasp as she weighed her options. She found her options narrow when the man she recognized as Anthony spotted her, elbowing Vinnie at the pool table. They stopped to stare at her before Vinnie waved her in. It would look awfully pathetic if she took this chance to turn and run. She took a deep breath before crossing the threshold.

"Well, if it isn't the little princess." Anthony muttered affectionately.

"Ronnie. We didn't think you'd show." Vinnie admitted.

"It was my last night. I had to wait to leave. I could use a drink." She laughed.

"Let's get some alcohol in you." Vinnie laughed, leading her to the bar and getting her another Brooklyn.

She kept glancing over her shoulder. The action didn't go unnoticed by Vinnie. "No worries, doll. He ain't here."

"Who?" She smirked, playing coy.

"Cut the shit." He laughed. "Marco went home already."

"He left his own party?"

"Pulled some shit about being tired, wanted to adjust. We all swear he's just sad. A certain little miss didn't show her face."

She blushed, swaying in the ruffles of her dress. "Well, I'm here now." She bit her lip before continuing. "How is he?"

"Seemed good for someone who's been in the can for a few years. He's hungry, prolly horny, and hell bent on revenge." He laughed. "Maybe he can find somebody to help him out with that?"

"Hold your horses. I'm just here to say thank you. I'm not staying. Look!" She demonstrated. "No bags."

"You should go then. The night is young." He winked, encouraging her to go. "I can steal Jimmy's car, give you a lift."

"No, I think the walk will do me good."

"Sure that's safe?"

"I've endured worse, if you'll recall." She chugged all the alcohol in her cup and started to leave.

He nodded and let her leave, calling for her as soon as she reached the door. "Ronnie! Don't be too hard on him?"

She continued out the door and didn't look back. She decided instead to focus on the street lamps and how they illuminated her feet as she walked in her indigo pumps to the other side of Sunset Park where Marco's modest house was.

She hadn't planned out this far in her head, so when she saw the silhouette of the run down home in the distance, she panicked. She didn't even notice Marco sitting on the porch until he stood. She noticed the red jewel of his cigarette first, in the dim light of the porch. She managed to push herself as far as the rickety welded wire fence, stopping at the gate, bracing her hands on the cold metal.

At first, he had convinced himself she was a mirage. He was exhausted, strung out from over stimulating his long-dulled out senses. He pushed himself down the stairs to the gate to prove himself right, indulging himself a little. He tossed his cigarette into the grass. At the gate, he caught a whiff of her perfume, further proving to himself that he was indeed going crazy.

"Marco." She whispered, barely audible.

He pressed his finger to her lips, still not convinced she was there. He didn't want to ruin the moment with words. If it was her, he didn't want to waste precious time. His finger slipped to her chin, forming a hook and beckoning her forward, until her lips were nearly touching his.

"I only came to say thank you." She whispered. "I'm glad you're out. I have to go." She had every intention of leaving then, only her feet betrayed her. She stayed put in the spot, watching on baited breath as Marco gripped her face in both hands and wrenched her forward. Her stomach rammed into the gate between them as their lips collided in a fiery and impassioned kiss. She admittedly got caught up in the passion of the moment, temporarily giving in. Then she pulled away, pushing at his chest as she fought to gain composure. "I have to go." She urged, more than likely trying to convince herself.

"Wait! Doll face!" He called after her. "Can I talk to you for a second?" Marco said in a more hushed voice. She stopped, looking at him intently. "I, uh, got a little confession to make. The whole time that I was away, I was thinking about you."

"I've got to go, Marco."

"Hey, just listen to me." He said, holding her arms still. "I changed in there. I did. I just, I just wanted something sweet in my life." He said, petting her cheek. "Someone like you."

"How many times did you rehearse that one, handsome?" She laughed, brushing him off.

"A few." He admitted, smirking at her. "But I meant every word. All I did was think about you." He brushed her cheek with his thumb, tangling his fingers in her hair. "I missed you."

"I can't do this." She fought. "It's not a good idea. You're nothing but trouble."

"Yeah, but you wouldn't have it any other way."


Remember I love you all dearly as you curse me for ending this way. :)

I hope you all recognize a few certain favorite lines from the film. They fit better here and I knew I just had to use them.

Next part should be up soon and it's gonna be a doozy. Don't forget to fave and review!