jessegdixon: It's good to hear! I loved that line, too! I kind of laughed while I wrote it. Thanks for the support!
Everyone else: thanks for the sweet comments! Keep them coming! I'm so glad everyone likes this!
Marco hadn't planned on telling Veronica. In fact, he planned on forgetting it had happened.
"You actually think he's gonna leave?" Philly asked, sipping a beer as his cousin counted their earnings, making sure every last cent was there.
"Not at all, but at least I can tell Fritzy I tried to keep the peace." Marco paused to lick his thumb and continued to count.
"What about the girl?" Philly asked.
Marco glanced up in order to smirk at his cousin. "I'm almost finished with her."
Jimmy ran in the door. "Leon's looking for you. Says you're really gonna get it this time."
Marco looked up at the drugged up guy in his kitchen. "Well, Leon's gonna have to wait. Gather the rest of the Vipers. We're going to the Feast tonight. I'll bet anything we'll run into that little bitch, Leon there."
"You're gonna get Veronica in the middle of this?" Philly asked.
"I won't let anything happen to her." He admitted aloud. He suddenly shook his head and added, "At least not until I'm done with her." He smirked to himself, setting his cash back on the table and looking back around the kitchen. "Philly, get this shit cleaned up!"
"Sir?"
"I've got a hot date tonight."
"The fuck does that have to do with anything? You never care if the house is clean when you bring dames over."
"Stop asking questions! Just shut up and do what I fucking say!"
Marco arrived at Veronica's apartment on time.
She came out dressed in a plain black dress with black pumps. The dressed synched in the center with a pink ribbon that tied near her side with a bow. She had swept her hair to the side with a clip and it fell in soft curls over her left shoulder. She avoided heavy makeup and had only lined her eyes and applied copious amounts of mascara.
Marco had decided to go the extra mile and met her by the door, offering her his hand to help her down the stairs.
"You look good, doll."
"Thank you." She said. He was sure she was blushing. He held the door open for her as she smoothed out her skirt. "Are you sure you have time to go tonight? You've been busy lately."
"Business, babe. I made sure I have plenty of time for you tonight."
She nodded, somewhat understanding that business comes first in Marco's life and allowed him to drive them to the Feast. She knew Leon was still looking for him, if only because Annette had warned her earlier at the pizzeria. She was hoping to keep Marco distracted long enough to warn off any fights.
She allowed Marco to lead her around the church grounds, showing her off like a prize he had claimed, something no one was allowed to touch. She had to admit it was nice to feel wanted. "Everyone's staring." She whispered against the spider tattoo on his neck.
"They're all jealous, doll face. You'll get used to it." He pulled her in closer, possessively. "What did you want to do first?"
"Hey, Marco!" Vinnie called from beside the high striker. Marco's arm fell from her side, instead grabbing her hand and leading her over to the group of vipers trying to test their strength. "What's up, daddy-o?"
"What are we doing, boys?"
"Target practice. For when Leon finally grows a pair of balls and steps up." Toni said.
Vinnie leaned around Marco to look at Veronica. She had fallen to the background, standing just behind the Vipers leader. "How you doin', little princess?"
"Hi, Vinnie." She smiled, still holding Marco's hand.
"You gonna win the girl a prize, boss?" Vinnie asked, handing him the oversized mallet.
Marco looked back at Veronica and she nodded. "Go show them what you've got." She smirked, letting go of his hand. He smirked at her, handing the guy in charge of the game a bill. He flicked his cigarette into the grass and took the mallet in both hands, raising it up over his head and bringing it down hard on the target below. The little ball on the gauge rose up rapidly and struck the bell at the top.
"Come on little lady, step on up and pick a prize." The carnival game worker said.
"That one." She smiled, pointing at a small brown bear.
He handed her the trinket and she spun back around to find Marco and the boys in deep conversation. Marco nodded and bit his thumb, stepping towards Veronica.
"I've got to go talk to the boys for a minute. I promise, I'll be right back, doll." He kissed her forehead and pulled out a roll of bills, handing them to her. "Go have some fun."
She was disappointed to say the least. She decided to go find Annette who was over by the ring toss, also alone. "Hey! There you are!" She smiled, embracing her friend.
"Did you get left behind, too?" Annette laughed.
"Boys." She giggled, rolling her eyes and setting her stuffed animal on the counter.
They decided to split a bucket of rings and were doing poorly when a pair of hands slipped around Veronica's waist. "Told you it wouldn't be long." He purred in her ear, kissing and biting her neck. She giggled and turned on her seat. "You're doing it all wrong." He said, standing up straighter. He picked up a ring and tossed it sideways, landing the ring on one of the glass bottles in front of them.
"Marco. The fuck are you doing here?" We turned to see Leon standing just behind Annette with his brother and a few other boys behind him.
"Last I checked, it was a free country." Marco laughed, pulling away from Veronica and stepping closer to Leon.
"Leon, not here. Not at the church." Annette pleaded, trying to hold him back. He merely brushed her off, coming forward to meet Marco, chest to chest.
"You've got a lot of nerve showing your face here after the other night." Leon said.
"Yeah, well you've got a lot of nerve showing your face, period. You and these pathetic mother fuckers behind you." Marco countered.
"Well let's see who's really the pathetic one here."
"Bone yard. Half an hour." Marco snickered.
"See you there."