As you can tell from the title, this is the epilogue to one of my favorite and most well-received stories to date. I'll miss Marco and Veronica, and I'm really sad to see this one end.

I'd like to thank everyone who loved Strike of the Viper and this story alike. That accounts for all the silent readers out there and my faithfuls, for whom I dedicate this story. Super special thanks goes to MrsGooglyBear, as well as rancidamy, HermioneandMarcus, PrincessPipi, MyLittleMonster'sFantasy, jessegdixon, Maddie-MarieXO, MrsNormanReedus2013, SPEEDIE22, zansbitch1, and a few miscellaneous guests. Thanks so much for the encouragement and inspiration.

SEVERAL MONTHS LATER

"It's gonna be all reds and golds. We're gonna keep the major theme here. I want it to be romantic and intimate." Veronica instructed, going through a stack of paint and fabric samples.

"You're not changing much then, are you?" Philly laughed. Long gone were the sling on his arm and the brace around his neck.

Things really seemed to be getting better. Veronica had just graduated with honors. That was a week ago. An hour after the ceremony, she moved back to Brooklyn. Marco bought a larger house so they could have, as he put it, "more privacy."

They liked to pretend that things were back to normal, but Veronica could see that Marco was more stressed than ever. With great power comes great responsibility, and Marco pretty much had greatness thrust upon him.

After Fritzy's tragic death, Marco claimed stake in his club and all of his business ventures, single handedly taking over Sunset Park and becoming the grand Mafioso, one of the most powerful in Brooklyn.

"I don't want to hear you giving any lip, Philly. Whatever she wants, she gets." Marco muttered, cigarette in hand.

Veronica smirked. "I like the authenticity of the place. That's the reason you picked it, right?" She asked Marco.

"Sure, doll. That, and it's right beside the candy shop." He said between puffs. The shop itself had become the safe haven of the avenue. Out of respect for Leon, no one was aloud to do deals in or outside of the building. Directly next door, however, was a different story.

"We'll go with these." She said, handing the samples to Philly along with the accompanying order sheet.

"That'll be all, Philly." Marco glared, tamping out his cigarette and crossing his arms.

"But Marco, we still have to –"

"I said that will be all. Get the fuck out."

"Yes sir." He muttered, grabbing the paperwork and scurrying out the front door.

When the door shut behind him, Veronica and Marco were left in silence, staring at each other from across the table. "Are you happy, sweetheart?" Marco asked, biting his lip.

"Of course I am."

"I think this is gonna be good." He leaned forward in his seat, pushing himself up to stand. "A place for just us." He was practically circling her, like a vulture on a carcass.

"Isn't that romantic of you, handsome. And here, I thought you were just a violent asshole." She smirked, still looking forward, away from him.

He placed a firm hand on her shoulder, steadying her before hooking his other elbow around her throat and pulling back so she looked him in the eye. "I'm a bad man." He reminded her. His lips were against her ear, his breath hot on her cheek. "I've got a soft spot for you, kitten."

"Could've fooled me." She purred with a sarcastic smirk.

"Don't go ruining my reputation, baby." He growled before biting her neck and causing her to shriek. She tried to twirl around and face him, but he held her still. "Behave." He commanded.

"But where's the fun in that." She pouted. "I was thinking… we've been so busy christening the new house, we haven't thought to start here."

All of a sudden, he pulled the chair back from the table, twirling her around to face him. "We'll just have to fix that." He smirked before throwing her over his shoulder and carrying her to the soundstage, throwing her down on the edge. He grabbed her thighs, pulling her forward enough so that her ass was off the edge and reached under the poufs of her skirt, finding her panties and pulling them off with ease.

She reached forward, tangling her fingers in his shirt, bunching it in his hands and trying to lift it over his arms. He caught the material half way up his stomach before he caught her tiny wrists and finished the rest of the task. "Don't move." He said darkly.

He bent over her, the bulge in his pants colliding with her most naked parts as his lips found hers. He bit down on her lower lip as he pulled back, running his hands down her ribs, still encased in too much material. Mine, he reminded himself. Always mine he thought before he tugged at his belt, watching her intently as he got his pants out of the way.

She managed to sit up enough to unzip her dress, shrugging the strapless bodice down her chest just enough to expose her full breasts before he growled at her. He leaned down, holding her neck down with one hand and rubbing her clit in the other. His mouth found her nipples, raving her naked chest. She made small choking sounds as she tried to plead with him for more. "Tell me. Say you belong to me." Marco whispered, his voice deep and dark and full of lust, his eyes boring into hers.

"I'm all yours, Marco."

"Shit." He muttered. His bare cock thumped at the sound of her voice before he lost control and plunged into her, watching in amazement as his dick disappeared into her tightness.

She really never ceased to amaze him. She allowed him to take his frustration out on her body, always willing to help him relieve some tension. His job was stressful, he was always on edge. But, then there was Veronica. His queen. The one woman who didn't seem to be afraid, the one he never tired of. His light in the darkness. He followed the motions, pounding into her as he thought of all the ways she amazed him.

"Marco." She panted his name, a pleading sweet sound. His lips found hers in an urgent kiss, fervent and full of passion. His body molded into hers, grinding into her tight little bundle of nerves as her hips beckoned to his. Her ankles tangled around his bare ass as she begged him to make her fall apart beneath him. She screamed his name again, this time unwinding around him, tightening around his cock and forcing him to follow close behind.

They were made for each other. They couldn't deny it. This life was dangerous, but they would get through it together.