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“You—or your family—need to tell me what’s going on.”
“How would I know?”
He shoots me an accusatory glance even though I should be questioning him. His phone ringing stops his possible interrogation.
He answers the call, listens for a moment, and says, “I’m gonna make sure Neomi is comfortable at the mansion, and then we’ll talk.”
The sun is setting as he drives. When we arrive, three guards with guns thrown over their shoulders wait at the mansion’s steel gate. They approach the SUV, and Benny rolls down his window.
“I want eyes on every inch of this place,” he instructs them. “Every fucking inch. Do you hear me?” Spit flies out with his last three words.
The man in front, who seems to be around Benny’s age and has a long scar on his cheek, rapidly nods with Benny’s every word before saying, “We’re on it.”
The gate slowly opens, and Benny hits the gas. He swerves around the circular driveway with a massive fountain in the middle and parks at the front door. He jumps out of the SUV, and I open my door—an attempt to beat him from helping me out.
When my heels hit the ground, I stare at the mansion and remember what happened the last time I was here.
“Come on,” Benny says, signaling me to walk. He stays behind me and watches our surroundings.
The front door flies open before we reach it. Gigi and Natalia stand at the entrance. Most of our guests left when Benny and I went into the choir room to speak with our parents.
Natalia leaps forward, hugs me, and practically drags me inside the mansion.
“Neomi, I am so sorry you had to go through that,” she says, her pregnant belly creating space between us as she hugs me.
I tense at the sudden affection. Sure, my parents have hugged us, but we’ve never been a doting family. We save this type of affection for holidays. I pat Natalia’s back in an attempt to appear normal.
“I have to say,” Gigi says, standing next to Natalia, still wearing her gold dress, “blood seems to be your color, but let’s get you out of that dress.”
“I think, after the engagement party, we should’ve learned black is the best color for you,” Natalia says.
Gigi nods in agreement. “It hides blood better.”
“Just get her some fucking clothes, Gigi,” Benny snaps.
“All right, all right, cranky,” Gigi mutters, rolling her eyes at her brother. “Come on, Neomi.”
When I step forward, Benny grips my elbow, stopping me. I turn to face him, and his expression is tense. He swipes his thumb along my cheek, taking bits of dried-up blood, and I shiver.
“You’ll be safe here,” he says, his voice deep.
“I know,” I whisper.
The mansion is said to be the safest place in the city. It has better security than most federal prisons. Anytime the Marchettis have encountered trouble, it’s always been outside the gates. If there’s anywhere you’ll feel protected, it’s within these stone walls. There are guards at the gate, on the roof, and at every entry into the mansion.
“I’ll be back.” Benny kisses the top of my head.
That simple touch from him is like a relaxant injected inside me.
As soon as he leaves the mansion, Gigi captures my hand and leads me upstairs.
“I have to say, that was my favorite wedding I’ve attended thus far,” she says before glancing over her shoulder to Natalia behind me. “No offense.”
“None taken,” Natalia replies. “I also quite enjoyed the engagement party.”
Gigi throws her head back and laughs. “I’m just loving this for my brother.”
“I don’t think he is,” I mutter.
