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“We were up all night, worried our families would be the next target. My mother even has escorts.” He glances at the doorway, as if verifying Benny isn’t here. “Benny’s biggest fear is losing someone close to him. Losing his mom was hard, and when shit like this happens, it drags that memory back up. Take it easy on him.” He offers me a kind smile. “Don’t fault him for keeping you safe.”
* * *
Benny declinedLuca’s request for us to go grocery shopping.
He told himhe’dcome home and drive me.
When Benny returned to the house, he graced us with bloody knuckles and an attitude problem. When I questioned him, he blew off answering me and said we’d talk about it later. Then, when I mentioned forgetting my phone at the mansion, he declared that was also alatersituation.
So, I’m living in the Stone Age until then—having to manually write down my grocery list on a pad of paper and not scroll Instagram while pretending the silence between my husband and me isn’t uncomfortable in the car.
Benny has hardly spoken to me. He’s on edge—no doubt from our conversation last night. I insinuated he was a man capable of taking a woman against her will. I shouldn’t have said it, but I’ve heard too many stories of women in our lifestyle being raped.
But I understand how such a serious accusation could hurt someone.
Rape is the only crime committed for selfish purposes—no matter who you are or the circumstances.
People can kill in self-defense.
Steal for survival—food and clothes to protect them from the cold.
But there is never an exception for rape. It’s purely selfish.
I decide the best way to start my apology is to make a nice meal.
Benny whips into the parking lot of Guzzi’s Meat Corner, the local market. Painted on the window in neon-pink lettering are this month’s specials.
Benny rests his hand on the small of my back as we walk into the market.
“There’re the newlyweds!” Louisa calls out, moving around the register and skipping toward us.
She wraps me into a quick, tight hug and gently smiles at Benny after pulling away.
Louisa and her husband, Ralph, own the market.
“You are glowing.” Her wrinkles show as she jumps in excitement and stops a random customer. “Isn’t this gorgeous newlywed just a-glowing?”
The woman stares at me and slowly forces herself to nod. Neither Benny nor I area-glowing.
“I’ll let you two get to your shopping.” Louisa shoos us away. “Ralph has great specials in the back. Make sure you stop by and say hi!”
I offer her a similar smile she gives to us while Benny grabs a cart and stares at me for our next move.
“Have you ever gone grocery shopping?” I ask, heading toward the produce.
Benny pushes the cart. “No.”
“Never?”
“Never. I can arrange it so you don’t have to either.”
I shake my head. “I enjoy grocery shopping.”
As soon as we could walk, we helped my mother in the kitchen. She passed down her love of creating delicious dishes to my sisters and me. Okay, me and Bria. Isabella is the queen of burn town.
I select my products and gather essentials. Benny doesn’t mutter a word or grab anything for himself until we reach the cereal aisle. While I snatch Cheerios, he tosses a box of Lucky Charms into the cart.
I raise a brow. “Lucky Charms?”
