“Not that long,” I muttered under my breath. I had the broken bones to prove it.
I always wish for a busy shift because it made the time go by quicker and it meant more tips. But, this time, I resented the slow bustle of in between dining times because it meant Mona and I had extra time to chitchat, and I did not want to chitchat about her current topic.
“But when they said he married Frankie,” she continued, disbelief in her voice. “I could hardly credit it. I mean, our Frankie.”
I didn’t want to talk about Frankie in connection with the Benetti Family, but her circumstances were hardly a secret anymore. Of course, I had no confirmation on anything, but I knew they had killed Randy. I knew they killed him, and I knew it was going to look as if Randy had just run off, and it’d be easy to do. Randy never held down a steady job and was always running with the wrong crowd, it was feasible that he left town to ditch a debt or something unsavory like that. However, it wasn’t until a few days later, rumors and whispers started circulating throughout the cities, towns, and probably he entire state, that Frankie had married Phoenix Fiore. Apparently, it had been announced like the presentation of Simba, and there was…evidence of what would happen to someone if they ever dared to go near the wife of Phoenix Fiore, The Holy Ghost. And in case that threat wasn’t substantial enough, it was also relayed that she was Francesca Mancini Fiore and Luca Benetti’s right-hand.
And as much as I hated this topic, I couldn’t play dumb and pretend I hadn’t heard the gossip just like everyone else. “It boggles the mind, that’s for sure,” I commented.
Mona started rearranging the menus located at the hostess station, trying to look busy. Her big blue eyes regarded me. “And you had no idea she was dating him? Like, none at all?”
“Not at all,” I confirmed.
“But…you were her best friend,” she replied. “It’s crazy that she kept that from you.”
I liked Mona. She was one of the few people I considered a friend, but I needed to shut this topic down. As much as I liked her, I didn’t need to give The Holy Trinity a reason to come looking for me. “I understand her need for privacy, Mona,” I told her. “Being…related to them is a big deal. I can see why she’d want to keep that information to herself.”
Properly chastised, Mona said, “You’re right. If all the rumors about the Benetti Family are true, it’s no wonder she didn’t share that part of herself.”
“I think she just wanted a little bit of normal before she…went back to Morgan City,” I added.
“Have you ever met them?” she asked. “Her husband or brother, I mean?”
I wanted to laugh.
Have I ever met them? No.
Have I ever encountered them in one of the most terrifying capacity ever? Yes.
“No,” I lied. “I’ve never met her husband or brother. I don’t imagine they spend a lot of time in Cedar Creek.” And then just to be absolutely clear, I added, “I only met Luca Benetti that one time when he came to Brighton. But, even then, I hadn’t met him. I only offered to take their order.”
“Had I known who that man was back then, I probably would have swooned,” she joked.
Yeah, me too, I thought.
I never imagined the man with the black hair and black eyes with a face carved from marble would be Luca Benetti. I had waited on them like a simpleton; absolutely clueless.
I wasn’t clueless anymore, though.
Chapter 3
Ciro~
The door was already shutting behind me when I realized I probably needed to knock these days instead of just letting myself in. Now that Frankie and Phoenix were married, I didn’t need to walk in on anything I would need to poke my eyeballs out for.
“Hey!” I called out, not taking a step further.
My sister walked out from what I knew was the washroom. “Hey,” she returned. I big smile on her face. But that smile gave way to confusion as she asked, “What are you doing just standing there?”
I grinned. “Just wanted to make sure everyone’s got their clothes on before I get comfortable.”
Frankie rolled her eyes. “Phoenix isn’t even here,” she retorted.
With that information, I walked through the foyer and into the living room. “Good,” I replied. “I wanted to spend time with my sister, and he’d just get in the way.” Frankie walked into my open arms, and she let me just hug her.
When I finally pulled back, I asked, “So, how is everything coming along?”
“Things are good,” she said. “Do you want something to eat or drink?”
“I’ll take a Pepsi, if you got one.” But, of course, she always had one. Pepsi was both our favorite.
I sat in the kitchen bar as she got a soda for me and a water for herself. She leaned on the counter across from me and it felt really good to be able to do this with her again. “I got all my classes sorted out,” she announced. “It’s all online, though. No campus work.” I wasn’t surprised, but neither was she.
“That was a given, Frankie,” I replied. “You’re lucky Phoenix lets you out of his sight at all.”
She sighed. “I’m trying, Ciro,” she replied. “I really am. I understand better now, and after a month of witnessing Phoenix’s reactions to my healing, I wouldn’t do that to him again. To any of you.”
“What about the scar?” I knew it had to bother Nix if it bothered me. “Plan
