smile of my own. “My body still hurts like a bitch, but it’s good to get out of the house.”
We were both standing near the hostess podium when she let out a deep breath and added, “It’s not the same without Frankie, though.”
My heart thumped with melancholy. “I know,” I whispered. “I’m still trying to get used to walking through the front doors and not seeing her.”
“I’m still reeling from the rumors.” Mona let out a low whistle and I knew where she was going with this. “Not that I’m a part of that type of gossip, but when I was at the hairdresser’s, and they were gossiping that Phoenix Fiore had gotten married, I hadn’t thought anything of it.” She shook her head. “I mean, why would I, you know? Morgan City is a long ways away from Cedar Creek.”
“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.