Blood Luster

Chapter Seven

Magnolia shut the door behind her and went to the window she had used earlier to peek out, Benjamin was standing on the porch with his arms crossed over his chest. After deciding she wasn't going to hide, she walked over to the couch and sat down. She knew Benjamin would never let Ricky in the house; therefore, she didn't have a reason to hide. The door swung open and Benjamin walked in, shut the door, and locked it. He sat her purse on the side table, she hadn't realized she'd forgotten it in the car.

"Was it Ricky?" she asked.

"I don't know. Whoever it was backed up before I could see anything, but I think we both know it was," he responded.

She stood and walked to grab her purse, fetching her phone.

Ricky: I know you're with him. I'm not as stupid as you think I am

Enjoy your food, lol. Don't forget, I am always watching Magnolia.

She placed her hand over her eyes and let the tears fall down her cheeks.

"What is it?" Benjamin asked.

The lump in her throat rendered her speechless, she handed him her phone and sat down on the couch again. She avoided looking at Benjamin, she feared what she would see.

How could Ricky be like this? What has he turned into?

"I'll handle this." Benjamin said, through gritted teeth.

"No, you have to let me. This is about me, he's mad at me."

"Magnolia, this isn't just him being upset anymore. He is taking it too far; I don't trust him. I have never trusted him, but this?" He glared. "This is something much more, he has to know he can't do these things and get away with it."

"Please, calm down. I already promised you I wouldn't see him. If you're with me I'm safe, right?" She rested her hand on his cheek. "I don't want to fight about this. I promise I have no intention of being around him ever again. Maybe after he realizes my intentions, he'll return to his life and leave me alone."

"Of course you're safe with me. I'm just scared of the moment that I'm not there, then what?" He closed his eyes. "You're right, let's just forget about him for now. But when the time comes, you're going to have to step aside. You can't keep protecting him if he's going to treat you like this."

"I know," she said.

"Let's eat. I'll go grab the food from the car," he said, rubbing her shoulder.

"Oh god, it's probably cold now." She sighed.

"Maybe not baby." He walked out the door, letting it slam behind him.

Benjamin quickly returned with the food; she hadn't realized how hungry she was until the aromas of barbecue filled her nostrils. He gestured for her to walk ahead of him into the kitchen. He flipped the light switch on. The kitchen was large; the cabinets were dark blue, the appliances were all stainless steel, and the countertops matched the ones in the guest house. There was a large island placed in the center of the kitchen, she had always wanted a large enough island it could hold seats.

"Wow, this is beautiful," she said, rubbing her palm across the marble countertops.

"Thank you, I've done most of the work myself with the help of Nat. But we could always use an extra set of hands, especially someone to decorate." He winked at her.