“I can take you to work if you’d like,” Benny spoke softly, his warm hand finding mine on the table.
“I’m not going to work today.”
Benny followed after me with the shopping cart as I filled it. It was the first time we’d been in public together, but I was too angry at Leon and too focused on making things up to Matthew to be nervous about it.
I chose three phones so that Matthew would have options. And a laptop. And a tablet. An eReader too, because I knew he liked to read. Then again, I could just get him a bookshelf and someactual books. That way he’d have even more stuff of his own to fill the space. I also remembered he liked the color green, and decided we’d get some new bedding as soon as we were done with the electronics. Buying tech from our main competitor, Noctis Tech, was a small “fuck you” to Leon, but I was counting it.
“My love.” Benny spoke up as he trailed after me. “I’m all for buyin’ Matthew everythin’ he needs, but don’t you think he might want to choose some of it for himself?”
I stopped and looked at the cart, pondering that for a moment before continuing. “Just a few more things and then we can bring him back if he wants more.”
Benny huffed in amusement. “Good plan, baby.”
Once I had everything I could think of, we loaded it back into Benny’s car. “Now we need to go buy him a car,” I said while pulling my seatbelt on.
“We could do that, or we can go give him the phone, because I’m sure he needs that first, and bring himwithus to get the car.”
I frowned. I wanted to get everything for Matthew as quickly as possible, but I supposed it made sense for him to choose what car he wanted. I just hoped he wouldn’t be stubborn about it.
“And maaaaybe we get you a car too? And you can use that instead of your bike?”
I rolled my eyes.
It took several trips to bring in everything I’d chosen for Matthew, and when I suggested we go buy him a car right away, he told me he’d think about it and let us know later what he wanted to do.
I had a feeling he was stalling me, but I let it slide for now. If he didn’t pick something by the end of the weekend, I’d choose for him.
Matthew went to bed right after dinner.
Benny and I crossed off another movie from his list, and then we went to bed as well. We were both naked and pressed against each other, but it wasn’t sexual, and tonight I had no desire for it to be. I just wanted him as close to me as he could get.
He held me gently, placing sweet kisses over my shoulders as his fingertips traced the lines in my palms.
My mind drifted. Matthew was as safe as I could make him for now, but what would Leon try to do next? What would he go after when this didn’t get him what he wanted?
“What if I’m not worth all this?” I whispered into the darkness.
Benny stilled for a moment before his fingers continued their whispery movements. “You’re worth everythin’. And none of this is your fault.”
“He won’t stop here. He’ll find other ways to hurt us.”
“Then we’ll deal with it together.”
“It’s not just about us, Benny. It’s everyone close to us too. Rachel works for Lorens Industries. What if Leon goes for her next?”
He was quiet, so I continued.
“We can make the choice that we’re willing to give up everything for this, but we can’t make that choice for other people, pup.”
“We aren’t makin’ it. Leon is.”
I sighed. “Yes, but if we have the power to stop him and don’t, doesn’t that make us just as bad?”
“No.” His fingers threaded through mine, and he pulled our joined hands to rest on my chest over my heart. “This…” He squeezed my hand tighter. “This could never be bad. This could never be wrong.”
I let his hand go and turned to face him, pressing our foreheads together. “I’m so tired.”
“I know, love.” He kissed the tip of my nose. “I’ll do anythin’ you tell me to do if it’ll help you rest.”
