Page 37 of Bad Husband

“You’re doing a good job of it.”

Again, she laughed. “You’re full of compliments tonight,” she said.

“I’m just telling you like it is.”

She used some more of her plasters and stitches, and then pressed a larger Band-Aid over the wound.

“I think that is the last one,” she said.

He looked down to see she’d treated each one the same. He had at last six plasters over his body.

“How are you feeling?” she asked.

“I’m good.”

“You’re not lying, are you?”

He laughed. “I’ve got nothing to lie about.” He got to his feet and slid on his shirt. The one that was bloody and torn, he’d tossed into his trash. “I need to take the dogs for a walk. Do you want to come?”

“I’d love to.”

She grabbed her jacket, and even though he felt perfectly fine, he let Chiara round up the dogs and put them on leads. Once she had secured them all, she kept three leads for herself, and he got the others. They headed out toward the entrance and exit of the trailer park. Several of the kids waved, and the parents said hello to them. He also heard them say he did good today.

“I think you earned the love of No Point,” Chiara said.

He nodded, but he stayed silent, thinking.

They walked for a good twenty minutes, with neither of them speaking. They made their way back into town, and as they walked down the main street, several of the locals he’d come to recognize greeted him. Some of the men put their thumbs up at him, or made fists with their hands, and air punched. Several women touched his shoulder in thanks. There were no lingering touches. They were happy with what he’d done this afternoon.

“Are you okay?” Chiara asked. “Are you worried the bikers will come back?”

He already intended to deal with the bikers so they knew not to come causing trouble. “They won’t.”

“You’re always so sure of everything.”

Marco smiled. “That’s because I make sure they won’t. Trust me on this.”

She sighed.

They continued to walk in a full circle and started to head back.

“Chiara, do you love it here?” he asked.

They stopped on the grassy path, and the dogs chose that moment to sniff the ground.

“Yes, I do. I know it seems crazy but this feels like home for me,” she said.

“And that’s one of the reasons you want out?” he asked.

“Yes. Regardless of what happened today, I’ve felt safe. I like it here, and that’s why I want to stay.”

“Chiara, I love you.”

“Marco—”

“Let me finish.” He looked at her and waited just to make sure she was listening, and she pressed her lips together. Poodles had come to sit at her feet.

“I know I fucked up, big time. I know that, but if I was able to find a way where you’re out of this life and I join you, would you accept me?” he asked.