Tangled Web of Love

 

It was an ugly cry, the kind Kelly had never allowed in public before—especially in front of someone she planned to sleep with. Tears poured down her awkwardly grimacing face. Snot stopped up her nostrils and made it hard to breathe.

Benjamin, to his credit, turned on the radio in order to help cover her sobs, but not even the jazz song could tame the loud moans that erupted from her mouth and shook the frames of the car.

At last, the vehicle slowed down in front of a beautiful promenade bordering the water. They were just in time to catch the sun’s descent into the Caribbean Sea—the striking oranges, reds, and pinks breathtaking in the horizon.

Kelly’s tears dried at the fascinating display. At least something in the world was going right.

When Benjamin sensed her calming, he turned the radio down and looked at her. His blue eyes were a shade darker in the shadows of the cab and worry lines snaked across his forehead.

“Are you okay?”

“I’m fine. You?”

He grunted. Kelly detected irritation in the sound and, feeling oddly vulnerable, she asked him about it. Instead of responding with gentleness and putting her worries to rest, Benjamin snapped.

“Kel, what were you thinking?”

Surprised by the anger in his tone, her eyebrows shot up. “What do you mean?”

“Why would you get involved in such a dangerous situation? What if you’d gotten hurt? Did you see what he did to his wife’s face? Why would you sign up for the same? What if he’d delivered?”

“He didn’t,” she stammered, annoyance climbing up her spine. She’d been crying her eyes out a moment ago and his first instinct was to scold her for getting involved when someone was in need of help?

“What if I hadn’t shown up? Huh?” Benjamin ran a hand through his hair and licked his lips. “I know your upset, so I’m trying to be understanding. I really am. But the what if’s—they’re killing me. You should have just called the cops”

“What about you then?” Kelly turned fully toward him, her chin tilted in challenge. “You saw the way Marco looked. He’s obviously a dangerous man—maybe even involved in gangs and drugs. You should have stayed back and called the police before throwing yourself into a fight that wasn’t yours.”

“How could I leave you to handle things on your own?”

“Well that’s exactly how I felt about Maria. I couldn’t leave her in that situation without trying to do something about it.”

“Do you know her personally?”

She bit on her bottom lip. “Not exactly.”

“Then there’s a difference.” He sighed. “Look, I’m all for being there for someone in need, but it was clearly a volatile situation and you had no back up. That’s all I’m saying.”

“I hear you.” She blew out a breath. “And thank you for coming. How did you know where I was?”

He slanted her a look. “I told you to text me when you got home so I knew you reached safely.”

“Oh.” Kelly slapped her forehead. “I forgot. I was… busy.”

“When we came home, we saw you running out of the apartment like a pack of demons were on your tail. I settled Bianca inside and came out to look for you. I figured you hadn’t gone too far—though the way you were running I’m surprised you didn’t end up outside the city.”

She chuckled and wiped the tears that stained her cheeks. “Normally, I’d scold you for spying, but I’m grateful you did.”

“It wasn’t spying.” Benjamin’s eyebrows furrowed. “It was concern.”

“Put lipstick on a tapir and it’s still a tapir.”

“What?”

“The tapir’s the Belize national animal.”

“I’m sorry I asked.” Benjamin shook his head and started the car. “Let’s go home. I need some coffee.”

“Actually, I wanted to visit the nearest police station.”

“To report the incident?”

“It’s worth a shot. Even though Maria doesn’t seem like she wants to leave him, they should know what’s going on.”

“Good idea. Can you give me directions? I’m not familiar with the city yet.”

Kelly guided him through the abandoned streets and, fifteen minutes later, they parked in front of the large grey building. A Belizean flag fluttered at the top of a flagpole. Shiny white police cruisers waited in a neat row to the left of the building. The light cast from the tall lampposts broke up the darkness.

Kelly gripped the hem of the shirt Benjamin had given her. “I’ve never been to a police station before.”

“Never?” Benjamin asked, his fingers on the small of her back as they walked up the stairs to the front door. “It’s nothing to be afraid of.”

She eyed him. “It sounds like you’ve been to a station more than once.”

He did not respond. Instead, Benjamin rested his arm on the counter and smiled at the female officer on duty. When the woman saw him, the lollipop rolling around in her mouth clattered to her desk.

“Good night, ma’am.”

Benjamin’s velvety voice nestled against the woman’s ear and she pressed forward as if to lean into his every word.

“I’d like to make a witness report.”

“Right at the back there,” she said, pointing to the corner without taking her eyes off him.

“Thank you.” He sent her a devastating smile and turned to take Kelly’s arm. She could feel the officer’s laser-eyed gaze on her back as Benjamin escorted her to a tiny alcove where a thick, old man sat behind an equally ancient PC computer.

“Good evening,” Benjamin allowed Kelly to take the only seat available and stood behind her. “We’d like to report a domestic disturbance.”

“Where?” the man asked, his eyes fixed on the computer and his mouth loudly chewing gum.

“Uh, 145 Marine Street.”

He started laughing. Kelly and Benjamin exchanged glances. Had she said something funny?

The officer calmed and held his protruding stomach. “Ma’am, that’s Maria and Marco Fuentes. I can make the report, but trust me, you’re better off saving your breath.”

“What do you mean?”’

“We used to get called out to that place twice a month. Now, the neighbors don’t even bother to do anything when they hear the noises.”

“Sir, the young lady is being abused,” Benjamin said.

“She goes back to him every time and refuses to press charges. When someone steps forward and becomes a witness to the violence, she terrorizes their house, their family, even their dog. It’s crazy! She’s crazy.”

“What about social services?” Benjamin insisted.

“We worked closely with the Department of Human Services for several months to see if we could convince her. She used to be an illegal immigrant who got her papers when she married that gangbanger. Now she thinks she owes him her life. I worked personally on that case. Breaks my heart, but what can I do?”

“I’d still like to have a public record of what I saw,” Kelly said. “Even if it doesn’t result in his arrest.”

“Very well.” The man’s chair creaked as he straightened and pulled out a form.

Kelly filled in the slots and gave her account. The officer grudgingly typed her information into the computer and then stamped the sheet with a seal.

“Don’t worry, ma’am. You and your husband can sleep well knowing you did the best that you could.”

“He’s not my husband,” Kelly said quickly.

“Thank you officer.” Benjamin breezed by the comment without batting an eye. He steered her out of the station as Kelly laughed nervously and peered at him through the corner of her eyes.

“Do we look like a couple? I don’t think so.”

He made a sound at the back of his throat and opened her car door. She held out her hand to keep him from closing it.

“Benjamin, what if Maria really believes she owes Marco her life? How do I convince her she’s wrong?”

“Kel, you heard the man. You’ve done all you could.”

“What does that mean?”

“Don’t pry in other people’s business.”

“Why? Because I might get hurt?” She released the door handle and folded her arms across her chest. “There’s more to life than worrying about your own safety, you know.”

Benjamin sighed and closed her door. When he rounded the hood and got in beside her, he stared straight ahead, making no moves to start the vehicle.

“What are you waiting for?” Kelly asked.

“With Maria… don’t do anything stupid.”

“Hey!”

“That’s an order.”

“What if I disobey it?”

He sent her a stern look and started the car. “Then I guess I’ll have to punish you.”

Goosebumps danced over her skin. Benjamin probably hadn’t meant the comment to be anything sexual and yet it had the very same effect.

Get your mind out of the gutter, Kel

It was still the weekend. Benjamin was off-limits until Monday. She closed her eyes. Just ten more hours. She could hold out until then.