Journal Entry

Mafia monstera, n.

A rare species of famiglia that's capable of erubescence

"I'LL DRIVE YOU TO SCHOOL ," Lorenzo says quite casually after breakfast.

It's only been a week since I came to live with my husband, and if not for Giancarlo still missing, this could've easily been the best week of my life.

Every day with my beast is a revelation, and I just never know what to expect from him. He's gentle one moment, ravenous the next. He makes me laugh without trying, but he can also make me cry just by being himself. The only constant thing about Lorenzo is his need for me. He can't seem to help touching me. And I wouldn't want it any other way, which is why I hate the fact that it's time for me to go back to school.

I clear my throat as he helps me to my feet. "So, I was thinking. Maybe I can take a leave of absence—-"

"What for?"

"I think Gloom's lonely."

Lorenzo only looks pointedly at his dog, whose tail is happily wagging at the moment.

"Kidding!"

I force myself to laugh, and Lorenzo looks at me like I've lost my mind.

Someone please turn back time.

Please!

Lorenzo glances at his watch. "Time to go. We don't want you to be late on your first day back."

I scowl and try dragging my feet, but I'm no match for his strength, and Lorenzo eventually manages to get me into the backseat of his SUV.

Grrr .

Lorenzo looks at me curiously. "Are you sulking?"

"You're going to miss me, you know," I warn him darkly.

"I won't."

Okay, now, he's just being plain cruel—-

"If you're in school, I'll be there, too."

Or maybe he's just misinformed.

"I wish that's true, but our college has a strict no-visitors policy."

"I know."

"And it won't matter if you're the Beast of New York either," I stress. " You can be Godzilla and King Kong's love child—-"

Lorenzo chokes at this.

"But it still wouldn't matter—-"

"I know."

I open my mouth to tell him that not even Giancarlo was able to bend the rules, but Lorenzo beats me to speaking.

"I forgot to tell you," he murmurs. "I bought your school."

I start to laugh but end up choking when I realize he's serious.

"For real?"

Lorenzo only stares at me.

"You're really not joking?"

"You haven't heard? Monsters don't have a sense of humor."

"Oh, but you're not a monster," I protest right away. "How dare anyone call you that? Don't they know you're the monster and not just any monster?"

His lips slowly curve, and I just...die.

Oh, thank You, God.

Thank You for choosing Lorenzo for me.

Thank You for keeping him safe for me.

But...

"You told me you never lie."

Lorenzo's gaze narrows.

"And yet here you are, smiling ."

He immediately stops doing so, but it's too late. I've already taken a photo, and you bet his beautiful smiling face is going to be my wallpaper on both my phone and tablet.

"Delete that, dammit."

But that just makes me giggle.

"I never imagined the Beast of New York could be so cute!"

"While everyone clearly lied about the youngest Marchetti being weak and meek," Lorenzo retorts.

Oh, this is just too perfect.

And so my hands fly up to my mouth as I gasp.

"What?" my husband demands.

"I think it's happening," I whisper.

But Lorenzo is ever so clueless still, and his face only hardens. "What the hell are you talking about?"

"Can't you see? I think we're falling in—-"

My husband suddenly drags me to his lap, and the rest of my words are lost in his kiss.