"My mother's going to kill me." I laughed, but it felt like I was on the verge of tears. "No, she's not," Benito said. "I called her today and asked if it would be all right." He gave my shoulder a squeeze. "She was glad, said she was relieved that you would have someone to protect you." When I glanced up at him, he gave me a small smile. "And that's what we do best. Protect each other."
