Chapter 2
CHAPTER TWO
Penn
“Honestly, I’m not sure what’s going on.
I’ve greased all the wheels, talked to everyone we know, all those that have the power.
The polling showed Victor in the lead three months ago; now this Benito Calvern is ahead.
At least that’s what the Quinnipiac University poll is saying.
” Corey Grant, the current mayor of Northchester, was pacing in front of Gideon’s desk.
I sat on the sofa to the left with my tablet, researching this Benito Calvern.
“What about the chief, commissioner, state’s attorney, councilman? What are they doing?” Gideon rolled an unlit cigar between his thumb and forefinger—unlit because he was trying to quit—a sign he was agitated.
“I…I mean.” Corey was sweating. “Mr. Hendrix, something’s going on.”
“Can you elaborate on that?” Gideon’s eyes narrowed.
Corey plopped into the chair across from him. “I was talking to Victor last night; he said he’s been getting threatening calls demanding he drop out of the election. He’s up in years, Mr. Hendrix, and doesn’t want to do another term as governor anyway, so he’s thinking of dropping.”
“And what about Solange Herbert? She’s lieutenant governor. Is she ready to take his place?”
Corey shook his head. “Victor would have to resign as current governor, and then she could, but I think that’s what Benito Calvern wants. Solange is a great person, but no one knows her and I think he’d easily beat her.”
“Victor doesn’t resign.” Gideon slammed his hand on the table, smashing his cigar against the wood. “That isn’t part of our deal.”
“I think you’ll have to tell him that because from how he was talking, I think he’s gonna do it.”
A couple of years ago, after Gideon took down Lorcan Anders, the guy who’d tried to take over Northchester and burn Gideon’s kids and nephew alive, he’d made sure Northchester would be what he wanted it to be.
He’d lined the pockets of the chief, commissioner, mayor, governor, lieutenant governor, councilmen, police—you name it.
He didn’t just rule Northchester, he ruled the state.
He was more powerful than anyone in the area.
On top of making them all rich, he also explained what would happen if any of them betrayed him…
spoiler alert, nothing good. Victor wanting to resign would be seen as an act of betrayal in Gideon’s eyes.
“Oh, I will. He’s getting threatening phone calls? I won’t call, I’ll rip him out of his comfy house and beat him to death myself if he thinks he can run from this.”
I watched Corey as his body began to shake in fear. “Sir, I…”
Gideon waved his hand. “Get out. I’ll call you.”
Once Corey left, Gideon looked at me. “Who is Benito Calvern?”
I got up and took the chair Corey had vacated.
“Benito Calvern, forty, comes from old money, in good shape. Known to be charismatic, according to the press. He’s married to former supermodel Monica Calvern, who used to be Monica Reed.
Has two kids: a son, Briar, age twelve; and a daughter, Lucia, age ten.
He was born in New Mexico and moved here ten years ago. ”
“Wait. He’s been here ten years, and obviously he’s an elector if he’s running for office. How do I not know this man?”
I shrugged. “You can’t know everybody, Gid. Come on. He’s very rich and influential. Just doesn’t seem to mingle in the same circles as you.”
Gideon ran his fingers through his hair. “We have to find out who is sending Victor threatening phone calls. My guess is, this Benito Calvern is behind it.”
I smiled and placed the tablet on the desk. “I can talk to Toni about it and see if he can find out. But, for now, we need to get ready for Alex’s engagement party, which you offered your home for.”
Alex had met Mila last year when he’d bumped into her and spilled his lemonade all over her white dress. She’d sworn up and down at him. I remembered watching the scene play out, because I’d been with him. The whole time she’d yelled, he’d grinned. That was it; he was ensnared.
He’d proposed to her two months ago, and Gideon had offered his home for an engagement party. Since it was summer, we had tents and everything set up outside.
Gideon growled. “Fuck.”
I stood and held out my hand. “If we go now, I’ll blow you in the shower.”
Gideon was up and moving, dragging me behind him.
Mila Popov was a petite, beautiful woman with brown wavy hair that stopped at her waist and eyes the same color. Her smile was huge as she clung to Alex’s arm and greeted everyone who entered.
All of Gideon’s people were there, some of Alex’s family—though he wasn’t very close to them—and Mila’s friends and family. There were a lot of people but Gideon had enough space to accommodate everyone easily.
“Penny?”
I peered down to find Owen squinting up at me. “Yeah, little man?”
“I’m hot.”
I chuckled and kneeled to be at his level. “It is summer, with that comes heat.”
“Are you hot?”
“I’m a little warm.”
Owen reached for my hand, which I freely gave. “You put on sunscreen? You have to, Penny, or the sun will burn you and you won’t know.”
My heart warmed at his worry. “I’m wearing it, and I set a timer on my phone to remind me to reapply.”
He nodded curtly. “Can we go swimming?”
The pool was insane. Huge, with a waterfall and a slide. No one was swimming, and I didn’t think this was the type of party where people would be doing that. Large fans were spread out, sending a nice breeze across the lawn, but Owen was super sweaty.
“Let me go get my suit on, and I’ll go with you. Ask Olivia and Matteo if they want to go.” I shot him a wink, and he ran off happily while I went to find Gideon.
He was talking to Mila’s parents under the tent near a fan. He was probably hot, too. “Hey.”
He beamed. “Penn, you remember Aleksei and Polina, Mila’s parents?”
“I do, nice to see you again.” Aleksei and I shook hands, and Polina kissed my cheek. “I didn’t mean to interrupt your conversation, but the children are melting, so I was going to go into the pool with them, if that’s all right?”
“Yeah, I think that’s fine. I’m surprised they lasted this long before asking.” Gideon gave me a chaste kiss. “Go get cool.”
I wasn’t upset that I wasn’t going to be involved in what Livy called grown-up talk. I’d much rather play Marco Polo with the kids.
I went to get my suit on and by the time I got to the pool, there were three very excited kids waiting. I laughed and shouted, “Cannonball!” and jumped in.