Chapter Twenty-Four
MONIQUE
"Raz has to be under a lot of stress," Monique whispered. "I don't want to add to it. It would be selfish of me to do that to him." She swallowed the lump in her throat.
"I firmly believe the one thing that would lighten his load is having you back," Cas told her.
Monique met his gaze. "I'm not so sure about that now."
"Trust me. Not having you is making things ten times harder on him. He can't focus on work because he's too focused on you. You're his biggest distraction."
"How can I possibly distract him? I'm not in his life. He's shut me out completely."
"Exactly. He doesn't realize that not having you in his life is more dangerous than having you in it. He doesn't realize that he has one foot in the family and the other out the door, ready to come hunt you down. He's torn between two worlds and can't fully focus on either. But, with you in his life, he'd finally be free to handle business the way it needs to be handled. With you in his life, he'd be ready to take on not just our family and our enemies, Raz would be ready to take on the world."
"He won't have to do it alone," Monique promised. "I'm willing to help him take on the world. I wouldn't stand back and let him handle this on his own. I want to walk by his side, not behind him."
"Our lifestyle is a dangerous lifestyle," Cas reminded her. "You sure you can handle it and everything that comes with it?"
"There are dangers everywhere. I can walk outside and get hit by a car tomorrow. A plane could crash over my house next week. I could catch a common cold and die this winter. Death is around every corner, but we ignore it because we believe it can't happen to us. Why can't I choose to do the same regarding Raz? Sure, I could die. But I could also live a long and happy life with him. He's worth the risk. Plus, no one can predict the future. Trying to do so will only drive you crazy and make you miss out on what's right in front of you."
Cas smiled. "I was hoping you'd say that. Raz needs you. He knows it. But he's letting fear dictate his actions. You're not afraid to face him head-on. And that's exactly what he needs. He needs someone to show him that he has nothing to fear. He has everything set up to keep you away," Cas told her. "And he's threatened to kill anyone who tries to help you reach him. Me included."
"Damn, that's savage," Toya drawled.
"He's a don now," Cas explained. "He has to be savage. This life is savage, which is why he wants to keep Monique away from it. But she doesn't fear it. It's up to her to show him that she can be savage too. I'm willing to help. But once we start this, we can't stop. Everyone will be assigned their tasks, and we all have to do our jobs, or the mission will fail," Cas explained. "Are you all really ready to kidnap the Cattaneo Don? Will you hold your post and complete your task no matter what happens? You can't get scared and chicken out halfway through. We're either all in or all out. Are you all in?"
Monique swallowed as she stared from Meka to Toya. Toya nodded. Meka nodded. Monique faced Cas. She nodded, too. They were all in.
"Alright. Here's the plan," Cas started.
They spent the next hour formulating a plan to kidnap Orazio Cattaneo, the don of the Cattaneo family and the keeper of Monique Rose’s heart.
***
It was really happening! They were finally planning their kidnapping. Monique couldn't lie; she was starting to get excited. There was something thrilling about it all. She felt like she was living on the edge. She felt like such a... savage .
"Should we get t-shirts made that say, I'm a savage ?" Monique asked her friends.
Toya nodded. "I'm writing that down right now." Toya proceeded to jot down that suggestion in the notebook where she was writing all their ideas.
"I want mine in pink," Meka told Toya. "With black writing."
"Cute," Toya drawled. "You need some pink heels to go with it."
"Oh, yeah," Meka agreed. "And I can get some pink streaks in my hair."
"That sounds cute," Monique told her. "I'll get mine in red, with black writing. I'll pair it with red heels, and I may dye my hair red."
"Love it!" Toya squealed, hand speeding over the page as she wrote it down. "I'll get my writing in gold on a black shirt. I'll pair it with gold heels and get myself a blonde wig. You know what they say, blondes have the most fun."
"Oh, that's going to be cute," Meka told Toya.
Toya looked up to say, "So that's our pre-kidnapping outfit. I can call in a favor to a friend and get these outfits made tomorrow. We can dye our own hair tonight to save time. Now, we need to figure out our game-day outfits. I think they should be all black, considering we'll be in stealth mode. I can run in heels, so I say we wear heels. You can also stab someone with them if the heels are sharp enough. So, they can double as weapons. Just saying."
"I can't run in heels," Meka admitted.
"I can't either," Monique added.
"Neither can I," Cas's deep voice filled the air, pulling their gazes to him.
Wow! Monique had almost forgotten he was there.
"Instead of calling you Caspari," Toya started. "We should call you Casper the friendly ghost because you scared me just now. I thought you went to the bathroom?"
"I did. An hour ago. Since then, I've been sitting here listening to your plan."
"You have?" Toya asked.
Cas nodded.
Meka chuckled. "We got caught up in planning. I admit, I didn't notice your return either."
"I noticed," Cas stated. "Let me see what you've written down so far." Cas reached for the notebook.
Toya handed it to him. "These are just a few of our ideas. Feel free to add any of your own."
Cas nodded as he read over her notes. "You all plan to get outfits made and dye your hair, huh?" They nodded. "And you plan to scope out the scene in heels, huh?"
"Those of us who can run in heels will wear heels," Toya explained. "The rest will wear tennis shoes that match their outfit."
Cas nodded. "And on game day, we'll all wear black outfits that fit our forms and show off our curves."
They all nodded.
Cas continued reading. "So, you plan to throw glitter bombs at Raz's security guards."
"Yes," Meka told him. "Glitter is so hard to come off. And if it gets in your eyes, it can really scratch up your pupils. If they stop to rub their eyes, it's over for them. While they're distracted, we can get in and get Raz."
"Ohhh," Cas drawled. "I never knew glitter could be so dangerous. And it says here that you plan to take Raz to an undisclosed location. Where will that be?"
"We haven't decided yet," Monique told him. "Not my house because his guards know where I live. I'm thinking of renting a cabin in the woods."
"Ohhh. Not a bad idea."
Monique smiled, glad he approved of her idea.
"And you'll restrain him with handcuffs and keep him locked up until he agrees to your demands."
Monique nodded.
"And what will you do when our guards track his phone to his location?" Cas asked.
"Damn," Toya said. "I didn't think about his phone. We'll toss his phone out the window to throw the guards off our trail."
"And what will you do if Raz doesn't realize you're women and decides to fight back before you can handcuff him?"
"I suggest we inject him with some anesthesia," Toya said. "I'm sure you can locate some for us."
"I could," Cas nodded. "But who's going to tote him to the car after you knock him out?"
"We could drag him," Meka suggested.
"We're not dragging him," Monique shot down that idea. "Cas, you can help us load him in the car."
"And for those guards who aren't affected by the glitter, what will you do when they start shooting at you?"
"Shoot back," Toya answered. "I stay strapped."
"Gotcha," Cas mumbled, closing the book and sitting it on the table. "If you all follow this plan, you'll either be caught by the guards before you even begin. Or you'll be killed before you even begin. Or you'll end up hurting yourselves before you even begin. Either way, I don't see any of this working."
Toya folded her arms over her chest and glared at Cas. "Well, since you're the kidnapping expert, you tell us what we need to do. Just so you know, the black stealth outfits must stay in the plan."
Cas sighed. "This isn't a fashion show. This is a kidnapping. Focus more on separating Raz from his guards than your attire."
"So, you want us to go out looking any old kind of way?" Toya asked.
"I want you to succeed. You can't do that in heels."
"In all the movies..." Toya started.
"This isn't a movie. Movies aren't real. In real life, something always goes wrong, and you have to improvise. In real life, kidnapping is dirty business. You'll get bruised, maybe worse. Your clothing will get torn, and you'll risk leaving evidence behind. This isn't a game. This is real. I know you're kidnapping for love. But the security guards' goal isn't to shoot to maim. It's shoot to kill. They'll protect the don at all costs."
A collective sigh sounded around the room.
"I guess," Monique started. "We weren't taking this seriously enough. It sounded fun and exciting. But actually, it's kind of scary."
"Can we convince Orazio's guards to help?" Meka asked.
Cas shook his head. "I wouldn't even try to. Their job is to protect the don. Even though we have no intention of hurting Raz, it's not uncommon for brothers to try to take each other out. My uncle is actually guilty of that. If I suggested a fake kidnapping to the guards, they would treat it as me trying to come after Raz's throne. And that's exactly how they should treat it."
"Well, what the hell are we supposed to do?" Toya asked, the excitement gone from her eyes.
In fact, they were all looking frustrated now. The thrill was officially gone, and they were faced with the cold, hard truth that this kidnapping wouldn't be all fun and games as they'd hoped.
"Stop looking so gloomy, ladies," Cas said while patting Meka's knee. "The mission may be hard, but it's not impossible. I'm sure I can convince Rome to help us. If we can convince Leo to join us, we'll definitely succeed. If Leo doesn't help, then we'll need someone to distract him, or he'll be a problem."
"I don't mean to toot my own horn," Toya drawled. "But toot-toot. I'm good at keeping people preoccupied."
Monique chuckled.
"I think I can provide Mr. Leo with a distraction he'll never forget," Toya continued.
"I thought you wanted to be a part of the actual kidnapping," Monique said.
"I do," Toya agreed. "But I'm willing to take one for the team."
Meka shook her head. "I bet you are willing to take it for the team."
"Stop being nasty," Toya chastised Meka. "But, if I have to do something strange to keep Leo away, I'll do it because I'm a team player."
"Whatever you say, team player," Meka teased. "If Toya is going to keep Leo distracted, what do you need me to do?" Meka asked Cas.
"How's your driving?"
"I'm a great driver," Meka bragged.
"Until she gets road rage," Toya joked.
"That only happened like three times," Meka defended her driving.
"Let's keep you from behind the wheel, love," Cas told her. "You can work with me. Raz has a full schedule. Tonight, he's needed at a family event. Actually, I have to be there in a few hours too. And in two days, he has to be present at a Gala where he'll officially be announced as the head of the Cattaneo organization before all our business partners and constituents. We can't kidnap him before the Gala, or that would make the family look bad and make our enemies believe we're weak and unorganized. We'll kidnap him as he's leaving the Gala. Meka, you'll attend the Gala as my date."
"Yay!" Meka squealed. "I've got to go shopping."
"I'll take you shopping tomorrow, love," Cas told Meka, smiling. "Toya, Leo will also be at the Gala. And he'll stick close to Orazio. I can get you a ticket so you can stick close to Leo and distract him while Rome slips something into Raz's drink. I'll have Rome escort Raz to a private room to rest when Raz starts to feel dizzy. And that's when you come in, Monique."
"What do you need me to do?" Monique asked, ready to know her task.
"I need you to...." Cas paused when his phone chimed. "One moment," Cas told them as he reached into his jacket pocket.
He pulled out his phone and unlocked it. They all watched as he read a text message. Was it Orazio texting him? The mere thought of it being Orazio brought tears to her eyes. She quickly blinked them back. She had to learn to control her emotions better. Crying never solved anything.
"Well, this changes things a bit," Cas stated, frowning at the phone.
Monique, Meka, and Toya all asked Cas a question at the same time.
"Is something wrong with Raz?" Monique asked.
"Do you need to leave to handle family business?" Meka asked at the same time.
"Are they ordering you to kill someone? If so, can I tag along?" Toya asked, her voice blending with theirs, but her question caused them all to glare at her. "What?" Toya asked.
"Nothing is wrong with Raz, per se," Cas stated. "And no, I don't have to leave just yet. Oh, and no, they're not ordering me to kill anyone. But, well, Raz is doing something I never expected him to do."
"What?" The three ladies asked in unison.
Cas sighed. "Leo just messaged me to let me know that Raz plans to bring a date to the Gala."
"What?" Toya and Meka exclaimed before turning their gaze to Monique.
Monique sat there silently, staring at the far wall as she tried to process what she'd just heard. Raz was bringing a date to the Gala. To the place where all his business partners and family members would be.
Orazio was planning to go there hand in hand with another woman. Monique swallowed, trying to rein in her emotions. Then, all of a sudden, she burst out laughing like a complete maniac.
Raz was bringing a date to the Gala. How fucking hilarious! He didn't want to see her, but his crazy ass had the nerve to see another woman. Who the hell did he think he was? Who the hell did he think she was? Monique laughed harder. Both Toya and Meka stared at her with worried expressions.
Cas leaned closer to Meka to whisper, "She's taking this better than I expected."
Meka shook her head. "Don't let that laugh fool you. That's not the laugh of a happy woman. That's the laughter of a woman who is ready to kill someone."
"Damn right, I am!" Monique yelled, laughter gone just as quickly as it started.
"She looks scary now," Cas whispered.
"Be afraid," Meka whispered. "Be very afraid."
"I'm going to kill him," Monique whispered, voice so low and creepy the others could barely hear her.
"What did you say?" Cas asked.
Monique turned her glare Cas's way. "I said, I'm going to kill him. I'm going to kill your brother."
"Wait," Cas started, then went silent when Toya and Meka glared at him. Cas swallowed. "You're right. You should kill him," Cas quickly changed his tune. "He deserves death for what he's done and for what he's planning to do. Right?" Cas said to Meka.
"Hell yes," Meka agreed.
"Fuck him up, Mo," Toya added.
Monique slowly stood up. "Oh, I'm going to fuck him up. Cas, get me a ticket to that event. I'm going also. Orazio Cattaneo needs to be taught a lesson. And he chose the right one to teach him. Come on, Meka and Toya. I need to find a revenge outfit."
"Are we still kidnapping him?" Toya asked.
"Yes. That and so much more," Monique hissed.
Oh, she still planned to kidnap his sorry ass. But she was going to make him suffer before doing so. This would be the last time Orazio played a deadly game like this. Monique would make sure of it. It took a savage to tame a savage.
And she planned to show Orazio Cattaneo that she could be just as savage as he was.