Chapter 11
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gideon
“Are you really going to make me sing?” Dean was full-on whining at his wife.
“I am, and I’m picking the song.”
Dean turned to me, opened his mouth, and froze. His brows dropped, and a frown marred his face.
“What’s wrong?” I realized he was looking at something behind me. When I peered over my shoulder, I saw Penn walking toward me. That wasn’t what had Dean reacting; it was the anger radiating off Penn.
“What’s wrong?” I asked.
“Did someone from security talk to you?”
I shook my head. “A few tried to approach, but I was busy.”
He rolled his eyes. “Next time let them do their job, Gideon.” He was genuinely upset.
“Penn, what’s going on?”
“Benito and Monica Calvern are here; that’s what’s going on.”
“How in the hell?” My gaze darted all around. There were a lot of people, and I couldn’t sift through them all.
“He’s in the food tent, and it turns out he’s good friends with Richard Felthouse, because that’s who gave him his invitation.”
“Fucking Dick!” Richard Felthouse was a weasel, and it shouldn’t have surprised me that he’d have his nose up Benito’s ass.
“Yeah, and he said he was looking forward to meeting you…and you,” He quirked a brow at Rita.
“Me?” Rita snorted. “That man can’t handle me.”
“Mmhmm,” Dean muttered.
“What’s that supposed to mean?” Rita stood akimbo.
“There’s no time for this.” I waved Dean and Rita off. “I’m not making this easy for him. If he thinks I’m going to seek him out, he has no idea who I am at my core.”
Penn shrugged. “I wanted to make sure you knew.”
I pressed a chaste kiss to Penn’s lips. “Thank you.”
“Yep. Okay, I’m going to find the kids and not leave their sides because if that man or his plastic wife try to talk to them, I will kill them.”
I smiled as I watched Penn storm off in search of the kids. The love I had for him burned hotter every day.
“What do you want to do?” Dean asked.
“The show must go on.” I faced Rita. “Get me my microphone, and let me start introducing these horrible acts.”
Rita chuckled and handed me a sparkling silver microphone.
Halfway through the evening, I still hadn’t bumped into Benito. I had a feeling he was playing the same game I was: Neither of us wanted to be the one to approach the other.
The sounds of Dolly Parton’s “9 to 5” began, and I faced the stage, where Mila was holding the microphone. She wasn’t half bad. I was sucked into watching her, and I didn’t hear anyone sidling up beside me.
“She’s good.”
I turned, and sure enough Benito Calvern stood there, hands in his pockets, staring at Alex’s fiancée. Seemed he couldn’t stay away.
“She is.”
His blue eyes were calculating. I knew when I was in the company of a formidable opponent. Lorcan never had that gaze; he was always slightly unhinged, same as his brother. Benito didn’t falter—he showed no sign of fear. He was confident, and I’d be stupid to brush him aside.
“Mr. Hendrix, it’s good to finally meet you. I’m Benito Calvern.” He held out his hand.
I glanced at it briefly before I shook it. “I’m aware of who you are, Mr. Calvern.”
He chuckled. “I’m sure you are.” He tilted his chin toward the stage. “This really is a lovely gala. Very philanthropic of you.”
“I believe in giving back.”
“Mm. It’s important to give back to a community you thrive in.” He gestured to my house. “You clearly are doing well here in Northchester.”
“I am.” I wasn’t going to give this man an inch.
“It’s a beautiful town. As a matter of fact, I’m looking to move here.”
“Is that right?” I glimpsed and saw Danny and Toni closing in on our side, and a slight shake of my head halted them.
“I think you knew that already, though—didn’t you, Mr. Hendrix? It’s why you are trying to outbid me on the Marion Estate.” The corner of his mouth curled. “Are you looking to move three houses away?”
Smiling, I took note that many eyes were on us, but I knew nobody could hear. “Mr. Calvern, I didn’t get to where I am today by not being strategic.”
“Oh, I’m aware, Hendrix. You thrive on being tactical as well.” He pursed his lips, and I let the fact that he’d removed the “mister” go.
“If you know that much, you know why I outbid you.”
His brows shot to his hairline. “Yes, I know what you’re trying to do. You think you understand my motives, and you are playing the chessboard believing you know my moves. You’d be wrong.”
“No, Calvern, I’m not wrong.” Irritation began to poke at me.
He shrugged. “Neither of us is going to back down. We won’t share our secrets, and two powerful pieces can only last together for so long until one is forced to fall.”
“I get it, Calvern. You love chess. I find it to be boring, honestly.” I stepped closer to him.
“Northchester is mine. The end. I get that you want to be governor; you’ve lived in this state for a decade, stayed quiet.
Now you’re ready to play with the big boys.
You’d be wise to stand down, Benito. You have a lot to lose. ”
His eyes narrowed slightly. “So do you, Gideon.” He glanced to my left. I turned and saw Penn, Rita, and the kids watching us.
“Don’t threaten me or my family.”
He chuckled darkly. “For once, I don’t think you know what’s going on. I’m sure you think I’ll get in line and do your bidding like everyone else has.” He shook his head. “That’s not who I am.”
“And who are you?”
He grinned. “Well, as of next month, I’m your neighbor. My bid on the Marion Estate went through a few hours go.”
I tried to hide my anger. The real estate agent had promised not to let Benito make the final bid. “You’re a fool.”
He laughed rather loudly. “No, Gideon, I’m your match.
” He inched closer, his eyes never leaving mine.
“I’m not some peewee player like Lorcan Anders or his brother.
While you were fighting him, I was watching you.
I know how this ends, and I find it hilarious that you don’t.
” He took a step back. “Oh, one more thing before I go. I heard the new commissioner starts Monday. So sad to hear about Amy’s arrest.” He shrugged. “But them’s the breaks, right?”
I didn’t utter a word. I watched as he walked over to Monica, said something in her ear, and then sauntered out of the gala as though he hadn’t set my patience on fire.