Chapter 33
CHAPTER THIRTY-THREE
Gideon
Mila was amazing…an angel or something because two days after her lunch with Monica, she’d gotten her to agree to talk with me.
There was a catch, however. Monica knew that if Benito caught wind that she was talking with me, that she was even considering leaving him, he’d kill her and make it look like an accident.
But she didn’t want to agree to anything until we spoke, so she waited for Benito to leave the state on a fishing trip with some stupid college buddies.
Security likely would be reporting to Benito, so we had her tell them she was going to a girlfriend’s house for drinks.
I gave her an address to one of my more fancier safe houses that was owned by an Angelina Samson, a socialite (a nonexistent one) but if they searched quickly, they would brush it off.
Monica wasn’t a threat to Benito—at least that was what he thought—so her having drinks wouldn’t be a huge deal.
Briar was having a sleepover at Matteo’s. I made a mental note to ask Monica if Benito was aware of who Matteo’s parents were. Her daughter, Lucia, was on a cheerleading overnight, whatever the hell that was.
I was already at the house with Alex, Danny, and Mila. Penn had stayed back with the twins. At the sound of the doorbell, Mila—adorning a blond wig, her makeup done differently in case security was beside Monica—let her in.
“They stayed in the car,” she said as she entered the living room with Monica.
I stood and walked over to Monica with my hand out. “Thank you for agreeing to talk with me.”
Her eyes flicked from my hand to my eyes before shaking it. “Mila said you can protect me and my kids.”
I nodded and led her to the couch. “Mila’s right. I can also help you set up a new life where he will never find or hurt any of you ever again. You’ll never be without my protection.”
She swallowed loudly. “And all I have to do is make a video saying the things he’s done?”
“Monica.” She turned to Mila, who sat beside her and took her hands. “People love you; you’re going to have a lot of support and love thrown your way. I know that’s hard because you’re going to have to let it all go after you do. But—”
“No, Mila. I don’t care about the fame or any of that.
I never have. My mother threw me into modeling, and it was all I’d known forever.
Benito and I met at the end of my career.
He was charming for about two seconds. He’s smart, though.
He had all my finances tied up into his, untouchable to me.
He gives me an allowance, from my own goddamn money!
” She took a breath. “But my kids. He’s cruel to Briar, makes fun of him and recently began taking swats at him.
Lucia, he doesn’t hurt her, but she’s terrified of him. ”
“Monica, I will do everything in my power to keep you safe, give you a fresh start anywhere you want, with round the clock protection.”
She sniffed and nodded. “I know. I’m just terrified.”
“I know. When does he return from his fishing trip?”
“Sunday.”
“That gives us time. You can’t pack your life away, but I will get you everything you need to live and money, you’ll have your life back. Clothes for you and the kids, but here’s what you’re going to do. You’re going to put them in garbage bags.”
She cocked her head. “What, why?”
“You’re going to tell your security they are donation bags. Rita, my sister-in-law, has specific bins that are used for her nonprofit. You’re going to drop the clothes there tomorrow—I’ll give you the address to one. That way if one of Benito’s men insist on going with you, it won’t be suspicious.”
She bit her lip. “That’s really smart.”
“There’s more, and it’s the hardest part in all of this.”
“The getting out?”
“Yeah.”
She sighed. “Lay it on me.”
She was a brave woman; I’d give her that much. “You’re going to take Briar and Lucia out to dinner tomorrow night after they get home. Do you know Harold’s Steakhouse?”
“Yeah, I went there a couple of times.”
“Okay. I know the owner. I don’t tend to eat there often, so it won’t raise any red flags. Just get there, and I’ll take care of the rest.”
“How?”
“I can distract your security. When I do, you and the kids are going to go out the back door, where an SUV will be waiting for you. Just get in the vehicle; that’s it.”
She chuckled nervously. “You make it sound so easy.”
“It’s not,” Mila cut in. “What you’re doing is dangerous but so brave. You’re a great mother, Monica.”
“Mila’s right. I’d have helped you even if I didn’t want to take your husband down.”
She smirked. “You’re nothing like how he paints you.”
“Make no mistake, Monica, I’m a dangerous man. I’m a criminal; he’s not wrong about that. But Northchester, this state, everything around me, I value greatly and will protect it.”
“Thank you, Mr. Hendrix.”
“You can call me Gideon.”
She nodded. “Okay, so tonight I can start packing. The guards don’t come into the house.”
“Are there cameras?”
“Yeah, but like you said, put the things in garbage bags. It’ll look like I’m just getting donation bags together.”
“Right. One more thing. Does Benito know who Matteo’s parents are?”
She shrugged. “I doubt it. He doesn’t ask who Briar’s friends are—he said to me once that Briar would likely never have any friends.”
“For once, I’m glad he’d thought something so cruel.”
I gave Monica a number to a burner phone.
If anyone asked, she’d tell them it was Angela’s number.
I also told her which donation bin location to bring the clothes to.
It was planned. We just had to hope that it would go off without a hitch.
As soon as Monica and her kids were safe, she’d make the video, cataloging everything Benito had ever done to her and the children.
I had a friend, a journalist who would eat this story up and air it right away. Watching Benito’s numbers plummet was going to be like a birthday and Christmas all wrapped into one. Not to mention Monica, Briar, and Lucia would be safe from that dickshit.
Monica waited an hour before she left. Half an hour after she was gone, we vacated the house. We would not be bringing them here since the guards were familiar with it. I had a perfect location for them that they’d hole up in until the fire that would surely blaze died down.
When I went to bed that night, it was with a smile on my face. Benito Calvern’s life was over, and he didn’t even know it yet. This was going to be glorious.