“Pompous ass…” I got to the entrance, where Monica Calvern came into view first. She was wearing a soft-pink Chanel sundress with matching sandal heels. Her blond hair was swept in a curly updo, and she was smiling at Benito.
Looking like all of his photo ops with his dark hair combed back, blue eyes sparkling with humor, he was about six foot three and in great shape. He wore a casual suit and if he was sweating at all, he hid it well.
He must have heard us approaching, because he turned my way. “Ahh, great. Mr. Garrand, am I right?”
“You are.”
“I am so sorry for the intrusion. I wasn’t aware my friend would have had to call in advance to inform your staff that me and my wife would be coming in his stead.”
“And who is the friend whose invite you’re holding?” I asked impassively.
He smirked, a knowing glint in his eyes. He and I both knew what this was, but the game had to be played.
“Richard Felthouse.”
Richard was a defense attorney who’d attended a few events Gideon, Dean, and Rita had put on.
“I was able to confirm with Mr. Felthouse that he’d offered the invite to Mr. Calvern,” Gino interjected.
There were strict rules to these events, especially when they were at Gideon’s home. If you couldn’t attend and wanted to pass off your invite you had to inform us in advance as to who was taking your place in order for us to clear them.
Benito held up his hands. “Richard was supposed to call ahead, and he didn’t.”
“No, he did not.” I gritted my teeth.
Gideon would hate that Benito was here, but to turn him away could be a bigger issue. I didn’t want him to be surprised by seeing Benito walking on his property, so I pulled the security guy to the side.
“Interrupt Gideon and let him know what’s going on. I will let Benito in, but I want him watched like a hawk.”
“Yes, sir.” He left, and I faced Benito and his wife.
“Right this way.”
“Ahh good, I was hoping I could finally meet Mr. Hendrix. As well as Rita Hendrix. Her nonprofit is quite successful and a wonderful program for the homeless community.”
I hated his voice on principle, but I shot him a small smile as I guided him over to a tent where food was being served.
“I will have someone from the waitstaff come to you, and you can choose your meal.”
“Fabulous.” Monica beamed. “Thank you.”
I wasn’t sure if I disliked Monica yet, but I was sure I would soon enough. Right now I had to get to Gideon before he got to Benito.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
Gideon
“Areyou 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?”
