“Why is she so scared? Is it because she’s here without any of Benito’s people?”
Gideon shook his head. “Long sleeves in warm weather, flinching, discolored foundation, huge sunglasses…” He stared at me expectantly.
“Uh…okay, I don’t understand women or their fashion, Gid. I suggested a shirt to Livy the other day, and I got a lecture on patterns and colors that don’t belong with each other.”
He sighed, but there was a small smile on his face. “I’m pretty certain that Benito hits Monica.”
My eyes widened; then I glanced at her again. Now that Gideon mentioned it, it was almost glaring.
“You think she might be willing to help you?”
Gideon chuckled. “I knew you’d get it, and yes. If she’s stuck in that marriage out of fear, or maybe he gives her limited money and access to anything so she can’t run, I very well might be her knight in shining armor.”
“If she went public about his abuse, that would taint his shiny campaign for sure.”
“Mmhmm.” Gideon sipped his drink.
“You all need to sit,” Rita barked at us. “You’re staring—it’s obvious. Go. Shoo!” She shot us a glare and rushed off toward some guests.
“Why is she yelling at us?” Dean said softly because he didn’t want Rita to hear.
“Just do as she says.” Gideon shoved his brother over to a table, where we sat and looked everywhere but at Monica.
“How are you going to broach the subject with Monica? If it goes tits up, you’re fucked.”
Dean smacked me. “Language! There are children here.”
I made a show of checking out the surroundings where exactly zero children were near us. “Uh-huh, right, my bad,” I deadpanned.
“Ass,” he muttered under his breath, to which I lifted a brow at him.
“I’m not sure,” Gideon answered. “But maybe it coming from me might not be a great idea.”
“Who, then?”
I followed his line of sight where Monica was sitting with Mila and laughing, genuinely laughing. Rita stopped by, asked her something, but left the two women.
“You thinking Mila or Rita?” I wondered who’d be best.
“Mila.” Gideon leaned in closer and lowered his voice. “I’ve been watching them, and Monica seems to gravitate to wherever Mila is. Rita I think is too loud and boisterous for Monica where Mila seems calmer, and she appears comfortable with her.”
“You thinking Mila talks to her here?” I wasn’t sure this was a great place or time.
“No. But I want Mila to get her number, befriend her.”
“Gotta be careful, Gid,” Dean warned. “Not sure Benito will be happy if she becomes besties with someone from your side.”
“I think Monica is desperate for a friend all her own. I’ll try to get word to Mila. If she’s not comfortable doing it, that’s fine. I won’t force her to.”
With that, we sat back and watched everyone. Kids laughing and having a great time, adults enjoying some grown-up conversations. I wasn’t sure how this plan of Gideon’s would go, but if he was able pull it off, it could be huge in destroying the pristine image Benito Calvern had been trying to portray to everyone.
During cake Gideonwalked off with Mila and Alex for a while, and I knew they were discussing Mila trying to befriend Monica. I watched Matteo and his friends, especially Briar. He was a quiet kid, shy. I noticed how he was so careful in the way he played, as if someone would snap at him or tell him to stop. Maybe Monica wasn’t the only one who had felt Benito’s ire.
Matteo had two tables overflowing with gifts, and he’d already agreed to open them after his friends left. He didn’t want to unwrap them in front of anyone in case someone got the same gift as someone else or if someone became embarrassed by the gift they’d gotten him. He was a stellar human being.
The party wore on, and Mila spent the majority of her time with Monica. As Rita got the kids settled to watch the movie, Mila and Monica were sitting on a bench under a tree away from everyone else. Maybe she’d actually pull this off. Wouldn’t that be something?
A minute later, Gideon and Alex came over to me. I tilted my chin in the direction of the women. “Seems to be working.”
