CHAPTER THIRTY-EIGHT
Penn
After Halloween,it was quiet up to the elections. We all watched with glee as Benito’s numbers continued to drop, and apparently Monica got through to her cousin because the commissioner announced that there would be no investigation since he’d spoken with Monica and she was safe and well. I could only imagine how well Benito took that.
As far as the domestic violence, Monica would have to press charges and because that meant facing Benito, she’d rather leave it. It didn’t matter because as soon as the opportunity arose, I knew Gideon was going to make Benito disappear…permanently.
“I’m heading out,” I said.
Gideon walked over and gave me a kiss. “I’d come, but Olivia and Jennifer want me to hear the progress she’s made on the song for Alex and Mila’s wedding.”
I rolled my eyes. “I don’t need you to come with me for my MRI. Honestly, I find these ridiculous but if I don’t do it, Rita will kick my ass.”
He chuckled. “She so would. See you later. Love you.”
“Love you too.”
Toni and Danny were accompanying me to the hospital, which I thought was silly but also understood that it put Gideon’s mind at ease. It was a rather boring affair and even worse in the machine. It took hours, and while I had music in my ears, I hated doing this. It was ridiculous. But I loved Rita and she really wanted me to get this done, so I’d endure.
Finally, once I was finished, the nurse led me to the changing room to get out of my gown and into my clothes. I was just slipping my shirt on when the curtain was pulled back.
“I’m in here.” I turned and came face-to-face with Benito Calvern. “What the fuck.”
He didn’t give me a chance to react. He grabbed me by the throat and slammed me against the wall. Another man stepped in with him and shut the curtain. It was a tight fit, but clearly there was space for us.
“Where is my wife?” Benito growled.
I smirked. “Have you lost her?”
He squeezed tighter, which did nothing but cut off my breathing. I went to grab his hair, but the other man yanked my arm down.
“Don’t fucking play with me. I know Gideon took her; I want to know where she is.”
It was hard to talk, but I managed. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”
“I see.” With his other hand, he punched me in the face. “Every time you don’t answer, I’ll tenderize your face some more.”
I chuckled. “Have at it.” That got me another two, this time hitting my cheek and eye.
I tried to fight back and was able to push off the wall but then the man with Benito pulled my arms behind me, and there wasn’t enough room to kick my legs up.
“You all fucking did this. She has to rescind what she said.”
“Sounds like a marital thing—I try not to get involved in such matters.” I grinned, blood dripping from my lips.
“Boss, we don’t got a lot of time. The nurse will check on him in a minute.”
Benito hit me one more time before he released me. “Tell Gideon if he doesn’t return my family to me, he won’t like what happens next.”
“Dun dun dunnnnnn.” I rolled my eyes. Of course, that earned me a parting punch to the gut. “We done?”
Benito narrowed his eyes and left. I sat on the bench, my head down, trying to catch my breath. Obviously, there was no pain, but he’d cut off my air, so I was trying to calm down.
“Oh, my God! Mr. Garrand!” A nurse rushed in. “What happened?”
I waved her off. “I’m fine, just some visitors.” I looked up at her. “I need to clean up.”
She left and came back with some washcloths and a doctor. Someone must have informed Toni and Danny, because as I was tossing the bloodied towel into the bin they stormed in.
