Chapter Sixty Nine

Stephen

We spent the evening with Phil so Marci could spend time with the kids and we could all catch up. It felt good to unwind with the boys, our families, Phil, Eddie, Paolo, and Sergio. Just like old times, a drink in one hand, a smoke in the other.

That night, Phil decided that Sergio would accompany us back to America to keep an eye on Chad and prevent any more trouble.

Initially, I protested, but Trinity asked me to step back and let them handle it. She felt safer knowing we had extra help to protect our family.

So, for the first time in my life, I did as my wife asked. I stepped back and focused on her and our kids.

But I still had to call Benji and fill him in on our plans.

Stephen - Clint

Clint - Bro, what's up?

Stephen - Can you watch the kids for a bit?

Clint - Yeah, mate. Everything okay?

Stephen - Yeah, I just need to make a phone call before we finalize everything and book tickets. I want Trinity to come with me, keep me grounded, you know?

Clint - A phone call, huh?

He raises his eyebrows at me, curious.

Stephen - Just a phone call, mate. I need to call Benji. If I just show up with Chad after he told us not to, he's likely to lose his shit.

Dave - True, he always had the worst temper out of all of us when he got angry.

I hadn't noticed Dave approaching until he spoke.

Stephen - Yep. Remember that one time in college when -

Clint - Matt Evans!

David - Hahaha, yes!

Mia - Are you guys talking about when Benj lost it at Matty at the rally back in college?

Clint - Hahaha, yeah, baby, you remember?

Mia - How could I forget? Funniest shit I've ever seen. He's like an angry little man when he explodes.

David - Hahaha, with smoke coming out of his ears.

Trinity - What happened?

I notice Trin and Flick looking curious.

Trinity - I've never seen Benj lose his shit. I can't imagine it.

Stephen - He controls it well for this very reason. When he does flip, it's like a blown head gasket, there's no coming back from it.

Mia - Hahaha, blown head gasket. He goes hulk, mate.

David - Hahaha, that's exactly what he does.

Stephen - Ha, yeah, that's pretty accurate.

Felicity - So what happened?

Clint - Matty pissed him off, so Benj stood up, flipped him off the top level of the bleachers to the ground below, then dumped the contents of the trash can on him before throwing the can down at him.

David - If Clint and Stephen hadn't held him back, he would have raced down and kept on pounding him.

Trinity - No! I don't believe it.

Mia - For real, he completely lost his shit.

Stephen - Anyway, speaking of him, let's go get this over with so he can give me an earful and be done with it.

Clint - All good, mate. I'll roll one for when you get back.

Philippe - Just let him know Sergio is coming with you. That should at least put his mind at ease a bit.

Stephen - Yeah, thanks, Phil. Will do.

I take Trinity's hand and we head inside for some privacy while I make the call. I'm pretty sure he's not going to be happy about us coming back, but he needs to understand this is our life, our family. We don't want to run or hide anymore. We want to stand and face it, beat them at their own game.

I sit down on the couch and take out my phone, ready to dial. Trinity comes and sits across my lap, gently stroking the nape of my neck.

Trinity - I can see you're stressed, babe. It's okay, we can do this.

I squeeze just above her knee as I lean forward and kiss her quickly as the phone starts to ring.

Benji - Stephen? What's up, mate? Everything okay?

Stephen - Hey, Benji. We're all good. How are you, mate?

Benji - Tired.

Stephen - I can imagine. If I know you, you probably haven't slept much in the last few days or been home to see Maddie.

Benji - I go home and shower and change each day. That counts, right?

Stephen - That's not right, mate.

Benji - Anyway, what can I do for you?

Stephen - Are you sitting down and caffeinated?

Benji - I'm caffeinated, and I'm not going to sit down when you start a sentence like that because I know it'll wreak havoc on my knees when I have to jump up and yell at you for being stupid.

Trinity bursts out laughing, slapping her hand over her mouth to try and contain it, but it's too late.

Benji - Hahaha, Hi, Trin.

Trinity - Sorry, haha. Hi, Benji.

Stephen - You two okay there, making fun of me? Should I give you a minute?

Trinity - Sure, and you can check your attitude while you're at it.

Stephen - Yes, Boss.

Benji - Hahaha, okay, so we've established I'm caffeinated and not going to sit down. What can I help you with?

I raise my eyebrows at Trinity, implying here goes nothing, and take a deep breath.

Stephen - We'll be back in America in two days.

Benji - You fucking what!!!

Trinity - Benji, please, can you just hear us out first?

Benji - Hear you out! Do you guys realize how serious this situation is and the potential danger we're all facing?

Trinity - We do, Benji. We just don't want to feel like we're running anymore.

Benji - So what's happening then? I want to know everything before you get on that plane, because if I don't like it, you're staying put or you can find yourself a new fucking lawyer.

Stephen - Okay, I'll accept that.

Benji - You have no choice. I'm being deadly serious here.

Stephen - Okay.

Benji - What is it then?

Stephen - We're all flying back tomorrow. Sergio is coming with us.

Benji - Yeah? I feel a bit better knowing he'll be there.

Stephen - I knew you would. Anyway, Chad will be coming too.

Benji - Holy fuck! How did you manage that?

Stephen - I didn't. Trinity did.

Benji - Impressive.

Stephen - That's an understatement.

Benji - It was poke her eye out material, wasn't it?

Stephen - Hahaha, yeah. All of us.

Benji - Damn, can't believe I missed it.

I see Trinity looking at me, confused. I put the phone on mute for a quick second.

Stephen - He means we all got a hard-on and could have poked our eye out we were that stiff.

I quickly unmute the call and watch as her jaw drops in surprise.

“Benji!” Trinity exclaims. “Do you kiss your mother with that mouth? I am a wife and mother.”

The cheeky guy tries to cover his laughter with a cough.

“Milf,” Benji retorts.

“Oh, I’m sorry, did you say Maddie?” Trinity asks, feigning confusion.

Stephen bursts into laughter. “Hahahahahaha.”

“Damn, when did your wife get so much sass? I like it,” Benji comments.

“Little momma’s the boss now,” Stephen replies, chuckling.

“Anyway, stop fucking distracting me. This plan—come on, let’s have it,” Benji demands, getting back to business.

“I basically told Chad he’s going back to work,” Trinity reveals.

“Meaning?” Benji asks, seeking clarification.

“How would the police chief feel about a little sting operation to catch some crooked cops?” Trinity proposes.