To solve the equation
\[ -3(4x - 2) + 5x + 4 = -18, \]
we first distribute the \(-3\) across the terms in the parentheses:
\[ -3 \cdot 4x + -3 \cdot (-2) = -12x + 6. \]
Now substitute this back into the equation:
\[ -12x + 6 + 5x + 4 = -18. \]
Next, combine like terms. The \(5x\) and \(-12x\) combine as follows:
\[ -12x + 5x = -7x. \]
And the constants \(6\) and \(4\) combine to give:
\[ 6 + 4 = 10. \]
Putting it all together, we have:
\[ -7x + 10 = -18. \]
Now, isolate \(x\) by first subtracting \(10\) from both sides:
\[ -7x + 10 - 10 = -18 - 10, \]
which simplifies to:
\[ -7x = -28. \]
Next, divide both sides by \(-7\):
\[ x = \frac{-28}{-7} = 4. \]
Thus, the solution is:
\[ \boxed{4}. \]