Page 56 of Consequences

The fellow blonde daughter’s eyes widen as her expression changes from anger to shock. “Why would Donald Ramsey be involved in this?”

“I take it you know of him.”

“Oh my God, please tell me his wasn’t the house Brock and Beckett broke into. For the love of God, please tell me…”

“I would… but I don’t think lying to you right now would be—”

“Fuck!” she shouts and runs her hands over her hair. It’s the only time anyone has ever seen the professional side of her slip while she’s in lawyer-mode. “Okay, I can… I can try and work this. Um, I might be able to get to the prosecutor. He’s newer and just moved here, so Ramsey probably has nothing on him yet. The judges, though… That’s where I’m likely to fail.”

Colt looks at Lex before clapping to get Lily’s attention. “Care to fill the rest of us in on what the hell it is that’s going on?”

“Donald Ramsey owns most of the state.”

“So does Summer’s family.”

Shaking her head, she lets out a loud sigh. “Not like Ramsey. Ramsey ownspeople. That’s his business. Think Hoover in the fifties and sixties. Which explains now why I can’t get in to talk to them. We’re stonewalled.”

“What does this mean?” Summer asks.

Biting her lip, Lily gives her a sad look. “It means I doubt they’ll see the inside of a courtroom for years if I can’t figure out a way around him.”

Assuming they live that long.Lex knows it’s the truth, but no one has the heart to tell it to Summer. The look on her face shows that she knows even if she doesn’t want to admit it, though.

“Why the hell didn’t he listen when Dad told him to stay away?” Summer says, her legs giving way.

Lex quickly moves to catch her, and Felicity helps guide her to the chair. Shaking her head at Colt as he opens him mouth, Lex looks back at Summer. “We’ll figure something out.”

“You don’t understand how far his reach is. Not even my dad can help. He’s going to die on the inside, isn’t he?”

“First thing we gotta do is get them protection,” Jennings says. “We’re not letting him die in there. Him or Beckett. I have a few favors I can call in.”

“Shannon, you have to stay here. Without Beckett around, you’re not safe. We can’t let this asshole have youandlock them up forever. He doesn’t get to win,” Colt says.

“I never should have told Beckett,” Shannon says, tears filling her eyes. “This is all my fault.”

When she stands, Lex jumps up in concern. “Where are you going?”

“Beckett’s apartment. It’ll be easier for you to figure out what you think you can do without me here to offend.”

“She has a point,” Colt says. “Summer, go get Marie and spend time together at home. We’ll figure this out, but it’s best if you’re not here. We love you, but you’ll distract us.”

“Keep me in the loop?” she asks as she walks to the door. “Even if it’s bad, I need to know, Colt.”

He nods. “Of course.” Once she’s gone, he looks at his wife. “Speak.”

If the situation wasn’t so dire, she’d snap back at him that she’s not a damned dog. Instead, she relays what Summer told her, and he looks ready to punch someone.

“Remind me again why I thought being President would be a good idea?”

“Because you expected people not to lose their goddamned minds and go rogue?” she offers with a shrug. “Grayson might be able to help us. If we can get something on him, maybe we can work out a deal.”

Lily nods. “We better figure out something because what I didn’t want to say in front of Summer and Shannon is that they’re likely not even on the books.”

“What does that mean?” Colt asks.

“It means that there’s likely no record of them being in the prison. If there’s a fire, and they died, no one would know because by all accounts, they’re not within those walls. Major strings are being pulled.”

Venom cracks his neck with Cinder under his arm. “Say the word, and I can make this whole thing disappear. Quiet or loud, I’m good with either.”

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