Page 63 of Consequences

“What the hell is going on, Lily?” Brock asks. “Why’d we skip the arraignment? And why is this the first time in a week we’re talking to you?”

“Because you two idiots went off on your own and pissed off a man your father-in-law warned you about,” she snaps at him.“I’m doing everything I can, but Ramsey owns fucking everyone. What were you two thinking?”

Looking at Brock’s pale face, it finally registers with Beckett just how fucked they are. “What are you saying, Lily? Explain it to me like I’m five.”

“Okay, I worked with the DA because he’s new, and Ramsey hasn’t been able to get anything on him yet. We worked out a plea deal, but Ramsey owns the judge. It was denied before we could get a date on the docket.”

“So, when’s the trial then?” Brock asks.

Licking her lips, she shakes her head. “There’s no date set. Jennings called in favors to get you protection inside because we don’t know what Ramsey’s plan is for the two of you yet. But there’s a solid chance that he’s… That he’s planning to have you both die in here.”

“What?” Beckett asks, nearly jumping from his seat. Guilt washes over him like a tidal wave at getting Brock pulled into this now.

“I got a trial date on the docket after a loud hissy-fit, but it was canceled with a note that it would need to be rescheduled by the time I got back to my office. No one I come across will go up against this guy.”

Brock leans back and lets out a long breath. “So… what you’re saying is that we’re fucked.”

“Right now, yeah. Brock, you know better than to do something like this without the club. Seriously, this was the dumbest decision you could have made. I mean… besides breaking into the house of the most powerful man in the state.”

The guilt keeps Beckett from being able to look at Brock. He’s not really even part of this. He’s just collateral damage, and it’s something Beckett’s never been good at accepting.

“Brock wanted to take it to the club, but I wanted to do this quietly. It’s on me, Lily. Please make sure they know that. And if Ramsey wants to fuck someone, put it all on me.”

“How’s Summer?” Brock asks. “How’s she holding up?”

Shaking her head, she looks at the table. “Scared. Pissed. Terrified. Worried her husband will never get to see their daughter grow up.”

More guilt, and it’s worse when Brock hangs his head. “Tell her I’m sorry, Lily. I’m sorry, and I love her. And Marie.”

“Time’s up,” Bill barks as he walks into the room.

“I’m conferring with my clients. You can’t just cut it short,” Lily says.

“Yeah? Watch me, lady. Up, you two, or I’m going to make sure you’re permanently sitting.”

Beckett follows Brock’s lead and stands. He’s never been in this situation before unless he counts the time he was kidnapped and held hostage in Iran for two months. Even his captors were friendlier than the guards here.

Lily stands and places her hands on the table. “I’ll do what I can. And I’ll get this guy’s name. He’ll regret this.”

“The hell I will,” Bill barks back but smiles at her. “Unless regret comes in the form of your skirt up around those hips after I’ve shoved my cock between those luscious tits and fucked that mouth.”

The cuffs Beckett’s in saves Bill from lying flat on the ground. Apparently, all of his years of taking orders from assholes hasn’t prepared him to push down his willingness to hurt anyone for disrespecting a woman.

He decides right then that he’ll learn everything he can about Bill, and when he gets out—something he chooses to believe rather than entertain the idea of spending his final days in this hellhole—he will find him. Not only that, he’ll bring Phoenix with him to give this man a taste of what happens when youdisrespect women. Especially Drifter women. And then he’ll make sure Bill ends up sitting permanently.

Rather than being brought back to their cells, the two men find themselves outside in the yard, and Beckett’s internal danger radar goes off.Where the fuck was this when we got ourselves into this mess?

“What are we doing? We haven’t gotten yard time since we were tossed in here without due process.”

“Special accommodations for you two,” Bill says, an evil smile on his face.

Only five men sit in at a table in the yard. They’re waiting for them, and Brock turns his head towards Beckett while never taking his eyes off their enemies. “Two have knives.”

“Not shivs?”

“No, full knives. Must be the favor called in by our buddy.”

What the hell did he get them into? The group stands and advances towards them. Beckett will be damned if he lets anyone kill Brock over his mistake, and he sizes up each of them.

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