Page 12 of Consequences

Kid’s got balls. Fucking the President’s daughter in his driveway.

Lex smiles at him as he walks into the living room while Lucas leaves them alone. He’s the most well-behaved teenager Venom’s ever met.

“Hey, you. Grab a beer from the fridge, and we’ll step out back,” she says.

Doing as she says, he meets her on the back step and sits down next to her. “Lucas is either well-behaved, or he’s scared of me.”

“Both,” she says with a laugh. “Are Gavin and Hailey still getting it on in the car?”

His eyes widen. “You know?”

“Luke thinks he’s protecting his sister, but I’m not stupid.”

“You don’t mind?”

“She’s eighteen. What can I do?”

Of course, she’s a cool mom. “Colt would flip, though?”

“Probably. Before they slip outside, I make sure to call out when to expect Colt home. Gavin may be Ky’s son, but that doesn’t mean he’s safe.” She turns to look at him. “But I don’t think that’s what you’re here to talk about.”

Venom shakes his head. “No.”

“What’s up?”

“Guess who I found working at the bar in the hotel tonight.”

Narrowing her eyes, Lex juts out her chin. “You’re kidding.”

“Nope.”

“You mean behind the bar, right? She’s not part of some fancy escort service now?”

He chuckles. “Yes,behindthe bar.”

“What spurred that?”

Taking a sip, he stares at the swing set lit up by the glow of the moon. “She says she’s not giving up on me. She told me at the funeral that she made a mistake, and until I can say I don’t love her, she’s not going to stop trying.”

“Do you?”

It’s not an accusation. There’s no disdain in her voice as she asks it. “I’m with Cinder.”

“Not what I asked.”

“Lex… I can’t love her and be with another woman.”

Taking a drink of her wine, she smirks. “Except that you are.”

“Lex—”

“You think I haven’t loved Colt since I was fifteen? We didn’t get together for a decade, and I was with other men. Engaged to one, but my heart always belonged to him.”

“I don’t want to be in love with her.”

“Unfortunately, you can’t do much about that.”

He searches her face. “What do I do?”

---