Page 20 of Consequences

“That’s not what happened,” VP says, but there’s no conviction in her father’s tone. Ever since the funeral, he’s been handling Zane with kid gloves again.

Flipping them off, he climbs on his bike and takes off, nearly wiping out at the end of the street.

If only…

“He tried to kill her,” Colt says. “Something needs to be done about your son.”

“He would’ve stopped,” he says. “He would have stopped before he went too far.”

“He wanted to take his daughter on the bike with him when he can’t even walk in a straight line. And that’s the least of the terrible decisions he’s made today. What makes you believe he has any control over anything?” Ky asks.

Her father looks taken aback that he’s being questioned, and Lex just shakes her head. When it comes to her and Zane, VP will always back Zane. He’ll become so delusional that he’ll rewrite history to fit his narrative. Turn a blind eye.

Part of her would defend herself to VP. To point out he’s only a father to one of them, but she’s come to realize lately that it’s no use. He will only ever see Zane in a positive light.

“Yeah, he would’ve stopped,” she says. “When I stopped breathing.”

“Lex—”

“What are you doing here, VP?” she asks. “Just coming because Margaret called?”

It’s been a long while since she called himDad. It’s been back and forth over the years, and she’s back to distancing herself. If he doesn’t want to act like her father then she’s not going to act like his daughter.

“That, and I wanted to give you the good news.”

“What good news?” Ky asks.

He actually smiles like she didn’t almost just die at the hands of his son. “Your mom and me are getting hitched.”

Blinking, she stares at him. Did she really just hear him say that her parents are getting married. “Um… Is your goal in life to make Zane actually explode? He told me ten minutes ago he wished you would’ve killed Mom when she was pregnant with me, so how do you think he’s going to react when you tell him you’re marrying her?”

VP waves a hand in the air. “He was just blowing off some steam. Drunken ramblings.”

“Blowing off some steam…” she says and looks at Colt and Ky. “Yeah, that’s a rose-colored glasses way to see this, I suppose.”

“Ky, you’re going to want to get VP off my fucking property before I make Zane an orphan,” Colt growls. “I’m about thirty seconds away from bashing his face into the concrete of my driveway.”

“Yeah, I gotta admit, leaving’s in your best interest,” Ky says. “Even I want to bash your face into something.”

Looking confused and hurt, VP takes a step back. “I thought you’d be happy for us, Lex.”

“I’m pretty sure I have a concussion and am dreaming this right now. That or he’s gone fully insane,” Lex says. “This is the worst possible time for you and Mom to get married.”

“She’ll be disappointed to hear you said that,” he says and walks to his bike. “Just like I am.”

She snorts, wincing as the pain shoots up her side. “Yeah, that’s me. The disappointment of the family.”

Chapter Seven

Griffin’s Beach

Undertaker

Heading into the deli for lunch, Undertaker’s mouth waters. This is the first place he’s found to get an Italian sub as good as the ones he had while he was living on the east coast. The red wine vinegar and oil atop spiced meats makes his stomach growl in anticipation. The scent of fresh bread wafting through the air only adds to the overall atmosphere of deliciousness.

So damn good.

The man behind the counter knows him and his order, which isn’t a big surprise considering he comes in at least three times a week. Sometimes more. He doesn’t even say a word, and theorder is ready and waiting for him at the till. A large Italian sub and one large drink.

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