“Yes, you did. We all did.”
Ramon was surprised the guy didn’t grab him and try to force him into the ballroom. “You know they have Maizie?”
Hollace nodded. “None of us are happy about that, but if we want to resolve this situation, we have to keep playing this out. It’ll work.”
“You think I care about your plan.”
“Someone has to vote on Kenna’s behalf. You’re the one here that’s closest to her.”
“That’s not true, is it?” Ramon pointed out. “If they have Maizie, then they have Kenna and Jax’s daughter. You think they’re going to measure my vote against hers and argue it holds more weight?”
Hollace swore under his breath. “I’ll tell Bear.”
More people streamed up the escalator, stepping off and moving past them like they were excited to attend the wedding. Then again, it wasn’t every day that the president of the United States got married. Sitting presidents were usually already married, and since this was the first single and female president, it should be a big deal.
But the whole thing was being kept hush-hush.
When Bear stepped off, he asked, “What is it, Hollace?”
Ramon gave the guy a second to tell his boss what they’d come up with and held out his hand for Preston. “Hey. Thanks for coming.” He sounded like an usher or groomsman.
Preston nodded. “We’ll get her back to Kenna.”
Stairns said, “Ramon.”
To his surprise, the other older man opened his arms and gave Ramon a hug. “Good to see you.”
Ramon cleared his throat. “I appreciate you coming.”
Preston’s attention shifted over Ramon’s shoulder. “Amara is headed this way.”
Ramon turned and saw both her and Bruce rushing out of the ballroom. When they got close enough, Amara said, “She’s in there. They’ve got her standing up in the wedding party.”
Ramon wound between all of them and skirted people going into the ballroom, about to elbow a guy out of the way if he didn’t walk faster. He stepped into the room full of cream-colored fabric chairs. Hanging chandeliers brightly lit with a soft yellow glow, and cream walls that looked like they’d been wallpapered with fabric.
She stood at the far end of the room.
Stairns almost collided with him, coming in so fast to see her.
Maizie’s hair was loose and long, curled over her shoulders. She wore a white dress no better than a nightgown and stood on the stage at the front beside another woman Ramon didn’t know. Both of them held small bouquets of flowers.
What on earth?
He clipped a woman’s shoulder but didn’t stop, moving fast down the aisle. Aware of men moving in from both sides like bodyguards going to intercept. The groom and another guy to the right, watching him.
Maizie’s eyes widened at the sight of him tearing down the aisle to get to her. She shook her head, and he saw her mouth the wordDon’t.
Ramon heard a muffled pop, and two barbs hit his chest.
White-hot lightning whipped through his entire body like a flash. His legs crumpled under him, and he heard Maizie scream his name.
Face to the carpet, his body twitched through the effects of the stun gun until every last bit of electricity dissipated.
Someone rolled him to his back. “What are we going to do with this one?”
“Sit him in a seat with everyone else.” The governor of Illinois stepped over Ramon.
He wanted to grab the guy’s foot but couldn’t move.
