Page 41 of Suspicious

Shrugging, I laugh. “It was a nice distraction from my shit, to be honest. And Alpha, I’m not just your friend. I am your VP. Your right-hand man. You can come to me with absolutely anything, anytime. Not just club business.”

Alpha dips his chin, sitting taller, his hands balling into fists on the table, like he’s getting into serious mode. “I appreciate that. I honestly do, but don’t think I didn’t pick up on what you said. A nice distraction… from what? What’s going on?”

Huffing, the pit of my stomach churning as I remember Bea’s words from only moments before.

“What happened last night?” she whispered, fear clearly etched across her face.

Gritting my teeth, I shake my head, the emotion of it all still too raw. So, I decide to change topics. “I was working in my den on the app, trying to figure shit out. Where the damn hack came from. What is it they want the information for? Anyway, in my search, I found out something interesting.”

Alpha narrows his eyes on me. “I don’t think that is what you need a distraction from, but I am gonna let it pass because I need to know more about this app. But just so you know, Loki, this friendship goes both ways. So when you need to talk about whatever it is that’s eating you up… I’m here.”

Dipping my head, I continue without acknowledging what he’s just said. “So as we know, Bea was marketing the health and wellness app to different places like the women’s correctional facilities, and she’s also been to biker clubs and other places of the like, trying to get people who are not of a ‘higher standing’ to join. Her intentions were that everyone, no matter their place in society, could have health and wellness to help reduce their stress and anxiety and to give them information on improving their day-to-day life.”

Alpha scrunches up his face like he is amused. “And was she gettingmanycriminals on her books?”

“Actually, yeah. A large amount were signing up. It seems she has quite the pitching skills. This is where my investigation into the data breach of her clients has led me to a snag.”

Alpha furrows his brows. “What do you mean?”

“Remember when Montana went to visit his mother in prison, and he said he saw Bea there?”

Alpha widens his eyes in realization. “Bea pitched the app toMontana’s mother’s prison?”

“Yeah, andunfortunately,Montana’s mother has been caught up in the breach. So it’s got me wondering—”

“If Atlas and his crew are responsible for the data breach too?” Alpha follows my line of thought perfectly.

“Exactly, but there’s just one problem… we literally just blew up the only lead we had for any information.”

Alpha folds his bulky arms over his chest, letting out a huff. “It’s a coincidence, for sure. We know Atlas has his gangs inside the prison. I guess it makes sense that if he wanted the information on the other inmates there for some reason, then that would be his way in, for sure. But what I can’t understand is why, especially when he has his women already on the inside who can access this information.”

“Maybe his operation is still running, even without him? Maybe he had a second-in-charge take over his position and is now trying to make it bigger than it previously was?” I question.

Alpha hums under his breath. “Montana won’t like to hear any of this, especially with his mother still behind bars. We need to come up with a plan to see if Atlas’ operation remains active or even if maybe Atlas was merely a lackey and the guy running the show is someone we don’t even know about?”

“Yeah, didn’t even think about that. Now, I do think about how shit went down… Atlas never really did seem like the type of guy to be the leader of anything, even though he claimed to be. Maybe he was just a lackey. In any case, should we bring Montana up here? Tell him what’s going on with his mom’s data?” I ask.

Alpha rubs the back of his neck like he’s uncomfortable. “Fuck! He’s not gonna like this, but yeah. Get him and Haven up here, will you?”

Furrowing my brow, I tilt my head. “Haven? You think you’re gonna need her to protect you from Montana, Pres?” I joke.

He grumbles under his breath. “I think I’m gonna need her expertise in the women’s prison.”

Raising my brow, I stand, making my way to the top of the stairs. Glancing down, I spot Bea sitting, finally having something to soak up all that tequila.

My nostrils flare as I stare straight at her.

But I can’t focus on that situation right now.

I need my attention on the task at hand.

“Haven… Montana. Pres needs you up here.Now,”I call out, making everyone turn to look at me, including Bea.

I ignore her inquisitive gaze as Montana jumps to his feet without hesitation.

Haven groans in annoyance, taking one last bite of her cheeseburger. “That man always calls me when I’m enjoying myself. I swear if my cheeseburger goes cold, Loki, I will hold you personally responsible,” Haven calls out, prompting a chuckle from the rest of the clubroom, while she heads my way.

I take one last look at Bea before heading back in with Alpha, her eyes meeting mine and a lingering look lasting between us. There’s a new kind of unease forming between us now. I avert my gaze, a hollow feeling forming in the pit of my stomach.

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