Page 73 of Scorched King

“Go,” she said softly, pushing me toward the door. “The faster you handle business, the faster you can come back to me. I’ve grown accustomed to morning orgasms, you know.”

I grinned, already counting the minutes until I could return. “Yes ma’am.”

As I walked out that door, I knew one thing for certain. I might be the President of this club, but that woman in there? She owned my soul. And I wouldn’t have it any other way.

Bear

I shifted my weight from foot to foot outside JD’s cabin, the folder in my hand feeling heavier by the second. The notebooks we’d found in Cash’s shit had kept me up all night, and what I’d pieced together wasn’t good.

Through the door, I heard low murmurs and what sounded suspiciously like two people on the verge of sex. My face heated. I was glad the Prez and Sasha had finally gotten their shit together. They both deserved some?—

The door suddenly swung open and JD stepped out, his expression softer than usual despite trying to look stern. “This better be important.”

“Found something in Cash’s storage unit that you need to see.” I held up the folder. “Tel and I spent half the night going through his chicken scratch and I think we found something.”

JD’s jaw tightened as he took the folder. “Inside.”

I followed him to his office, noticing how much the cabin had transformed in such a short time. It felt different with Sasha’s presence, warmer somehow. Jeanne’s medical bag sat by the couch, reminding me I needed to check with her later about Sasha’s recovery progress. Not that I’d admit to anyone how much I looked forward to those conversations.

“What am I looking at?” JD spread the papers across his desk.

“There’s notes in there that go back at least ten years.” There were photos of club members, their families. Detailed information about routines, weaknesses, and pressure points. “We don’t think he was just gathering intel for Mazzeo,” I said quietly. “Looks like he was building insurance. Against all of us.”

“Fuck. How many people know about this?”

“That’s the thing.” I met JD’s gaze. “According to those notes, there were three people who might have gotten it. He was building a dead man’s switch, but we aren’t sure if he ever followed through on it.”

“This is not good.”

“No, it’s not. And this guy.” I pointed to a grainy photo. “He shows up in Cash’s notes repeatedly. Not sure he’s Mazzeo like we thought.”

JD went still. “Excuse me?”

“I could be wrong. But?—"

“Are you telling me we killed the wrong guy?” The low timber of my president’s voice made the hairs on the back of my neck stand on end.

“Cash was unstable at the end, could be nothing but paranoid ramblings. But…” I tapped the photo. “Tel’s running facial recognition. Something about this doesn’t add up.”

“Fuck.” JD ran a hand through his hair. “This is not happening.” He slammed his fist down on the desk and everything sitting there jumped. “Mother fucker just won’t die.”

“Could be another player we weren’t aware of.”

JD glared up at me. “We need to find out. You let Tel know, I want answers. Whatever it takes. For now, this stays between us.”

I nodded, watching him study the photo. Whatever was coming, at least the Prez had his head on straight now. Having Sasha by his side had done that much.

“And Bear?” JD looked up. “Tell Jeanne to keep a close eye on Sasha’s recovery. I want weekly reports.”

“Sure thing, Prez.” I kept my face neutral, ignoring how my pulse jumped at the thought of seeing our new medic on the regular. Even if that was a complication I didn’t need right now.

He looked like he wanted to say more, but Sasha appeared in the doorway next to me.

“I need to make a call, baby.” He gathered everything from the file and handed it to me while walking directly to her. “Stay here. I won’t be long.”

Her eyes clouded with concern as she looked between us. “Everything okay?”

“Just club business.” He pressed a kiss to her forehead. “Nothing for you to worry about.”

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