Page 32 of Deadly Scandals

“You’re a SEAL, right? So was Paul. So were his friends. Your friends. You don’t think someone could sneak in here?”

“Of course, someone could. She was probably screwing my whole team. I wouldn’t put it past her. But why would someone want her to overdose? That makes no sense.”

I took his hand and was shocked he didn’t pull away. “Is she a good mother?”

He didn’t respond.

“Mitch, come on. I know you guys didn’t get along. But is she a good mom?”

“Yeah. She loves the kids. They’re her life.”

Exactly. My adrenaline raced. What did April know? I had to tread lightly with Mitch, or he could shut down and kick me out.

“So, she probably wouldn’t overdose with them in your home.” He pursed his lips, and I knew he was deep in thought. Good. “Now will you let me look around? With your permission?”

His pensive look turned into a scowl. “Fuck. Are you serious? It was an overdose. Stop it, Ash. Not everything is like the Joaquín Cruz case. This isn’t a conspiracy. Someone shot Paul because he’s a dick. Probably was double-dipping or going to ruin someone’s career. He had dirt on everyone, including me. He covered my ass a few times when I would’ve tested high.”

Yes. Yes. Yes. This was the information I needed. “Who else did he do that for? What other shady things did he cover up? If you would only tell me, then I could help.”

He clenched his fists. “I’m not going to tell you anything. This is not about you, Ashley. It’s about my kids.”

Dammit. He was right. I was being insensitive. I hated how my tunnel vision sometimes consumed me, but I couldn’t control myself.

But I also couldn’t stop myself. For all I knew, his kids could be in danger. I had to make Mitch see my point.

“I’m sorry. You’re right. But listen to me. We can’t just dismiss this. We don’t know why April overdosed.”

“I’ll tell you why she overdosed. My whore of an ex-wife was fucking Paul. She felt guilty for fucking her best friend’s husband, so she took too many pills. Maybe Dara found out and was going to tell everyone. The only reason we’re here is because of my kids. I’m not going to have you interrogating them and planting crazy ideas in their heads. Got it, cupcake?”

I needed to back off. I needed to back off now. “Yup. Forget I brought it up. I’m sorry, Mitch.” I didn’t need Mitch to believe me. I needed him to trust me so I could crack this case.

We finished our food in silence. Mitch showed me to the downstairs guest bedroom. I sat on the edge of the bed.

“Night, Mitch.”

“Night.” He shut the door.

So much for my second kiss. He probably regretted ever bringing me here.

God, what was I doing? These poor kids.

I remembered waking up in the middle of the night screaming for my mommy. She was usually too drunk to take care of me. I would sleep wrapped around my teddy bear, praying all night that the boogieman wouldn’t take me the way he took my sister.

I finally removed my dress and bra and climbed under the covers wearing nothing but my panties. I knew I wouldn’t be able to sleep. I closed my eyes, trying to remember every interaction I had ever had with Paul. What he had said, what was in his file, who he had talked to, what everyone had said about him.

Just when my mind couldn’t take another moment of overdrive, it drifted to another subject. Mitch. He was sleeping somewhere in this house. What was this tortured man hiding from me? What did he know about Paul’s shady dealings?

I tried to focus on Mitch’s involvement in the case, but my thoughts became distracted as I relived the way his lips felt against mine. The way his huge hand had gripped my ass. The way I’d felt completely safe in his embrace. I closed my eyes and could almost feel his hard cock pressed against my panties. I was desperate to feel him inside of me, despite the rational reasons why fucking Mitch was a supremely bad idea.

I always denied myself pleasure. Every move I made was to advance my career. Didn’t I deserve a mind-blowing orgasm from a fine-as-sin man?

His kids were surely sound asleep. I crept out of the bed put my bra back on and slipped my feet into my heels.

I quietly opened the bedroom door.

Mitch was sitting at the kitchen table, drinking that beer I’d found in the fridge.

The second his eyes caught a glimpse of me in nothing but my bra, panties, and heels, he raced to the door, which he shut behind us, then scooped me up in his arms and threw me down on the bed.

With one hand, he held my wrists above my head. His lips crashed on mine as I writhed under his muscular body, feeling his massive cock teasing me. Years of pent-up frustration and lust exploded inside me as I kissed him back.

“Ash, you’re so fucking sexy. I’m gonna tear you up.”

I couldn’t wait.