Page 3 of Phoenix

“Wait. I need him for just a sec,” a female voice cut in.

A murderous scowl enveloped Maverick’s face as he turned to look at his old lady, Molly. At least he wasn’t directing that glare at me. I liked my head just fine without any bullet holes in it.

“You need who?” he growled.

Molly rolled her eyes and patted his chest over his leather cut. “I didn’t mean it like that.”

His expression didn’t lighten. “Baby, that pretty little ass is gonna be wearing my handprint for days if you don’t tell me what I want to hear.”

She sighed. “Relax, babe. I only need you, Maverick. And you damn well know it. Now, may I speak to Phoenix for a second without you killing him and carrying me off to your cave?”

He crossed his arms over his chest, glowering at her while he lifted his chin toward me.

“Thanks,” she said with an overly sweet smile that had Maverick rolling his eyes this time.

“I know you don’t have much time, but someone here needs to speak with you, and it’s pretty urgent.”

My mouth curved into a frown. I didn’t know what could be so important that it couldn’t wait until after the wedding.

Molly wouldn’t have brought them to me for something trivial, though, so I gestured for her to continue. She turned to speak to someone out in the hall, not stopping as she walked inside. “Come on in. Don’t worry, these guys are all bluster.”

I shot an incredulous look at my VP, who just sighed. Usually, Molly wouldn’t say shit like that. Having grown up the daughter of an MC president, she knew how important it was for us to maintain a ruthless reputation.

Then I spotted the person who followed her, and my breath froze in my lungs.

She was on the taller side, but still at least six inches shorter than my six-foot-two. Despite her slender frame, she had delicate curves in all the right places. A purple T-shirt clung to her chest, and faded jeans hugged her legs like a second skin. Her tits weren’t big, but they were fucking perfect for my hands. And the curve of her hips was just right for holding while I buried myself inside her from behind. Even though I hadn’t gotten a glimpse yet, I had no doubt her ass was just as amazing as the rest of her.

Long red hair tumbled down her back, and soft bangs covered her forehead. The color made her pale skin look creamy and emphasized the adorable sprinkle of freckles over her nose and the apples of her cheeks.

Intelligent green eyes—the color of pine trees in the rain—studied me. Her heart-shaped pink lips pursed, and a flush stained her cheeks. I wasn’t sure if the blush was from the snap of annoyance in her gaze or the heat she was trying to hide.

My body roared to life, surprising me since I couldn’t remember the last time a woman had caught my interest. And I couldn't help feeling a little smug at the obvious signs that she was just as affected by me as I was by her.

“You’re Phoenix?” she asked, in a melodic voice that caused warmth to bloom in my chest.

“Beck,” I replied gruffly.

If Maverick’s and Molly’s stunned expressions were anything to go by, they were just as shocked by my response as I was. We didn’t invite anyone to use our real names…unless it was women we were related to or intended to claim.

“Pardon?” the woman asked, blinking in confusion. “I’m sorry, Molly called you Phoenix, so I assumed…”

“Phoenix is my road name,” I grunted. “You call me Beck.”

“Well,” Maverick said after clearing his throat. “We’ll leave you two to…talk.”

He ended his comment with a grin, and I shot him a withering glance before returning my attention to the woman in front of me.

She watched them leave, then turned her inquisitive eyes back to me. “I’m Lindsay. Um, Lindsay Goss. I volunteer at Juniper Grove. I came to talk to you about the center’s finances.”

I leaned back in my chair, folding my arms, my gaze steady. “Go on.”

She shifted on her feet nervously, then seemed to gather her courage and met my stare head-on. I felt ribbons of pride curling around my heart, and my dick twitched because it was sexy as fuck.

“I think someone’s stealing from you,” she said bluntly. “Sort of. I mean, not you exactly—but from the donations you guys send to the center.” Her green eyes snapped with fire. “I can’t understand how you’ve missed it, unless you’ve suddenly lost all that legendary financial brilliance I’ve heard about.”

My brow lifted, but I didn’t bite. Her sass made me want to smile, but I didn’t want her to think I wasn’t taking her suspicions seriously. “You’ve seen something?”

She put her hands on her hips, her eyes narrowed. “I’ve seen enough. The numbers aren’t adding up. Budgets for programs are supposedly approved, but the supply closets are practically empty. Maintenance work orders are submitted, and the expenses logged, but nothing gets fixed. Field trips are mysteriously canceled—breaking promises made to the children. And don’t even get me started on the state of the pantry!”

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