All the hair at the nape of my neck stands on end. “What?”
Ryder straightens in his chair.
Jessica pops a crouton into her mouth. “I found Congressman Crenshaw’s name on the petition documentation for rezoning, but that makes sense, right? Revival was part of his district. It’s not strange for a congressman to sponsor a project like this.”
Ryder and I look at each other, and I know something is niggling at him, just like it is me.
To Sophie, I ask, “Did you know of his involvement?”
Sophie’s lips dip and her brow furrows. “I’ve been mainly involved in the PR aspect of the project, wining and dining prospective investors, that kind of thing. Also, Shane’s taken over managing the investors and you know how he is.”
That doesn’t surprise me. Maddie’s brother, Shane Donovan, didn’t become the head of one of the most successful commercial real estate companies in Chicago by chance. When it comes to money and his reputation, he’s ruthless.
That thread, that little pull of something, sparks across my nerve endings, sending my instincts into hyperdrive. Almost all crime comes down to three motives: power, revenge, or money.
The river project has money written all over it.
“I can see why the accident wouldn’t have caused any alarm bells to go off or jog any memories,” Jessica interjects. “There was nothing nefarious about his participation. The project is a win for him and his constituents. Why wouldn’t he approve? If it weren’t for the accident, I wouldn’t have done anything but gloss over his name.”
“True.” I look at Ryder. “Is there anything we dug up so far that points in that direction?”
Ryder’s brow furrows as he sorts through all his catalogued intel. “The guy was shady as fuck, but none of his scandals were connected to the project. Doesn’t mean it’s not there, though.”
Crenshaw was using every one of his political connections to line his pockets, but we didn’t find anything specific to Revival. “Can you compile a list of every single name or company, no matter how seemingly insignificant, you find it in those documents?”
She nods. “I can do that.”
I shift my attention to Sophie. “Can you do the same for the investors?”
“I’ll get it to you first thing,” Sophie says.
I scrub my hand over my now-stubbled jaw. “Something doesn’t feel right.”
“Agreed,” Ryder says.
“Have Sadie clear what she needs to so we can start working this angle. When, and if, we have something, we’ll take it to State,” I say to Ryder.
“Done.” Ryder nods.
We fall into a few moments of silence before Jessica waves her hand in front of her face. “Oh my god, you are so hot.”
Ryder groans. “Jess, why?”
Surprised laughter fills my chest as I shake my head at her.
This woman is going to be the death of me.
Chapter 22
Jessica
I cry out as an orgasm crashes through me.
Charlie claps a hand over my mouth to keep me quiet, even though my bed is banging against the wall as he thrusts inside me. I whimper, struggling against his palm as my core tightens around his cock. He moves harder, faster, his pelvis grinding against my clit, setting off another wave of pleasure. He buries his head into my neck and comes deep inside me, chanting my name.
For a fraction of a second, I’m more connected to him than I’ve ever been to anyone. It’s big and scary and everything I’ve ever feared it would be, but the rightness smooths all the edges.
The sense of reverence dissipates like a firework that’s burst and scattered in the sky, leaving behind a tether from my heart to his.