Chapter 5
Chapter Five
Parker
My hands were steadily shaking as I pulled out my phone and called Roman first.
“What’s up, bro?” he answered.
“I need you to come over. It’s important.”
“Is everything okay?” he asked.
“No, Roman. Someone tried to kill me tonight.”
“What? I’m on my way.”
I ended the call and dialed Julian.
“Bro, can I call—”
“No, Julian. I need you to come over right now. Roman is on his way.”
“Okay. Give me a second.”
I went over to unlock the door, and Paige stopped me.
“The door stays locked until they get here.” She walked over and stood in front of the door.
I heard the handle turning and then knocking. “Parker, it’s Roman.”
Paige unlocked and opened the door.
“Oh. Hello,” Roman said, staring at her. “Parker, what is—”
“What is so—” Julian walked in. “Hey, you’re the girl from the bar.”
“Roman. Julian. This is Paige. She saved my life tonight.”
“It’s nice to meet you,” she said to them.
“Saved your life how?” Julian said.
“And what did you mean when you said someone tried to kill you?” Roman asked.
“WHAT?” Julian shouted.
“You three need to sit down,” Paige said.
“Listen, lady. I don’t know who you think you—” Julian said.
“Sit down!” Paige’s voice cracked like a whip in the room.
“Okay. Okay.” Julian and Roman took a seat on the couch.
I walked over to the bar and poured each of them a scotch.
“Now that we’re all here, what the hell is going on?” I stared at Paige.
“Your client, Eric Noles, was murdered in his jail cell this morning.”
“I know that,” I said.
“What do you know about Eric?” she asked.
“What do you mean? He was my client. I knew everything about him. He’s an accountant for Adamar Freight Solutions. He was cooking the books for them. The FBI had been watching him for over a year.”
“Why would Adamar Freight want Eric and my brother dead?” Roman asked.
“Do you know what Adamar Freight really is?” She stared at me.
“They’re an import/export business,” I said.
“They’re gun trafficking and selling arms to drug dealers and gangs all over the country, with drop routes to Los Angeles, Detroit, Chicago, Atlanta, and New York City.”
“What?” I stood and tucked my hands into my pants pockets. “Eric never told me that.”
“Well, Elias thinks he did, and now you know too much.” Her brow arched. “You’re a loose end, Parker.”
“Wait a second.” Julian waved his hands. “Someone actually tried to kill you, bro?”
“Yeah. This one,” I pointed at Paige, “had a gun pointed at my back when the two guys with guns approached us.”
“I only did that because I needed your attention fast.” She rolled her eyes.
“What happened to the two men?” Roman asked.
“She kicked their asses until they were unconscious. Then we got the hell out of there.”
“You and my wife would get along very well,” Roman smiled at Paige.
“So now what?” Julian asked.
“I’ll need to protect your brother until I get Elias, who is next on my list.”
Julian’s brows furrowed. “Who are you?”
“That’s exactly what I’ve been asking her,” I sighed.
“How did you know, Paige?” Roman asked. “How did you know they were coming after my brother?”
“I have my sources.”
Julian hugged me. “We’re happy she was around to save you, bro. Fuck. Once the moms hear about this, they’re going to freak.”
“Not a word to them or Dad. Do you understand me?”
“Okay. I won’t say anything.”
After Roman hugged me, they both left. I turned and stared at Paige.
“Now what?” I asked.
“I stay here and keep watch until Elias is caught or dead. But make no mistake, Hamilton. I am not here to sleep in your bed. I’m here to do a job. Last night was a one-time thing.”
“Is this what you meant last night when you told me you were a fixer?”
“Yes.”
“Did you know who I was last night?” I asked.
“No.” She shook her head. “Your picture popped up this morning.”
“What do you mean?” My brows furrowed.
“I’m not getting into specifics with you. I ran a background check on you earlier. You’re a good guy, Parker Hamilton, and you don’t deserve to die.”
“But some people do?” I narrowed my eyes.
“Yes. Bad people. Criminals. People who hurt others for either money or enjoyment. People who are looking to destroy the people of this country.”
“What are you? Some kind of vigilante?”
“I hate that word. Let’s just say I take care of things faster than the FBI or the CIA can.”
I walked over to grab her bag, and she immediately grabbed my hand. “I got it,” she said.
“What’s in there?”
“You shouldn’t ask questions you don’t want to know the answers to,” she said.
“Fine. Follow me.” I headed up the stairs and led her to one of the guestrooms. “You can sleep in here.”
“Thanks. Do you have a security system?”
“Yes.”
“Where’s the keypad?” she asked.
“In the laundry room off the kitchen.”
I followed her downstairs and into the laundry room. She looked at the keypad and shook her head.
“This isn’t good enough. I’ll go tomorrow after I drop you off at work and get what I need for an upgrade.”
“You’re driving me to work?” My brows furrowed.
“Yes. And to and from the courthouse, if necessary. I don’t think you understand the severity of this situation, Parker. They will kill you the first chance they get.”
“I have a friend who is a detective at the LAPD. I’m going to call him.”
“NO!” she shouted. “No cops. Do you really want anyone to get hurt? The moment you make that call, and the cops start talking amongst themselves, Elias will find out. In fact, I can guarantee he has dirty cops on his payroll.”
“I’m going to bed.” I shook my head and went upstairs.
After changing out of my clothes, I pulled on a pair of pajama bottoms and climbed into bed.
I didn’t know what to think. My mind was spinning out of control, and I couldn’t stop it.
I was shaken by the events of tonight. Throwing the covers back, I climbed out of bed, went to Paige’s room, and knocked on the door.
“Come in.”
I opened the door and saw her pulling a tank top over her head, her back to me. Before she could pull it down, I noticed the scars.
“What’s up?” She turned and stared at me.
I stood, frozen. The only reason I didn’t notice her back last night was that it was dark in the bedroom.
“What happened to your back?”
“Nothing.” She walked over to her bag on the bed and pulled out her hairbrush.
“Bullshit, Paige. I saw the scars.”
“Okay? And? That’s what they are, scars.”
“From what?”
“Now, Mr. Hamilton, that isn’t any of your business. What do you need?”
“Nothing.” I walked out and pulled the door shut behind me.