Chapter 21
Chapter Twenty-One
Paige
While Parker was in the shower, I crouched near the back wall of his walk-in closet, the tape measure sprawled between my fingers.
I studied the number, pulled the tape back, and wrote the measurement in my small black notebook.
I heard Parker clear his throat from behind.
Turning my head, he leaned against the doorframe, arms crossed, with a smile.
“What are you doing?” he asked.
“Measuring for storage.”
“I have plenty of storage. Look around.”
“Not your typical storage, Parker.” She smirked.
“Oh.” His brows furrowed. “You know. Most people who move in with someone bring throw pillows and blankets.”
“Throw pillows don’t neutralize threats, Hamilton.”
“Fair point, sweetheart.”
“I’m thinking reinforced steel paneling here,” I said. “With a hidden hinge system and magnetic lock with a biometric override.”
“In my closet?” His brow raised.
“Our closet.” I smiled. “I need a place to store my things.”
“You mean you need a place to store everything that looks like it belongs to a small private military contractor?”
“Yep.” She popped her lips. “Nobody will ever know it exists. The lock will be fingerprint and palm recognition. Wait. Maybe retinal scan.”
Parker sighed. “I suppose this is what happens when you date a woman who carries around tactical gear everywhere she goes.”
“You don’t have to like it, Parker. In fact, once it’s installed, you’ll never have to think about it again. But it’s a part of my life. My security.”
He stepped closer and placed his hands on my hips.
“I’m a lawyer, Paige. Risk assessment is literally part of my profession. And loving you means understanding that your version of security looks different than most people’s, including mine.”
“So, you’re okay with it?” I asked.
“I’m okay with anything that keeps you safe. But only on one condition.”
“And what is your condition?”
“You’re installing hidden armory in our closet. I want to see the final design before construction even begins.”
“Are you a control freak?” My head cocked.
“Somewhat. But not in this situation. It’s more out of curiosity.”
“Fine.” I smiled.
“I’ll call Shaun Kind when I get to the office.”
“Why?” My brows furrowed.
“It’s what he does. Wait. I’m not sure he can do what you want. I’ll give him a call and ask.”
“To be honest, I don’t want anyone but us to know about it. Gabriel will send his team to install it.”
“Okay. If you say so, sweetheart.”
“I love you, but I have to pee.” I began to walk away, and he called my name.
“Paige?”
“Yeah?” I turned.
“Next time you want to redesign part of the house, maybe warn me before you turn anything else into a CIA storage unit.” He winked.
“It’s not a CIA storage unit,” I said.
“No?” He cocked his head.
“It’s better organized.” I winked and went into the bathroom.
Parker
“I just got off the phone with Julian,” I said to Paige as she walked into the kitchen.
“How’s the baby?”
“She’s good.”
“And Laurel?”
“She’s good too. I told him we’ll swing by the hospital tonight. Laurel’s blood pressure is a little high, so they want to keep her another night.”
“So you told Julian I was back?”
“Of course I did. I have to get to the office.” I kissed her lips. “I’ll see you later. I love you.”
“I love you, too.”
I climbed into my car and headed to the office.
A feeling washed over me that I couldn’t explain.
Paige was home, with me, right where she belonged.
My world was changing in ways I never thought possible.
For the first time since I graduated from high school, I didn’t feel like my work was the most important part of my life.
The firm still mattered. The cases still mattered.
My clients still mattered. But they no longer defined my world.
Waking up next to Paige in the morning was my world.
Her smile. The way her arm wrapped around me as we lay in bed.
Those were the moments that defined my world and my existence.
I always strived to be the best and waited for the next achievement to make my life feel complete.
But somehow, it had already become complete the moment Paige walked back into it.
My phone rang, and Roman was calling.
“What’s up, bro?”
“You motherfucker,” he said.
“What?”
“You couldn’t tell me that Paige is back? What the fuck, bro? Seriously.”
“I didn’t have a chance last night. We were a little busy. And I only told Julian because he called earlier. I was going to tell you this morning.”
“Well, I’m already here, waiting for you to tell me everything. So, when you get here, grab a coffee and get your ass in my office.”
“Will do, bro.” I chuckled.
When I reached The Hamilton Group, I poured a cup of coffee and went to Roman’s office.
“It’s about fucking time.” He stepped from behind his desk and hugged me. “Look at you. You’re glowing.”
“Shut the fuck up.” I laughed.
“So, how did it go? I want details. Leave nothing out.” He pointed at me as he sat behind his desk.
“I told her I loved her.”
“Stop it. You did not. My brother doesn’t say such things.”
“I did.” I chuckled. “She told me she loves me too.”
“Does this mean what I think it means?” he asked.
“Yeah. We’re officially a couple, and she moved in.”
“I’m happy for you, Parker. Damn.” He smiled, shaking his head. “It’s good to have my brother back.”
“It’s good to be back.” I grinned.
“What about her work? Is she still going to do what she does?”
“We haven’t talked about that yet. But if she chooses to, there’s nothing I can do. I promised her I would love her unconditionally, no matter what. She’s not the type of woman to sit around and do nothing. They turned her into a weapon. It’s all she knows.”
“Maybe send her to talk to Charlotte Kind.”
“I was thinking about that. She’s worried about the family.”
“Why?” Roman’s brows furrowed.
“She’s not used to families, and they freak her out. I was thinking maybe Charlotte could help her with that. But I can’t just ask Paige to go see her. She’ll think I’m trying to change her or something, which I’m not. I just want to help her adjust to our world.”
“Maybe go talk to Charlotte yourself. Have Conner and her over for dinner one night and leave them to talk.”
“That’s a good idea. Thanks, bro.” I grinned. Glancing at my watch, I had a meeting with the district attorney about one of my clients in ten minutes. “The DA will be here soon. I’ll talk to you later.”
I was in my office going over my case when my secretary popped her head in. “District Attorney Reynolds is in conference room two.”
“Thanks. I’ll be down in a minute.”
Closing the folder, I tucked it under my arm, grabbed my coffee, and walked into the conference room.
“John.” I nodded, taking a seat across from him.
“Parker.” He slid a file folder across the table. “Two years. Plead guilty to aggravated assault, and we’ll recommend a reduced sentence.”
I didn’t open the file. Leaning back in my chair, I placed my hands behind my head.
“Two years?” My brow raised.
“Your client is lucky to get this deal. It normally carries a sentence of up to ten years.”
I opened the folder and quickly skimmed the document inside. “This isn’t a deal, John.”
“I’d say it’s a generous offer,” he said.
“For someone who committed the crime. Which my client didn’t.”
“From where I sit, the evidence isn’t looking good for your client.”
“You mean the evidence you fabricated?”
“Be careful where you’re going with that, Parker.” He pointed at me. “There’s a witness.”
“Oh, right. The witness who suddenly remembered every detail two weeks later. And after being interviewed by your investigators three separate times.”
“If you’re suggesting misconduct on our part, I will not tolerate it.”
“I’m not implying misconduct, John. I’m only saying that your case heavily relies on testimony that won’t hold up under cross-examination. You want my client to plead guilty to something he didn’t do so your office can quickly close the case.”
“Oh, come on, Parker. That’s not how this works.”
“That’s exactly how it works when the prosecution knows its evidence is weak.” I pointed at him.
“If you take this to trial, the jury will hear that your client was present at the scene, that he had motive, and that a witness placed him there during the assault.”
“And the jury will also hear that your witness changed his statement three times,” I said. “My client isn’t accepting this deal.” I pushed the folder across the table.”
“You haven’t even presented it to him.”
“It doesn’t matter. He gave me permission to turn down anything I didn’t think was fair. My client is innocent. I’ll prove it, and once again, your office will be the laughingstock of the courtroom.”
He sat across from me, shaking his head. “You really want to do this?”
“Do what? Make sure another innocent man doesn’t go to prison because the people of the state are too focused on the number of convictions they need to fill every month?
” I stood from my chair. “If you’re going to bring that witness to trial, I’d recommend reviewing his financial records first. I’ll see you in court. ” I walked out of the conference room.