Chapter 9
Chapter Nine
G od must hate me .
Why else would He open up doors for her to get her dream job, then drop Parker dead smack in the middle of her first real assignment? It wasn’t fair. Even more than that, she had to be near the man while he was looking like he had just stepped out of a GQ magazine photo shoot.
Sometime between last night, when he threatened her date, until now, he must have visited the barber shop. His low fade haircut looked fresh and showed off his natural waves, and his mustache and goatee were perfectly groomed.
Chelsey had always been drawn to dark chocolate men, and they didn’t come any finer than Parker Wilcox. The man was beautiful, and he had the body to go with it. He always wore his suits fitted, and they showed off his wide shoulders that tapered to his narrowed waist.
Tonight, though, everything about him was popping, including his muscular biceps pushing against the dark fabric. As her gaze took him in, a deep longing for him burrowed into her and landed dead smack into her chest.
Damn him!
“You can not wear that,” Parker ground out, his words and tone jolting her out of her perusal of him. “This is a security assignment, not some…some party! You shouldn’t be going anyway until you’ve had more training.”
Chelsey stepped further into the kitchen, barely hanging on to her anger. “Clearly you have forgotten that I was once a cop. But why am I even talking to you? You’re not my boss, and in case no one told you, I belong on this detail! ”
His long legs carried him across the room in three steps, and he stopped in front of her. She had opted for dressy wedge-heels since she could run better in them, and they added a few inches to her 5’8” height. Still Parker had a few inches on her. Between his gorgeous eyes that were boring into her, and his enticing woodsy scent, she lost herself in his presence. But then he opened his mouth.
“No one is going to take you seriously if you’re wearing that and claiming to be a security specialist. Every asshole in that place tonight will be pawing at you like you’re their next meal, and what are you going to do? Like you, Laz and I have a job to do, and we won’t be able to keep an eye on you while protecting our client.”
Chelsey gritted her teeth, refusing to let his words turn her into a screaming lunatic. But she was seriously tempted to knock him upside his big head with her handbag. The handbag that held one of her weapons. She had another strapped to her inner thigh with a garter holster that was well hidden but easy to reach.
“Parker, you don’t have to worry about me. Ever . I can take care of myself while also doing my job. So keep your focus on our client and worry about your own damn self.”
She wanted to ask him who was going to keep the lonely women attending the event from grabbing his gorgeous ass. Because no doubt he’d be luring all the honeys his way tonight. The man was too fine for his own good.
“And another thing, why do you even care?” she snapped. She wanted to add that he’d given up any right to anything about her, but she kept that thought to herself.
“Because…” His eyes blazed with anger as his chest heaved. “Because I love you, dammit.” He moved closer. Close enough to kiss, and Chelsey stilled. “And I care because if anything ever happened to you, it would kill me!” he roared and shoved past her before storming out of the room.
Startled by the conviction in his tone, Chelsey stood stunned. Parker had professed his love for her numerous times, but this time was different. The emotion behind the words was different.
She turned to Laz who was standing near the center island, shaking his head. “Exactly what did I just walk in on?” she asked, because Parker’s overreaction seemed a bit over the top.
Laz tossed his paper plate in the trash. “It doesn’t matter. All that matters is that I should be getting hazard pay for dealing with you two nutcases tonight. Let’s go.” He started for the door but stopped and pinned her with a serious look. “Try to go easy on him tonight, okay? He’s not himself.”
“Ya think?” Chelsey said sarcastically as they left the room only to run into her brother, Kenton. She sighed before he could even open his mouth.
“What’s up with our boy?” Kenton asked Laz, but Laz shook his head and kept walking. Then Kenton turned his attention on her.
At 6’4” with broad shoulders and a linebacker build, Kenton Bailey had always been an imposing sight. Today was no different, especially seeing him in a black suit, shirt and tie. His low-cut hair, perfectly trimmed mustache and goatee highlighted his smooth dark skin and had him looking more like a business executive instead of someone who provided personal security. Apparently, he was either returning or going on an assignment this evening, too.
His gaze took her in, and then he frowned. “Egypt said you’d been assigned to a job tonight, but what the hell are you wearing?”
“Hello to you, too,” Chelsey said, holding back what she really wanted to say to her overprotective brother. Instead, she hugged him and kissed his cheek. “I don’t have time to argue with you. Have a good night. I know I will.”
“Chelsey, you should probably change into…”
She ignored whatever else he had to say and headed to the parking lot where the company SUVs were located. As she approached their vehicle, where Parker was holding open the back door, she exhaled. He hadn’t been himself in months. At first, she was ticked off at him for more reasons than one, but now she was a little worried. Not worried enough to ask what was going on with him, but worried nonetheless.
“Thank you,” she said and climbed into the front seat. When he nodded and closed the door, she decided it was time to put on her professional demeanor. She wasn’t going to let him, or Kenton’s concerns get in the way of her doing her job.
As they drove to the client’s home, the three of them discussed the details of the assignment. When the part about her being Jeff Hawkin’s fake date came up, Parker mumbled something under his breath that she couldn’t make out. She could just imagine what he’d said. Probably something about the guy not putting his hands on her, but she ignored him as Laz continued laying out the plan. He and Parker would be there to provide the security for her and her date . She’d only get involved in that aspect if necessary.
Before they arrived at the client’s home located in Buckhead, an affluent suburb of Atlanta, they inserted their earpieces. The devices were designed to be almost undetectable, allowing them to communicate with each other easily.
When they reached the client’s address, Laz drove through the opened gate and a short while later pulled up to the stately brick home. They all climbed out of the vehicle. So that Chelsey could introduce herself to Hawkins as his date, she’d gone to the front door while Parker and Laz stayed at the SUV.
She rang the doorbell and within seconds, the door swung open.
“Good evening, Mr. Hawkins. I’m Chelsey, your date for the evening. Are you ready?”
He wasn’t as old as she had expected. Looking to be in his mid- to late thirties, he had a fair complexion, maybe mixed-race, and had short, dark wavy hair, attractive hazel eyes, and he was clean shaven.
Totally not her type.
“My date, huh? You’re gorgeous,” Hawkins said approvingly. “Mr. Crosby mentioned that the team would be armed. Where’s your weapon?” he asked as his appreciative gaze traveled from the top of her head and did a slow trek down her body.
“I have several weapons, including my hands,” she said, trying not to let her irritation show. “Are you ready to leave?”
He chuckled. “I am.” He offered her his arm as they climbed down the few concrete stairs. She only accepted his assistance because it was time she got into character. Hopefully, he’d be a gentleman the whole evening. Then they won’t have a problem.
They were in the back seat with her sitting behind Laz, giving her a good view of Parker’s profile. He glanced back at her periodically making it hard to breathe the same air as him. No way would she make eye contact and end up flustered for the rest of the evening. It would throw her off her game, and she was trying to prove herself.
Laz’s opinions went a long way when it came to Mason, Hamilton, and even Egypt. If Chelsey could show him that she was willing and ready to be on the Atlanta’s Finest team, she wouldn’t have to take the office position Egypt had hired her for.
But Parker’s words from earlier ping-ponged through her mind. He was worried for her safety like she was often worried for his.
How did they get here?
Months ago, everything had seemed so perfect. They were going to go public with their relationship, she was going to move in with him, and they were going to live happily ever after. Then all of a sudden it was over, and he had crushed her heart.
Even if she allowed him to explain his actions, she couldn’t go back. She couldn’t risk him stomping on her heart and her feelings the way he’d done months ago.
“How’s this supposed to work tonight?” Hawkins asked.
Laz repeated what they’d discussed earlier, explaining that Chelsey would remain at his side throughout the night. If for some reason he needed to have a private conversation with someone, he’d be expected to insist that either he or Parker be nearby since they were his security.
A short while later, they arrived at the historic mansion where the art exhibit and fundraiser was taking place. As they entered through the wrought iron gates, Chelsey took in the magnolia trees that lined the circular driveway. The mansion wasn’t as impressive as the landscaping that included beautiful trees, an abundance of flowers, and a large fountain in the center of the yard.
Even if the outside of the home was understated, she’d seen beautiful pictures of the interior. If nothing else, she was looking forward to touring the mansion. With her arm looped through his, Chelsey walked along side Hawkins as they entered the venue.
Numerous people dressed in formal attire had already arrived and were roaming around the semi-open space. A wide staircase leading to a second floor was one of the first things Chelsey noted. The artwork, abstract expressionism, on the walls stood out thanks to spotlights shining on each piece as they were led to the ballroom. There, she took in stunning chandeliers, a coffered ceiling, crystal sconces, and shiny hardwood floors.
Belly bars covered with tablecloths took up the middle of the floor, and at the far end of the large space were food tables. Servers floated around with trays of drinks and hors d’oeuvres. The artwork in this space was more in line with realism. From what one of the hosts was saying, each room they visited would showcase different types of art.
Hawkins leaned over and whispered in her ear, not knowing that whatever he said to her, the guys would be able to hear also.
“If at any time you want to make this date real, let me know. Or maybe when we leave here, you’ll join me for a nightcap.”
“Thanks, but I’m not interested,” Chelsey said while giving him a smile to soften her words.
He returned the smile. “You might not be interested now, but—”
“If he tries anything with you, he’s a dead man,” Parker growled low in her ear, probably speaking without thinking since Laz was on the coms, too.
Then again, Laz clearly knew that she and Parker had a history. He hadn’t seemed surprised by Parker’s declaration before leaving Supreme.
She just hoped Parker didn’t confront the client the way he’d done with Terrance. That’s all she needed was for word to get back to Mason or Hamilton that they let their personal issues get in the way of them doing their jobs.
Nope. She wouldn’t let that happen. Parker wasn’t going to ruin this for her. Not if he wanted to live to see another day.