Chapter 10
Chapter Ten
F rustration pulsed through Parker as he kept close tabs on Hawkins and Chelsey. He was annoyed with himself for being pissed that she was pretending to be the guy’s date. She was doing her job, but she was doing it a little too well. Laughing at his jokes. Touching his arm periodically and smiling up at him like he hung the moon. Anyone looking in from the outside would think they were actually a couple.
The other thing that bugged Parker was Chelsey’s evening gown. He couldn’t stop looking at her in that sexy-ass dress. The front appeared conservative with the high collar that covered her neck and fastened in back. Her toned arms and shoulders were bare while the silky, red material glided over her curvaceous body and showed off her perky breasts and perfectly round butt. The back of the dress was nonexistent, and it was pure torture each time Parker glanced her way and saw all that smooth, dark skin.
All he wanted to do was gather her into his arms, kiss her senseless, and then bury himself deep inside of her.
He shook that last thought free. It wasn’t doing him any good to think about how much he missed her long legs wrapped around his waist while he thrust in and out of her until she screamed his name.
Images of their last time together immediately flooded his mind. He’d made love to her like a man possessed, while burying his nose in the crook of her scented neck. It was like he could still smell the combination of coconut and vanilla mixed with her sweet natural scent and…
Dammit. He had to stop this and focus.
Not just on her, but he also needed to keep eyes on Hawkins. Why the guy actually hired them for this event was a mystery. It wasn’t like this was some type of hip-hop party where things could jump off at any given moment. No, this was a three-hundred-dollars-a-ticket event with top-shelf liquor, amazing finger-food, live music, and an art exhibit. All to raise money for children with special needs.
It didn’t make sense that he needed personal security. It wasn’t like any of the people his company had laid off would be attending an event like this…
Wait . Maybe Jeff was expecting someone to be in attendance who wanted to do him harm. Someone he knew would be there and that same someone who might’ve threatened his life.
Parker straightened as he gazed around at everyone who was near Hawkins, looking for anyone who seemed out of place. That had to be it. He had beef with someone he was expecting to be there. Nothing else made sense. This event was too low-key to be expecting trouble.
As Parker studied the people in their vicinity, no one stood out. Then his attention went back to Chelsey. Every time he stole a glance at her, his heart flipped and knocked against his rib cage. She was his. All he had to do was win her back, especially before some other guy like Terrance tried to get with her.
Watching her now, he hated that she was putting her life in danger, and he didn’t care that she’d once been a cop. It didn’t matter that she could handle herself. He still worried about her.
It had been so long since he cared about someone, he wasn’t sure how to act. The helplessness that he was currently feeling was foreign to him, and now he knew how the other guys on his team felt. They all were protectors by nature, but he always thought they were overprotective when it came to their wives.
Now he understood since Chelsey was a part of him. She meant everything to him, and he hadn’t been kidding when he told her that if anything happened to her, it would kill him.
He just had to make sure nothing ever happened to her.
As he stood near the bar set up in the corner, not too far from Chelsey and Hawkins, an eerie sensation he had experienced earlier in the evening was back. The first time he’d felt it was shortly after they’d arrived.
Now that sensation was stronger, as if someone was watching him. He looked around. There were too many people in the ballroom to determine if anyone was focused on him.
Until now.
To his left was a guy wearing a white dinner jacket and black tuxedo pants. When Parker made eye contact, the man quickly glanced away.
Interesting.
The guy stood out because he was taller than those near him, over six feet tall.
Parker kept his attention on him, predicting that he would look at him again. Sure enough, he did. Parker cataloged everything he could about the man. Mid-forties. Low haircut. Sepia skin tone. His height and build were close to Parker’s.
He didn’t look familiar, but he’d definitely been staring, and now he had Parker’s full attention.
Who the hell is he?
Seeing Laz strolling along the perimeter not far from the man, Parker discreetly pulled out his cell phone and shot off a quick text.
My ten o’clock. Black guy. White jacket . My height.
Laz glanced at Parker, then immediately spotted the guy. He would also know what the text meant—keep an eye on him.
Parker wasn’t sure what interest this man had in him, but it could also have something to do with Hawkins. Anyone watching long enough could probably figure out that Parker was with him, and maybe even his security.
The guy was still watching, and Parker didn’t look away until two women approached the man, and they all started talking.
Parker’s attention went back to Chelsey and her date . The jerk was still trying to talk her into going out with him once she was off duty. This time, Parker didn’t say anything. He needed to keep things as professional as possible, and threatening to kill the guy had been the wrong thing to say. Even if he did mean it.
A man and woman strolled over to them.
“Jeff, I was wondering if you’d be here tonight,” the guy said, greeting Hawkins with a handshake.
“Of course I’m here.” Hawkins greeted the man’s companion, then kissed her cheek. “You two know I couldn’t miss this fundraiser. The organization was a godsend to my family when I was growing up, and I don’t know what my parents would’ve done without their financial assistance. Thanks to them, my brother got the treatment he needed.
“Oh, forgive my manners. Let me introduce you to my date,” he said, wrapping his arm around Chelsey’s waist as if he had every right to do so.
Parker kept his cool. This was a job. He’d just keep telling himself that.
As for what Hawkins had said about his brother, that information hadn’t been in the client’s dossier. Parker only knew the basics about his extended family; Hawkins was single, his parents were retired, he had an older sister and a younger brother, who all lived in town. There hadn’t been any information about his brother being special-needs.
“Excuse me,” Parker heard Chelsey say, “I’ll let you all catch up. Jeff, I’ll be right over here.” She pointed a few feet away to a table that held desserts.
“Okay, baby,” Jeff said and pulled her close, placing a kiss on her cheek.
Parker growled before he could stop himself. “You should’ve decked him for putting his hands and mouth on you,” he mumbled, and Chelsey smirked while shaking her head.
“Parker, your guy is heading your way,” Laz said quietly through the earpiece. “I’ll keep eyes on our client.”
“Me too,” Chelsey said, but glanced Parker’s way.
He turned to see the man from earlier walking toward him with purpose, and Parker dropped his hands to his sides prepared to reach for his gun if necessary.
As if reading his mind or recognizing his stance, the man slowed and lifted his hands out in front of him as if to say, relax .
“Hey, man. I’m not looking for trouble,” he said when he got closer.
His voice carried over the live music that sifted through the speakers, but not loud enough to catch anyone else’s attention. Parker still had to strain to hear him.
“It’s just that you look so familiar. Have we met?”
Unease coursed through Parker, aware that the man had moved even closer. Now he was in striking distance. Parker rarely forgot a face, and he was sure he didn’t know the guy.
“My name is Sean. And you are?”
“Lance,” Parker said, using an old alias from back in the day.
“Did you ever live in San Francisco?” Sean asked.
“No,” Parker said simply, planning to make that his answer no matter what question was thrown at him.
“What about LA or Champagne, Illinois?”
“No.”
“Are you in law enforcement?”
“No,” Parker said again, that unease from earlier returning. The last two questions hit a little too close to home.
“Oh, well.” The man shrugged. “Sorry to bother you. Have a good evening.”
“I took a photo of him,” Laz said, and Parker’s lips quirked, trying to keep from grinning. His friend was thorough if nothing else, and he knew Parker would want to gather some information on the man even if it didn’t lead anywhere. They could get Wiz, Supreme’s computer guru who lived in Chicago, to plug the photo into his facial recognition system.
“I saw you come in with Jeff. Apparently, you don’t know the type of man you’re dating.” The low, menacing voice sounded through Parker’s earpiece, and his gaze shot to Chelsey.
A stocky, fair-complexioned man, maybe in his late forties with reddish-blond hair, was standing a little too close to Chelsey. “He’s a homewrecker,” the guy continued, his words slurring a bit. “He thinks he’s going to get away with it. He won’t. Not when I’m done with him.”
“Who are you?” Chelsey asked, slowly setting down the plate in her hand.
“I guess you don’t recognize me,” the man said with a shrug. “That’s all right. I’m just warning you. Jeff is a user.”
“His name is Troy Warrenberg. He owns several businesses in Georgia and is known around town for his philanthropy,” Laz said in their ear. “Not sure what’s up with him and Jeff, though.”
Parker didn’t care who the hell he was. He didn’t like the way the man was looking at Chelsey. It wasn’t necessarily a look of desire. No, it was more like he was sizing her up, and when the corners of his mouth kicked up into a smarmy smile, Parker knew he was up to something.
Troy ran the back of his hand up Chelsey’s bare arm, and Parker didn’t feel himself move until Chelsey whispered, “Stand down.”
Parker pulled up short but didn’t take his attention from them.
“I don’t know what you’re talking about,” she said coolly to Troy as she moved her arm from his touch.
“I’m talking about your boyfriend over there—Jeff Hawkins. The bastard slept with my wife. I’ve warned him to stay away from her but apparently, he thinks he’s untouchable. Like he can do whatever the hell he wants without consequences.”
“That’s between you and Jeff. So take it up with him.”
“Or maybe I’ll just take his woman.”
The guy moved fast. He grabbed Chelsey’s upper arm in a death grip, and Parker heard her as she hissed in pain. He skirted around a few people and was moving toward Chelsey before his brain was completely engaged. But before he could reach her, she grabbed Troy’s wrist and twisted it while simultaneously kicking him behind the knee and forcing him to the floor. He cried out in agony as she twisted his wrist harder.
“I don’t care what Jeff has done to you or your wife,” Chelsey ground out close to the man’s ear, ignoring his pleas to release him, “but if you ever put your hand on me again, I will break it in multiple places.”
Knowing Laz still had eyes on Hawkins, Parker grabbed the back of Troy’s tuxedo jacket and yanked him to his feet.
“You’re lucky she handled you before I got over here. Otherwise, they’d be carrying you out on a stretcher,” Parker said between gritted teeth, trying to keep his anger in check.
He glanced at Chelsey, and she met his eyes.
You okay? he mouthed.
With her hands on her hips, she gave him a head nod and a cocky smile.
Damn . She was amazing.
His woman literally brought a man to his knees and looked sexy as hell in her evening gown while doing it. Parker was an idiot. The stupidest thing he’d ever done in his life was walk away from this incredible woman.
He had to fix this…fix them, because there was no way he was living the rest of his life without her in it.
Three security guards rushing toward them snagged his attention.
“What’s going on?” one of them asked.
“These people assaulted me!” Troy yelled, trying to jerk free of Parker’s hold. The man swayed, making it clear that he’d had too much to drink.
The commotion caught Jeff’s attention, along with others in the room. Especially when security led Troy, Chelsey, and Parker out of the ballroom. Jeff followed behind them, and they all were taken to a room at the back of the mansion. It was interesting watching as Jeff played Chelsey’s doting date, insisting that he wanted Troy arrested for assault. Pointing out the bruise on her arm that made Parker want to snatch Troy up and choke him.
For the next few minutes, security listened as they explained how everything played out. Parker backed up Chelsey’s account of what took place, telling them he witnessed everything and only got involved because the guy tried to manhandle her.
Chelsey insisted that she was fine and had no intention of pressing charges. It was clear the guy had too much to drink, especially when he started crying and saying that Jeff broke up his marriage and ruined his life.
Jeff never admitted to anything; he also never mentioned that he had hired personal security for the event. Instead, he had referred to Chelsey and Parker as his guests for the evening. He didn’t mention Laz who had hung back but was nearby.
When Parker, Chelsey, and Jeff were free to return to the fundraiser, they stepped out of the room and found Laz leaning against the wall at the end of the hallway. He didn’t say anything as they approached, but he had heard everything through his earpiece.
“Let me leave a check with one of the organizers, and then we can leave,” Jeff said, and Chelsey walked away with him while Parker and Laz trailed a short distance behind.
“Well, this has been interesting,” Laz mumbled, and Parker agreed.
Part of him wanted to take his frustration out on Jeff, but he had to remind himself that this was a job. If anyone had anything to say to their client, it would be Chelsey, and he’d follow her lead. She had handled herself well tonight, but he decided that if she got a permanent position doing security, he couldn’t work with her. She was too much of a distraction. A good distraction, but a distraction, nonetheless.
Twenty minutes later, Laz brought the SUV around and they all climbed in.
Silence filled the vehicle until Jeff spoke. “I’m sorry about what happened back there,” he said, then turned to Chelsey. “I’m glad you weren’t seriously hurt. As you’ve probably figured out, there’s bad blood between me and Troy. I didn’t knowingly sleep with his wife. She never told me that—”
“Wait,” Chelsey said, and Parker stole a glance at her without turning all the way around. She lifted her hands to stop Jeff from continuing. “You don’t have to explain. Our job was to keep you safe this evening, and that’s what we did. Yes, it would’ve been nice to know up-front that Troy had been threatening you, and that he was there and might cause trouble. But it’s over now, and whatever happens between the two of you is between you guys. I hope you’ll be willing to give Supreme a good review.”
Parker exchanged a look with Laz, who snorted. None of them, their security team, had ever asked a client for a review. They did their jobs, did it well, and were rewarded when the clients hired them again.
But a review? If reviews were requested, they were requested by Egypt or someone else in the office. Never the security specialists.
“Of course. That’s the least I can do. You were great tonight, and I know you don’t want to go out with me outside of your job, but I’ll be requesting you if I ever need a date who can also provide security.”
Parker growled under his breath and ignored the rest of their conversation. Nope. He definitely couldn’t work with Chelsey going forward. He’d end up getting himself fired for doing something stupid like beating up a client.
He released a quiet, long, drawn-out breath and stared out the SUV’s side window as the city flew by in a blur. He replayed the evening back through his mind.
What if Chelsey hadn’t been able to defend herself? What if that jerk had seriously hurt her? Parker would’ve lost his shit, and who knows how the evening would’ve gone from there.
Now that he was thinking straight, something else came to mind. Though the altercation had ended quickly, what if someone had videotaped it? They were living in a day and time when people were capturing everything on their cell phones. He’d been so caught up in the moment that he didn’t do his usual due diligence in making sure to keep his head down.
The last thing he wanted was for Wolf to find out he was still alive. At least not before Parker was ready to reveal himself. He didn’t want his father to have a heads-up.
Not yet. Not until Parker had a plan in place that would destroy Wolf once and for all.
He was ready for a normal life. No more looking over his shoulder or fearing that his father would find him.
He was done hiding.