Chapter 13
Chapter Thirteen
D rained, Parker wanted nothing more than to close his eyes and not think for at least an hour. Or better yet, getting some fresh air might recapture some of the energy he had expended during this conversation.
But knowing Chelsey would pitch a fit if he even thought about walking outside, at least before they finished talking, he ambled over to the window instead. Leaning a palm against the window casing, he released a slow, cleansing breath.
He had shared most of the story with Chelsey, but there was one part he had locked away in the back of his mind. The part that came with the type of guilt that could cripple a man.
He hadn’t lied about leaking the shipment information to the Disciples, but it had been more than that. The truth was, he had worked with someone closely connected to the Disciples. Someone who wanted to inflict the same type of revenge as he’d wanted to do against the Kingz.
Elena. He hadn’t thought about her in years, but she’d had just as much at stake as Parker did. She’d been all in on the deceit for her own reasons that were similar yet different from his. The plan had been perfect. They’d share enough information to start a war, then they’d let the syndicates destroy each other. While that happened, they’d get as far away from California as possible.
Parker wished he knew what happened to her. He had no clue if she was alive or dead, because instead of him meeting up with her, Wolf had intercepted him. Had she been able to disappear? Or had the Disciples done to her what Wolf had tried to do to him? Was she dead because of his idea to start a war? Parker didn’t know, and he’d been carrying that guilt around with him ever since.
Talking about his past felt as if he was reliving those dark days all over again. Especially when he recalled the beating he had received. The pain. The majority of his body had been covered in blood and throbbed while he had struggled to breathe.
Even now, as he rubbed his chest, it was as if he was back there. Back in that warehouse with Wolf, Elder, and three other people, one being his best friend, Luis. Or as close to a best friend he could have. That day was what nightmares were made of.
Parker startled when Chelsey wrapped her arms around him from behind and laid her head on his back. He covered her hands, which lay against his stomach, with his and released a pent-up breath as he relaxed.
It was hard to admit how jacked up his youth had been, and how horribly it almost ended.
“I’m so sorry for everything you went through,” Chelsey murmured. “But I want to know as much as you’re able to share. Right now, give me the short version.”
Her voice was muffled against his back, and he couldn’t help but smile a little at her words. Her saying he could give her the short version now meant she’d be asking more questions later or in the very near future.
She had a right to, though. If they were going to be a couple, it was only fair she knew everything about him. Even the parts he wanted to forget. He just didn’t realize how much remembering would bother him.
Before he continued with the story of his almost-death, he decided to tell her about Elena. He shared how guilty he felt pulling her into the plans, even though it should’ve benefited them both. But not knowing if she made it out of San Diego would forever haunt him. Especially when he tried to find her years later with no luck.
“Getting back to the warehouse situation…” he said, “Luis, one of the guys in the crew I was closest to, was a few years older than me. We clicked and often hung out. I didn’t tell him my plan about the ambush, because I didn’t want any blowback to touch him if Wolf ever found out. Anyway, Luis happened to be one of the guys in the warehouse watching me get my ass kicked. He was also one of the cleaners Wolf often used to make dead bodies disappear.
“I don’t remember much after Wolf beat me, but years after everything took place, I reached out to Luis, who filled me in. He was shocked I was alive.”
“What do you mean?” Chelsey interrupted. “If he was there, wouldn’t he know you were still alive?”
“When Wolf and the others left my body with Luis, they all thought I was dead, including Luis. But after Wolf walked out, Luis said he saw my fingers move.”
“Oh, my goodness,” Chelsey breathed, and her arms tightened around his waist. “Oh, Parker.”
“He said I was in and out of consciousness and my pulse was thready. He didn’t think I’d last long, but he said he couldn’t toss me in the incinerator like Wolf had instructed since I was still alive. Instead, he wrapped me in a tarp and drove me to the beach.” Parker shook his head at the memory, still finding it hard to believe that he had lived.
Needing to hold Chelsey, he turned in her embrace, and then gathered her in his arms. When he glanced down, he was surprised to see tears running down her cheeks.
“Ahh, baby, don’t cry,” he said, wiping away her tears with the pad of his thumb.
“I can’t help it. You almost died,” she said, her voice trembling as she swiped frantically at a few more tears. “If that would’ve happened, I never would’ve met you, and that’s something I can’t…I can’t imagine my life without you in it.”
The anguish in her voice was like a knife twisting in his gut, but Parker didn’t want her sympathy. He’d done so much shit over the years, he probably had that beating coming.
The only reason he was telling her about any of this was because he wanted her back, and he needed her prepared for what was coming soon.
Parker placed a lingering kiss on the side of her head as he cradled her against him. She was everything to him, and he almost blew it when he broke up with her.
What an idiot.
Never again.
He was never letting her go again.
Chelsey lifted her head from his chest and exhaled. “I’m sorry. You can continue.”
Parker smiled down at her and kissed her sweet lips. His woman was tough. If that weren’t the case, he wouldn’t have shared as much as he had so far. She might not have much experience with gang life, but as a former cop, she understood their ways more than most.
Gangs operated through a different moral compass than the average person. Their beliefs, thought processes, and ways of life weren’t necessarily in line with society’s values.
“Long story short, Wolf’s warehouse is not too far from Oceanside, California. Luis and I used to hang out near a beach in that area. Usually in the middle of the night doing stupid shit. Anyway, a few times we’d see military guys jogging before daybreak along that stretch of beach. Probably because it wasn’t too far from Camp Pendleton,” he said, referring to a military base in that area. “Counting on someone finding me sooner rather than later, Luis left me at a spot where a jogger would see me.
“It was a major risk and a gamble on so many levels, but he felt that was my only chance for survival. According to him, he stayed nearby until he saw a guy stop. Then he took off before the man spotted him.”
Chelsey jerked out of Parker’s hold and backed away from him. Her eyes were wild and furious as she glared at him.
“Are you kidding me?” she spat, her beautiful face a mask of fury. “How could you call that guy a friend? A friend wouldn’t do shit like that and just leave you, Parker! That’s the craziest thing I’ve ever heard! I understand your crew stayed away from hospitals or any place else that would alert cops, but… Dammit. There had to be something else that guy could’ve done for you. I can’t believe he just left you!”
Parker rubbed his forehead as a yawn slipped through. A person would have to have grown up in gang life to understand what Luis had done for him. Yes, there was a chance Parker would’ve died before anyone found him, or someone would’ve saw him and called 911.
But Luis had ultimately saved his life while risking his own. If Wolf had ever found out that Luis disobeyed an order, he would’ve put a bullet in his head, no questions asked. Taking Parker to a hospital had been out of the question. There was nothing else his friend could’ve done to help.
Parker tried explaining that to Chelsey, but she wasn’t hearing it. She put even more distance between them. She now stood on the edge of the living room facing him with her arms crossed in defiance.
“So, what happened?” she finally asked.
“Mason was the one who found me.” Chelsey’s eyes grew wide, and she started to say something, but Parker lifted his hands to stop her. “I don’t remember much, Chels, but he told me that before I passed out, I said— no cops, no hospital, gang war .”
Luis and Mason were additional reasons why Parker believed in angels. Mason could’ve easily called the cops to deal with him. Or he could’ve taken Parker to a local hospital. If he had done either of those things, word would’ve gotten back to Wolf, and he would’ve found a way to finish the job. Then he would’ve gone after Luis.
But Mason hadn’t done either of those things.
Instead, he’d managed to get the emergency care that Parker had needed.
There were times Parker still couldn’t believe his luck. He’d been clueless to everything until he was recovering in Germany. That’s when Mason had filled him in on all that happened after finding him on the beach. He explained how a voice inside of him had told him not to involve authorities. He’d said the feeling was so strong that he was determined to do whatever he could to save Parker. Even if it meant not doing everything above board.
One of Mason’s friends who’d been a medical officer in the Marines got involved. Mason wasn’t forthcoming on how they’d managed to get him treated at the hospital at Camp Pendleton. Nor did he share how they’d arranged for a transport to Germany where he could recover and where Mason had just been reassigned.
As he continued telling Chelsey about his ordeal, Parker once again believed his mother, his angel, had been watching over him. He believed every aspect of that situation had been divinely orchestrated.
That was the only way to explain how his life had been spared. It was a miracle that he was still alive, and that thought was never far from his mind.
He ended up spending years oversees in an apartment near base that Mason had rented. It had taken Parker almost a year to recover mentally and physically before he eventually returned to the States. He came back a different person, a better person inside and out, and it was all thanks to Mason.
“I owe him everything,” he said. “Had he made different decisions, I might not be here today. He saved my life, and the only thing he asked of me was to never return to gang life and to stay out of trouble.”
Chelsey stumbled back a few inches and leaned against a nearby wall as if needing that extra support to stand. That sadness in her eyes and the fresh tears gliding down her cheeks had Parker’s stomach twisting in knots.
Before today, he had never seen her cry. Not even that time when one of her favorite parolees was gunned down while walking home from work.
Parker moved across the room and pulled her into his arms again. “Don’t cry, baby. I didn’t tell you any of this to make you sad,” he said, placing a kiss on the side of her head as he rocked her back and forth.
“I’m so glad Mason stopped to help you,” she whispered. “If he hadn’t…”
He leaned back, then cupped her face between his hands, forcing her to meet his eyes. “I love you so damn much. Part of me never told you about my past because I had put it behind me. I had completely separated myself from that life and tried to block it out of my mind.”
“But then you saw the photo,” she said, and he nodded.
“I panicked. All I could think about was that Wolf would see that picture and come for me and everyone I love. I didn’t want to leave you or the Atlanta’s Finest team, but I seriously considered it for fear I’d put you guys in danger. Once again, Mason was there, talking me out of it and saying if Wolf comes for me, he comes for all of us.”
Chelsey ran her hands up Parker’s torso and to his chest, and his body tingled from the contact. He would never be able to express how much he missed being with her and feeling her hands on his body again.
“I agree with Mason,” she said. “You’re not alone anymore, Parker, and I’m disappointed that you didn’t trust me enough to tell me everything. Instead, you opted to break up with me.”
“I know, baby. I regret how I handled the situation. It won’t happen again.” He rested his forehead against hers, then lifted it again. “Going forward, I’ll always be straight with you. Give me another chance to prove how much I love you. Let me show you that I can get this right.”
She searched his eyes as if looking for something before saying, “I’ll give us another chance. I’ve missed you too much not to, and I love you, too. That hasn’t changed.”
“Good to hear,” he said and backed her to the wall.
She meant the world to him. More than she’d ever know. Her beauty inside and out, her dry sense of humor that he adored, and even her sassiness. He missed it all.
He reached out and pushed a strand of hair behind her ear. “It’s been hell without you.”
She ran the back of her fingers over the light scruff on his cheek. “I can tell. You look like shit,” she said, and he couldn’t help but laugh. “It’s easy to see that you haven’t been sleeping or eating. Is there something else I should know? Are you sick?”
He shook his head. “Nah. It’s just been a stressful few months, but talking to you is the beginning of me getting my life back on track.”
She slid her arms around his neck. “Good, because we belong together, and I need you just like you need me. But if you ever break up with me again—”
“I won’t. I’m never walking away from you. It’s me and you until eternity.”
“Yeah, and you better remember that,” Chelsey said, and he wasn’t sure who moved first, but before he realized it, their mouths were touching.
The kiss started slow and sweet, but within seconds reached a whole different heat level. Desire pulsed through Parker, and he ran his hands along the soft curves of her sexy body as their connection deepened.
He missed this. From the moment they’d met, Parker had known there was something special about this woman. Every day since then, getting to know her and spending time with her solidified that initial assessment. She was like no other, and he had almost ruined the best thing that ever happened to him—falling in love with her.
As Chelsey ground against him, Parker’s heart pounded an erratic beat, and their tongues tangled as if trying to find each other’s tonsils. The heavy conversation they’d just had was all but forgotten. All Parker could think about right now was how badly he wanted to get reacquainted with her body.
But that wasn’t why he had stopped by her house. He wanted to make things right and win her back. He wasn’t expecting anything more than that.
Yet, he was only human.
His dick was suddenly hard as granite. And the way Chelsey literally had him by the balls as she cupped and squeezed him, made him even harder.
There was no resisting this woman.
His woman . Especially when it was clear how much they wanted each other.
Parker winced with the pleasure she was giving him, but if she didn’t stop…
“Mmm,” he moaned and eased his mouth from hers, but their lips were still only a breath apart as he covered her hand with his. “If you don’t stop touching me like that, I won’t be responsible for my actions.”
Chelsey grinned, and God help him …
She slowly released him and then lifted the tail of her T-shirt and tugged the garment over her head before tossing it to the floor. Next, she added the royal blue lace bra to the beginning of a pile.
Goodness . It didn’t matter how many times he was blessed with seeing her body, he was still left in awe. The woman’s figure was what wet dreams were made of, and she was totally uninhibited as she smiled wickedly at him.
“Damn, baby,” he whispered and cupped her mouth-watering breasts with both hands before pushing them together. He loved how heavy they were in the palms of his hands. And the way her dark nipples stood at attention, they were begging for his mouth on them, and Parker didn’t hesitate.
He swirled his tongue around the taut bud before he tugged it into his mouth. Then he sucked and teased while being keenly aware of the way she was feverishly trying to get his belt undone as she squirmed against him.
“Parker…” she breathed.
Though she might be uninhibited, his baby was also impatient. She loved quickies but Parker didn’t, and she knew that. He preferred to take his time with her, but occasionally, like now, she made that difficult.
He knew what drove her wild, and her sensitive nipples were one of her erogenous zones. So he moved to the second one, giving it the same attention as the first one. But between her arousing scent surrounding him and the way she was touching him, need and lust charged through his body. He’d prefer to take his time with her, but…
When Chelsey unzipped his pants and pulled his dick out, Parker knew he had to hurry this along. Especially when she started squeezing and stroking his length, and he nearly leaped out of his skin when she ran the pad of her thumb over the tip.
“Okay, okay, baby, you’re going to make me come,” he said, sucking in a breath as he half laughed and half groaned while easing out of her grip.
He hurried and dug his wallet from his pocket and grabbed a condom while Chelsey rushed to unfasten her shorts. When she released a low growl, he couldn’t help but chuckle at her frustration.
“Chels, we have all night to…” his words trailed off as he watched her push her shorts over her hips, then let them pool around her feet.
Parker’s mouth went dry. She wasn’t wearing panties and stood before him gloriously naked, except for her red socks. He considered himself a man of control in most situations, but this woman… This incredibly sexy human being who was truly a gift from God, tested him in every way possible.
“What were you saying?” she asked with a nefarious grin, and the shapeliness of her naked body taunted him.
Parker didn’t bother responding. He yanked off his T-shirt, toed off his shoes, got out of his jeans and boxer briefs in record time. He then made quick work of sliding on the condom.
All the while his gaze never left Chelsey.
He backed her to the wall. “You are still the sexiest woman I’ve ever laid eyes on.”
“I’m glad you think so.”
She ran her hands up his bare chest and he shivered under her soft touch, then she smirked and gazed down between their bodies. His erection was standing at attention, more than ready for action, and she chuckled.
“Well, hello. It looks like you’ve missed me.”
“More than you know.”
Before she could say another word, Parker claimed her mouth with a savage intensity. He wanted her like a drug addict wanting his next fix, and the way Chelsey was palming his ass and grinding her sex against him, meant she was in a similar state.
But when she wrapped one of her legs around his waist, he knew this was going to be quicker than quick.
He ripped his mouth from hers, hauled her up into his arms, and she wrapped both legs around him. When he slid into her sweet heat, it was like coming home. He glided between her slick folds, loving the way her muscles contracted around him as he moved inside her.
Yeah, this was what he needed, what he wanted.
Her arms around his neck and the cool brush of her fingers at the back of his head, along with the heady kiss she was giving him, had his senses on overdrive. He didn’t want to hurt her, knowing her back was against the wall, but he couldn’t stop the way he was driving into her.
It had been too long without having her sex wrapped around his dick. It had been too long since he’d been able to hold her close like this. And it sure as hell had been too damn long since he’d heard her moans and whimpers of pleasure. It was like music to his ears, and the way her luscious breasts bounced in front of his face…
He wasn’t going to last.
This was going to be over way too quickly.
He might…
“Pa—Parker!” Chelsey screamed and bucked hard against him while her nails dug into his skin. Her body stiffened, and she cried out as she rode the wave of a long orgasm.
Watching her come was always one of the most beautiful sights he’d ever witnessed. It also never failed to push him over the edge of his own control and into an earth-shattering, shuddering release.
His knees went weak as he growled her name, but he managed to stay upright and hold her tightly against the wall. His heart was practically beating out of his chest as his body trembled with aftershocks from his release.
“Goodness,” he panted, struggling to get air into his lungs.
“Wow,” Chelsey breathed, her chest heaving as she lay limp against him. “Did I mention that I’ve missed you?”
Parker chuckled and kissed the side of her head. “Yeah. You might’ve mentioned it a couple of times, but I’ll never get tired of hearing it. Now, how about we take this upstairs so that I can show you more thoroughly how much I’ve missed you.”
Chelsey slowly leaned back to look at him, and the sweet smile she gave him sent heat pulsing through his veins.
“I’d like that very much.”
When their lips met again, and she kissed him sweetly, Parker knew without a doubt that she would forever be his, and he’d protect her with his life.
No matter what.