Chapter 23
Chapter Twenty-Three
W ith a hand at the small of her back, Parker guided Chelsey into the ten-story office building that Rock owned. Once they were inside the lobby, they spotted Angelo near a long receptionist desk, talking to the security guard.
“Oh, good. I’m glad he’s here early,” Parker said. “This will give me a chance to talk to him before we all meet with Rock.”
Chelsey nodded. “Great idea.”
Parker wanted to tell his friend that he was accepting Rock’s proposal. He also wanted to see if Angelo would consider moving to Miami and joining Parker’s security team if everything panned out with Rock.
“I’ll wait for you guys near the elevators. Just meet me over there.”
Parker gave her a quick kiss on the lips. “Will do. See you in a minute.”
She watched as he strolled away, her gaze automatically going to his perfect ass encased in dark blue dress pants. The man looked good coming and going, and he was all hers.
That thought made her smile, and she discreetly lifted her hand out in front of her as she strolled across the lobby. It had been fifteen hours since Parker had proposed marriage, and she still couldn’t believe it. The three-stone diamond engagement ring with blue sapphires on each side of a central diamond was absolutely stunning.
To say that she’d been surprised by the proposal would be an understatement, even though they’d discussed marriage often. Last night, Parker had told her that he’d gotten the ring earlier in the year, debating on when best to ask her to be his wife.
The timing now, with plans to take down Wolf, hadn’t been ideal, but he’d wanted her to know how serious he was about spending the rest of his life with her. Asking her to marry him was definitely one way to do that.
Her gaze went back to the ring, and giddiness bubbled inside of her.
I’m getting married!
She was marrying the man of her dreams, and she couldn’t wait. Neither of them wanted a long engagement, but they both agreed that they’d make wedding plans after Wolf was dealt with.
In the meantime, Chelsey would enjoy her engagement to the sexiest man alive.
She and Parker had spent much of the day enjoying the sites. They’d started with lounging and walking along the beach near their hotel. After that, they hung out in South Beach, ate lunch, and did some shopping.
Living in South Florida with its gorgeous beaches was going to be a heck of a difference than living in the Atlanta with its lush greenery, massive trees, and rolling hills. Moving to the Sunshine State, assuming all went as planned, would be a big adjustment. It would also be the first time she had ever lived outside Georgia, but Chelsey was looking forward to the change—as well as the challenges that might come with it.
She glanced up to find Parker and Angelo strolling toward her.
Chelsey was curious about what Angelo would say. She thought it a good idea since he and Zen loved Miami and visited a couple of times a month.
What she found interesting, though, was that Rock hadn’t asked his brother-in-law to head up his security. Maybe their past issues were too deep.
Either way, she hoped Angelo would consider Parker’s request. With him on the team, that would be a great way to make sure Rock stayed out of illegal trouble. That was a big concern of Chelsey’s. Only time would tell whether the guy could be trusted.
The lobby of the ten-story modern building was busy for a Saturday. On the ground level were a few restaurants, a bakery, and according to the directory, the other floors housed various businesses; everything from a law firm to a financial consulting company, and even a dentist office were building tenants.
“Hey, Chelsey,” Angelo said, giving her a hug.
“Hey, yourself. You guys ready to head up?”
Parker slipped his arm around her waist. “Let’s do this.”
As they rode up the elevator, several people got on and off on the way to the top floor. She, Parker, and Angelo were the only ones to exit on the tenth floor where Rock’s offices were. When they stepped off the elevator, Angelo walked ahead while she and Parker slowed.
He squeezed her hand and leaned close to her ear. “You ready for this?”
Chelsey nodded. “What about you?” she asked, her voice matching his whispered words. “This could be the beginning of a totally new life for you…for us.”
Not only would he be rid of Wolf, but he’d also be able to stop looking over his shoulder for the first time in his adult life. She wanted that for him so much, that she was willing to do anything to help make it a reality.
Before they started walking toward the reception area, Parker brought her hand to his lips and kissed the back of it.
“Like I said, as long as I have you by my side, I’m ready for anything.”
Chelsey grinned up at him. She loved when he talked like that, and she couldn’t be happier about their engagement. The first thing she’d wanted to do this morning was call and tell India and her family the news.
Instead, she decided to wait. After this meeting, there might be more news to share.
Like the fact that she was moving to Miami.
She sucked in a breath at that realization. This whole situation was wild. Never in a million years did she expect their trip to turn into a job offer to Parker, a marriage proposal, and the possibility of relocating to Miami. In a matter of minutes, their whole life could change.
As the three of them entered the office, Rock stood from behind the desk. While Gavin stood next to the desk, much like he had in Rock’s home office the night before.
Rock gestured to the two chairs in front of his desk. “Come on in. Have a seat.”
Gavin grabbed another chair from the table in the corner for Angelo, and once they were all settled, Rock began.
“What’s it going to be?”
No small talk was needed. The sooner they came to an agreement, the sooner they could handle Wolf and the Kingz. Or, if Rock had a problem with whatever Parker requested of him, then there wouldn’t be much of a conversation. They’d head back to Atlanta and come up with a different plan.
“Just so we’re clear on the objective, I want to take Wolf and the Kingz down at the same time. I want to hit them from every direction all at once. So, if you help me accomplish that— legally —then we have a deal. But,” Parker hurried to say when Rock started to speak, “as head of your security, I’m going to want Supreme involved in some capacity.”
Rock nodded, looking pleased. “As head of my security, you can do whatever the hell you think is best.”
He stood, and so did Parker, and they shook hands.
“I know you don’t trust me,” Rock said as they reclaimed their seats. “And I understand why, but I give you my word that I’m on the right side of the law.”
Parker studied him as if trying to decide if the guy was being honest. “Okay. Then we have a deal.”
“To also prove that I can be trusted, I’m going to help you nail Wolf, and then after that, you and I can discuss the security position, draw up a contract, and make everything official.”
“That works for me. When do we get started?” Parker asked.
“We’ve already started.” Rock leaned back in his leather chair and steepled his fingers. “I theoretically put myself in Wolf’s shoes, tried to think like he’d think, and made a list of everything I would have in place as the leader of the Kingz. I can assure you he has an exit plan if shit ever hit the fan.”
“I’m sure he does,” Parker agreed. “Which is why we have to attack every aspect of his life all at once.”
“Exactly. Okay, so like you,” Rock continued, “I don’t trust easily, and I want to assure you that those who I’ve identified to help us will be discreet and trustworthy. We, like you, will have roles to play in taking your father down, and while we’re setting everything up, he won’t know what’s happening until it’s too late.”
“Good, and thanks for pulling a team together. Actually, I appreciate you being willing to stick your neck out for me like this, and I’ll make sure I do my part,” Parker said, and pulled up something on his phone. “I also put together a list of areas I want to make sure we hit as it relates to Wolf. I’m thinking maybe we can compare notes, create a timeline, and decide who does what over the next couple of weeks.”
Rock nodded, his gaze steady on Parker. “Okay. I think with all of us working together, we can end Wolf and the Kingz sooner than later.”
“As I mentioned,” Angelo jumped in, “I have a DEA contact, who I’d trust with my life, who would be more than interested to get in on this. Quietly, of course. In order to shut the Kingz down, we’re going to have to have help from the DEA, ATF, and maybe even the FBI, depending on what all we find on Wolf,” Angelo said.
Parker reached for Chelsey’s hand. He’d always been touchy-feely with her, but she wondered if he was nervous. This was it. He was finally going to get the closure he desperately wanted.
She squeezed his hand without looking at him, wanting him to know that she was right there with him. That they all were. He wouldn’t be alone in this like he’d been when he tried taking Wolf down years ago.
“We also have a secret weapon who I believe you know,” Rock said to Parker, and for whatever reason, Parker stiffened.
“Who? Because I’m fairly sure you and I don’t know many of the same people. More than that—”
“Relax, man. Remember, we’re a team now. So your best interest is my best interest.” He pushed a button on his desk phone.
“Yes?” the person on the other end said.
“Can you come to my office and bring that file on Wolf with you?”
“Be right there.”
Minutes later, there was a quick knock before the door swung open. “Rock, I got some more information that might… Oh, I didn’t realize you had company.”
Parker leaped from his seat and turned toward the door. Chelsey watched as he and the woman stared at each other in shock.
Who the hell was she? And why did Parker look as if he was going to pass out.