Chapter 9
Chapter nine
PING!
Email after email hits my phone, like clock work.
Consultations, new contracts to be signed, but this one is the one I’ve been waiting for.
It’s from Slater, one of the men that works with Karson and I.
He handles a lot of the techy shit for the business, a genius in his own right, and can hack into any camera system anywhere on the globe.
He can also find anything on anyone in record time, so I gave him a name and he delivered.
Parker Reigh Ellis
Date of Birth: January 23, 1996
Place of Birth: The Dalles, OR
Mother: Nancy Elaine Ellis
Father: Jason Michael Ellis
Current Residence: Bend, OR
What? I needed to know more about her.
There are a few more details in the report.
Where she went to high school, first job, current employment status, things of that nature.
It may seem mundane to most but I pride myself on knowing everything about my targets.
I smile to myself as I read the report over and over and over again, confident I’m wearing down the touch screen with the constant scrolling.
My girl has a perfect background. Good schools, lived in the perfect suburban neighborhood, with what looks to be loving parents who moved to Florida a couple of years ago, a lot of friends. Everything looks perfect.
I call bullshit.
Something about this report seems off to me.
No one is this clean. And I mean no one.
For some people it’s a minor arrest, flunking a class or two, and some sort of debt whether it’s credit cards, medical bills or loans.
Parker has quite literally, the perfect report.
It’s too clean. She is either the model citizen, or someone somewhere knows how to falsify a background check. I’m going with the latter.
To an untrained individual, or even an employer, this report looks legitimate. Too bad I know better. It only piques my interest more and fuels my desire to get closer to her.
What are you hiding, pretty girl?
My eyes glaze over as I read further, thoughts of her locking eyes with mine take over.
When our sights crashed into one another last night it took every ounce of strength in me to not approach her.
She seemed intrigued by our presence in the bar and meticulously watched mine and Karson’s every move.
Her brows knitted together in the middle as she shamelessly spied on our conversation with Cole.
“How’s your first night babysitting?” Karson strides up to Cole then slaps him on the back, giving his shoulder a shake.
We decided to come check on Cole and make sure he’s doing his job, and from the looks of it, he’s keeping a solid eye out. I can tell he’s pissed off about having to be here, but he has no one to blame but himself.
On the way over here Karson seemed just as pleased as I am about Cole’s presence at Doc’s. He rambled on and on about how good it’s going to be that the girls here have someone to look out for them at night, and how Cole better not fuck this up or he’s going to string him up by his balls.
I can’t tell if it’s because he dislikes Cole, or if he has special interest in the well-being of the staff at the bar.
Judging by how he reacted to the other bartender being out the last time we were here, it’s the latter.
If he does, he'll tell me in his own time. Karson Tate is a grown ass man. He can do whatever the hell he wants. His interest in Doc’s, or the staff, is none of my business. Parker, however, is.
Cole grumbles and shakes off my friend's hand. I snicker as I take in his appearance.
He’s got a pretty deep cut on the left side of his upper lip and I can tell his eye was probably swollen shut this morning when he woke up.
“This is the most boring fucking thing I’ve ever done. When the first bartender was here this place was dead. I didn’t really need to be here. This is the most action this place has gotten.” Cole motions out to the sorry excuse for customers.
Karson’s expression shifts from entertained to pissed in point two seconds. “I don’t give a fuck if there’s only one person in this hole in the wall. You will be here for as long as we tell you or you’re fucking done.”
He takes a step closer to Cole and I slap my hand over his chest and push him back a tiny bit. “Easy. Down boy.” A smile curls my lips.
Karson glares at the side of Cole’s face as if he can blow his head up if he does it long enough.
“We just came by to see how it’s going.”
“You mean you came to babysit me, Mav. Don’t bullshit me. It’s been fine. This girl really seems like the type that doesn’t need my help. Not that anything has happened, I just got this vibe that she can handle her own. She’s kind of hot too. I don't mind standing here all night looking at her.”
This time Karson is the one pushing me back.
“You listen to me fucker, your job is to watch out for her, not watch her. You leave the girls alone, you fucking got it?” I leave no room for misunderstanding.
I will rip this arrogant little shit’s dick off if he so much as thinks about touching Parker.
“I got it! What the fuck is wrong with you two? What the hell is your deal Maverick? I expect this kind of crazy shit from psycho over here,” he points over to Karson, who smiles widely, “But not you.”
I take a step back and straighten my shoulders, trying to compose myself but my blood is on fire and all I’m picturing is Cole’s head on a stick.
“Just do your job. Leave the staff alone unless it’s necessary.
” Glancing at Karson, I tip my head in the direction of the door.
“One more thing, you stay until this place is closed and she’s ready to leave.
Walk her to her car, don’t fucking touch her.
No conversation, nothing. Make sure she leaves the lot safely, then you go the opposite direction. ”
I start walking back to the exit when Karson catches up with me.
“I swear Mav if he slips, I’ll string him up by his balls.” Karson declares, twirling his finger and pointing up to the ceiling. He’s pissed. So am I but we need to have this conversation in the truck. Beautiful light brown eyes have been on us since we walked in and she doesn't need to hear this.
Stopping my stride, I pivot to face Karson. Instead of focusing on him, Parker’s eyes meet mine over the bar and it feels like a punch to the gut. A beautiful blush creeps up her neck and into her cheeks, then she turns and all but runs to the end of the bar.
I chuckle, barely hearing Karson’s rant, still watching as Parker takes a man's order and grabs what she needs.
“Let’s talk in the truck.” I say and walk out the door, not waiting for Karson.
Last night, I decided that I’m done waiting to talk to her. The pull I feel towards Parker is disturbing–intoxicating. I told myself I wasn’t going to keep doing this after I followed her around town but, whoops, I lied. I haven’t been able to stay away.
Early this morning I crept onto her back porch to catch a glimpse of her. I needed to see her like an addict needs their next hit. I’ve been crawling out of my skin remembering how she walks around town, how she smiles at everyone she encounters. I no longer need to see her, but I crave it.
Imagine my surprise when she was still awake at dawn and almost caught me.
My girl is intriguing. She was so relaxed and in her element the other day, but when she’s alone or at work?
She’s on high alert and doesn't miss anything.
I need to know why. I want to peel back the layers of Parker and tear my way to the deepest darkest parts of her, then sink my teeth into her.
Pocketing my phone, I step out of the truck and head to the entrance of Doc’s. No more waiting. I need to talk to her, to hear her voice. I need to put together the pieces of Parker.
Entering the bar I note that it isn't as busy as it was last night. There’s only fifteen people in here tonight and they’re a quiet crowd.
Walking in the direction of a pissed off Cole, I steal a glance over to the left at the bar.
Parker is engrossed in a conversation with a middle aged man who sits in the corner leaning against the wall—he looks hammered.
She’s too busy to notice me, but I can see a sympathetic smile on her face as she talks to the old man.
Who has the nerve to smile back. Irritation floods my system, and I have to stop myself from going over there.
Chill the fuck out.
When I reach Cole he raises his brows and the bastard starts to laugh.
“So that’s why I can't look at her. Is that also why I’m here? Her?” He asks in an amused tone. Dammit. Cole is a prick, I was hoping he wouldn't pick up on my fascination with a certain brunette. It’s going to give him ammo to be more of a pain in my ass.
“You’re here because the owner needs security for his staff.
Now, mind your fucking pay grade. How’s the night?
” I ask, pretending I give two shits about how he’s handling his new job.
I didn't want to talk to him tonight, but with him working here it gives me the perfect excuse to come in and see her in the open. And the chance to talk to her.
Cole rolls his eyes, straightening his posture. He takes a second to look around the bar before his eyes meet mine. “It’s been fine. Boring compared to last night, which I guess at the end of the day is a good thing.”
“A very good thing.” I nod in agreement. “Let me know if you need anything and call me if something happens.” I turn to walk away.
“I want my new helmet by tomorrow afternoon.” I throw over my shoulder. Seeing Cole curse to himself and rub the back of his neck out of the corner of my eye.
Surely he didn’t think I forgot about that.
Taking a seat at the bar I see Parker is still in conversation with the guy that’s tucked in the corner, who is now starting to slump over the bar. A bit obvious he’s had a little too much to drink.