Chapter 21
Chapter twenty-one
It’s been two days since my trip with Parker to the mountains.
I made sure she got home safely from her dinner and watched closely for a while before deciding to go back home and start trying to see what I could find on Hazel on my own.
What I could find didn’t throw any red flags, and I resolved to wait for Slater to let me know what he finds on a more in depth search.
Yesterday, I got tied up with some work related bullshit I had no patience to deal with which kept me away from her most of the day.
I watched her leave her shift at the bar and made sure she got home.
I love when I see her realize she’s not alone.
The way her body responds to my presence even when she can’t see me.
She’s tried to catch me every time but never has.
At this point, do I really need to keep doing it?
No. But I enjoy the thrill of it. Eventually I’ll need to stop but for now, I’ll continue watching her from the shadows.
I sit behind the desk in my home office at the computer looking over the files sent to me about one of our newest potential clients, when my phone rings. Looking down at the clock on the monitors, I see it’s almost two in the afternoon and I smirk. Right on time.
“Cain.”
“Maverick, it’s Troy.”
“How did it go?” I ask.
“It went just fine. I told her everything was working just as it should be. Even offered to install new ones if she wanted for peace of mind, but she declined.” Troy tells me.
Parker called her home security company this morning requesting a tech.
Lucky for me, the owner, Troy, is a long time business partner of mine.
He didn’t question it when I told him if she called to tell her there was nothing wrong with her cameras.
“I appreciate it.”
“Any time.” Troy ends the call and I place my phone down on the desk.
I go back to reading over the files pulled up on my computer when my office door is pushed open and Karson strolls in like he owns the place.
He plops himself down on the black leather couch that sits across from me and throws his arms across the back of it.
His cold, grey eyes lock with mine and his signature devilish grin pulls at his lips.
“What are you working on?” He asks and pulls the cigarette from behind his ear, stuffing it between his lips.
“Going through files for a new client. Can you do that shit outside?” I sigh with irritation and walk to the glass door that leads to a balcony, stepping outside.
Karson grunts and I hear him stand from the couch to follow behind me.
He pulls a lighter from his pocket and lights the cigarette, a steady stream of smoke leaves his lips as he leans his arms on the railing next to me.
“Anyone good?” He asks and I lift a shoulder.
“Michael Rovina. The owner of Perdition. One of the new casinos that’s about to open up. He’s looking to hire a company to come in and train their security guards.” I tell him and he cocks an eyebrow.
“Hell of a name for a casino. Well, that’s different.” He says and I nod. “We’ve never done anything like that before.”
“I know.” I pinch the bridge of my nose. “I just got the files from Slater, we’ll see if it’s something we can handle.” Karson nods and takes another pull of his cigarette.
“I say fuck it. Why not? Might be fun. Gamblers, drunks, it’ll keep things interesting.” A sadistic grin pulls at his lips. I had a feeling he might say that. I shake my head and chuckle.
“If we go in there, it won’t be to train their security.
It will be to be their security. I’m not going to spend six months to a year training a bunch of kids straight out of high school only to walk away.
If we do this, we’re bringing our guys and running the place. ” Karson grins and nods in agreement.
“I like the way you think. I’m sick of these rich, snobby ass fucking lawyers and politicians. And sick of the fucking suits.” He flicks the ash off of his smoke over the railing, rolling his eyes. Not at all shocked that he’s on board with my plan, I release a puff of breath and turn to him.
“I need a favor.” I tell him and turn my head to look at him.
“Name it.” He says and takes another drag.
“How well do you know the day shift bartender at Doc’s?” I ask, referring to Ashlynn. He pulls the cigarette from his mouth and pauses before he answers.
“Ashlynn.” He tenses and his tone darkens a little. That hit a nerve. “Not that well. Why?” He asks and his cool grey eyes darkening as well.
“But you do know her?” I ask, raising an eyebrow. I know the answer, he does. I remember the way he pouted the night we had dinner at Doc’s and Parker was there instead of her. Karson balls up a fist with his free hand as he stubs out the cigarette on the railing.
“Yeah, I know her.” He grumbles and stalks back inside the office. I watch as he paces in front of the couch a few times before sitting back down. I walk back inside and lean against the front of the desk, crossing my arms over my chest.
“Do you want to tell me what the fuck your problem is all of a sudden?” I ask and I watch for his reaction. His jaw tenses and he looks up at me.
“No problem. All good here.” Just like that, a grin plasters on his face again and he leans back on the couch. A night and day difference in his demeanor with the snap of a finger. I don’t know what that was all about but I almost feel sorry for the girl. Almost. “What about her? What do you need?”
“I need you to see what information she knows about Parker.” I say and he chuckles.
“The night shift girl?” He asks in an amused tone and I nod. He stares at me for a long moment before he speaks again. “What do you want to know?”
“I just need to know what Ashlynn knows about her. I already pulled a background, I want personal details.” I tell him and he leans forward to place his elbows on his knees.
“You don’t buy what’s in the background check.” It’s not a question. I shake my head and he thinks for a long minute before standing then pats me on the shoulder.
“I’ll see what I can get from her.” The look on his face would make most people shudder, but not me. I’ve gotten used to Karson’s antics over the years. His rapid shifts in his mood and his incessant need for chaos. I nod and he sits back down. “Who is this girl anyway?”
“That’s what I’m trying to figure out.” I answer and walk back around the desk to sit. The leather of the chair groans under my weight and I lean back to stare up at the ceiling.
Karson whistles and I glance over at him. “She’s got you all fucked up. I can see it.” My jaw tightens and I lean the chair forward again to look at him.
“Yeah, what about you? Someone’s clearly got you a little twisted up.” I state, my lips tipping in a smirk. He clears his throat and stands.
“Nope. Someone just knows how to piss me off.” His voice lowers and he clenches his jaw. “Anyway. Tell me more about this new client.”
Karson and I spend the next half an hour looking over what Slater had sent over and discussing options.
He’s right, we’ve never done anything like this before.
Our sole focus has always been personal security, however, this could be a way to expand our business.
We get in contact with the casino owner and set up a meeting for tomorrow morning.
Karson stands and cracks his neck before slapping me on the shoulder.
“I’m going to head out. I’ll let you know what I find out about Parker.” Karson gives me a nod before he exits the office.
I spend a couple more hours pouring over the documents on my computer before a migraine starts to build behind my eyes and I push myself away from the desk.
Grabbing my phone off the desk, I walk out of the office and toward my bedroom.
I glance at my watch and note that Parker’s shift starts in about three hours.
Two days is long enough without talking to her, touching her, hearing her beg.
Entering the bedroom, I toss my phone onto the bed then turn toward the dresser and pull out some clean clothes.
After I lay everything out on the bed, I head into the bathroom and start the shower.
I step into the water, letting the water cascade down my back as I get lost in my own thoughts.
Thoughts of amber eyes filled with tears staring up at me as I drive myself into her while I fuck her, unravel her, own her.
My cock stands at attention while her erotic moans echo in my mind.
What the fuck is she doing to me? I groan and reach for my shower gel and begin to wash up, trying my best to not beat my dick to the thoughts I’m having.
I don’t want to get off on a fantasy, I want the real thing.
I finish washing my hair then shut off the water and sling a towel low on my hips.
Exiting the shower, I shake some water from my hair as I enter back into the bedroom and grab my phone off the bed.
A grin pulls at my lips when I see a text from none other than the woman who has quickly become my obsession.
Parker
Hey, it’s Parker. Do you have any plans tonight?
Maverick
Just going through some stuff for work. What about you?
Parker
I was just wondering if you’d want to come by Doc’s at some point. Tonight’s usually a slow night. But if you have things to do, I totally understand.
Miss me, Sweetheart?
Maverick
Work can wait. I’ll be there.
She sees the message right away and I stare waiting for the three dots to appear. They finally do, then quickly disappear. That happens a few more times before her message finally appears.
Parker
Are you sure? I’m just going to be working, it's not a big deal.
Maverick
I will be wherever you want me to be, whenever you want me to be there. No questions asked.
Parker
Oh…Okay.
Obviously that wasn't the answer she was expecting, but it’s the one she will always get from me.
Maverick
I’ll see you soon, pretty girl.
Parker
See you soon.
I drop the phone back down to the bed and begin getting dressed.
I had already planned on going to the bar before she closed up for the night.
Now I’m just going to go earlier. I’ll sit there for her whole shift if that’s what she wants.
After I finish getting ready, I make my way back into my office to pass the time.
Lowering myself into the office chair, I tap the keyboard to bring the screens back to life and enter my password.
Deciding to see what else I can find on Hazel while I wait for Slater, I drag the cursor over to the web browser when a new email comes in that’s marked as urgent.
Sliding the cursor over to the other monitor, I open the email then click to open the file that’s attached.
Once it loads fully, I begin reading. About half way through, the hair on the back of my neck begins to raise; and by the time I’ve reached the end, my blood runs cold.
Jobs like this don’t come in very often, but when they do I have one man for the job.
Grabbing my phone, I tap on Elias’ contact and put it to my ear. My eyes fall back on the pictures and documents on the screen, and I swallow past the lump that’s beginning to form in my throat. He answers on the first ring.
“Maverick, what’s going on?” He asks, his deep and gravelly tone even.
I’ve known Elias all of my adult life. He used to work with my father, and from what he tells me, they were best friends.
When I turned eighteen, he found me and when I approached him with my idea to start Cain Defenses, he was my biggest supporter.
He trained Karson and I, shaping us into the men we are today.
“Something just came to my attention, and I have a job for you. I’m sending you the file now for the Wilson case.” I tell him as I forward him everything he’s going to need. “Let me know when you get it.”
“You got it.” Elias is silent on the other end for a moment and I stand, beginning to anxiously pace back and forth behind my chair.
This job is fucked, and the conditions attached to it are bullshit, but if there’s any one person who can accomplish what’s needed, it’s Elias.
“Got it.” His voice breaks through my thoughts and I sit back in the chair, pulling myself up closer to the screens.
“What the fuck?” He says to himself, and I pinch the bridge of my nose.
What the fuck is right.
“Jesus Christ, Maverick.” His voice now louder through the ear piece. “You need a sniper for this one, not a damn bodyguard.” Elias grits through his teeth, his frustration palpable through the phone.
“I agree with you, but there are strict instructions to not interfere with this one.” I tell him. He lets out a harsh breath before speaking again.
“This ain't right kid, but I’m on it.” He says and I exhale.
“You’ve got seventy-two hours to get ready and get out there. I’ll respond to the sender and let them know you’re coming.” I say and begin my reply to the client.
“I’ll be there in forty-eight. I just booked the flight.” He tells me and I smirk to myself. I knew he wasn’t going to sit on this for too long. “Now, catch me up on this casino deal. Do you want me to be there for the contract signing?”
“There’s no need. Karson and Slater will be coming with me. I appreciate it though. You worry about this case, no matter how long it takes.” I tell him, grateful that he’s willing to take this job, and that his concern is still being there for me.
“Okay, but if you need me you call me, boy. I mean it.” Elias orders and I nod to myself.
“Yes, sir. Be safe over there, I’ll be checking in.” I say and we hang up. Looking at the clock, I quickly exit out of everything on the computer and shut it down. I stand and make my way out of the office, and down the stairs to the front door.
I don't want to keep my girl waiting.