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Parker already knew. That phrasegame recognizes gamewould be the best way to explain it. Rock knew the drug game. Hell, he probably invented some of the rules. He’d also dealt with and destroyed plenty of leaders like Wolf.

Though Parker’s father was successful in the crime syndicate world, he wasn’t at Rock’s level and may never be. Zenobia’s brother had already been where Wolf was trying to go. The man could cause more damage to Wolf’s empire than Parker could ever dream of doing.

Yeah, if he could get Rock’s help in this, it would be game over before Wolf even knew what hit him.

As Angelo explained that to the group and what a value Rock could be, Parker wanted Angelo to make the call. They needed all the help they could get—especially Rock’s type of help.

“If he says yes, and if our bosses will give me and Parker some time off,” Angelo said, glancing at Mason and Hamilton pointedly, a mischievous gleam in his eye, “we can fly to Miaminext weekend with Zenobia. She already has plans to visit him for the weekend.”

That meant flying on Rock’s private jet. He always offered it up to his sister whenever she wanted to visit Miami; or go anywhere, for that matter. Or whenever he wanted to see her, the twins, and his mother who lived with Angelo and Zenobia.

If Parker could get Rock as an ally, there would be no doubt in his mind that they could take Wolf down. Not only that, but they might also be able to do it without Parker having to come face to face with his father.

That was something he’d been thinking about. The anger he had toward Wolf ran deep, and Parker feared that if they ever came face to face, he would kill his father. The bastard had almost killed him, and though he’d moved on with his life, Parker hadn’t been able to move past that.

Yeah, more than anything, he hoped Rock would help. But what would it cost Parker if he did? Rock was a businessman, plain and simple, and from what Parker had heard, a shrewd one at that. Would the former gangster be willing to lend a hand for nothing in return?

Only one way to find out.

They met for a few minutes longer and settled on an initial gameplan. When everyone else filed out of the office, Hamilton asked Parker to hang back.

“I forgot to tell you that we got a hit back on the guy from the fundraiser,” Hamilton said.

Parker was slipping. With everything else on his mind, he had forgotten that he’d asked them to look into him.

“His name is Sean Thompson. He’s originally from Oakland, California, but he’s been living in Georgia for the last twenty years. He’s an electrician by day and a DJ by night.”

“Criminal record?”

“When he was twenty, years before moving here, he was arrested for carrying a concealed weapon. Outside of receiving a fine, he’d gotten off without any jail time since it was a first offense. Other than that, he’s clean.”

Hamilton handed him an electronic tablet with the man’s photo and personal information. Divorced. Two kids. Lives in Loganville, Georgia. Most of his family lived on the West Coast, except for two of his brothers and a couple of cousins. The documentation also included his current employer, job history, and even the man’s credit report.

He glanced at the photo again. Nothing stood out. The guy still wasn’t familiar.

“Thanks for this,” he said and handed the tablet back to Hamilton.

“Any particular reason why you wanted him checked out?” Mason asked.

Parker told them about the exchange at the fundraiser, and how he’d wanted to make sure that he hadn’t met the guy before.

The three of them talked for a few minutes longer about how they thought the meeting with Atlanta’s Finest went. All agreed it went well, and Parker promised to keep them abreast of everything.

When he finally left Mason’s home office, Kenton was waiting for him in the hallway.

“You know you were wrong, right?” Kenton said. He was leaning against a nearby wall, his usual easygoing demeanor back in place. Parker knew what he was referring to.

“I do, and I’m sorry for how you found out about me and Chelsey, but Kenton, man, I love her. I don’t know how many times you’ll need to hear it. I’ll keep saying it over and over again until you understand that she’s it for me. Of course, I’d prefer to have your blessings, but if not…” Parker shrugged, “…that won’tchange my feelings for her. I’m planning to spend the rest of my life with your sister.”

Kenton didn’t respond, just kept staring at Parker as if trying to determine if he was serious. He’d soon learn that he was dead serious, and not him or anyone else was going to keep him from Chelsey.

When Kenton pushed away from the wall, Parker braced himself. If the man wanted to go another round with him, fine. He wouldn’t back down, and he sure as hell wouldn’t hold back on his punches this time.

Instead, Kenton stuck out his hand.

Parker stared at it for a second before grabbing hold of it.

“I’m sorry,” his friend said. “I was way out of line earlier. I’ve been my sister’s protector since the day my parents brought her home from the hospital. Some habits die hard. You and her together caught me off guard, and I reacted before thinking. All I ask is that you treat her right.”

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