Page 56 of Protected

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 everydirection 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 wantto 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.

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