Page 76 of Protected

Surely someone would call the cops if they were witnessing this, but no one was in the vicinity.

Parker swung at the other guy, but the man was ready. He punched Parker in the chin, sending his head snapping back, but Parker managed to land a few punches.

Chelsey didn’t want to do anything that would distract him, but she had to help.

As she moved closer, the back door of the SUV burst open. She gasped quietly and ducked. She could still hear Parker and one of the thugs scuffling, and when she peeked around an old Buick, she saw a big guy leap out of the SUV.

She almost screamed Parker’s name, but he saw the guy. Still, it was too late. With the help of the first thug, they grabbed him.

“Hey! What’s going on over there?” she yelled in her deepest voice while staying out of sight, hoping to distract them. But when she looked over the hood of a car, they had managed to get him into the SUV.

Oh, damn!

Chelsey sprinted to her car, still trying to stay out of sight. She barely got in and started it when the SUV took off toward the exit. Thankfully, there were cars lined up in front of them. That gave her time.

She pulled out of her parking spot and headed for the same exit, glad another car was between her and the SUV.

While she waited, she checked her cupholder, the passenger seat, between the seats, and even the floor, for her cell phone. Nothing. She wanted to scream, but she didn’t have time to freak out. She had to keep her shit together and keep an eye on that SUV.

They pulled out into traffic, and she was careful to keep a couple of cars between them. Slapping a hand to her chest, she willed her heartbeat to stop racing.

Breathe, girl. Breathe.

She couldn’t ever remember being as scared as she was in this moment.

“What am I going to do?” she whispered.

Even if she followed them to wherever they were taking Parker, then what?

She didn’t have her cell phone, she didn’t have time to stop somewhere to find a phone, and she had no clue who she was dealing with.

But at least she had her gun and a switchblade in her glove compartment.

Still, it would help if she knew who the guys were and what they wanted with Parker.

No soon as the thought entered her mind, a sinking feeling engulfed her.

James and Debby—they had to be connected somehow. Or had Wolf found him? Had he somehow found out about the raids that were being set up to take down his empire?

Chelsey needed answers, and the only way that was going to happen was if she kept up with the guys who had kidnapped Parker.

When the SUV pulled onto the Downtown Connector in Atlanta, Chelsey slammed her hand against the steering wheel and cursed whoever was driving that SUV. Of course, they had to get on the most congested highway in the country.Damn them!

It didn’t matter the time of day; traffic was always ridiculous along that stretch of highway. And now it was dark as hell outside as she merged into the bumper-to-bumper traffic. At least the driver probably wouldn’t notice her following them.

Now…all she had to do was stay calm so she could be a help to Parker.

Hang on, baby. I’m right behind you.

Wolf had just gotten home and poured himself a glass of whiskey when he heard his phone ringing in the living room. Instead of rushing to it, he leaned against the kitchen counter and sipped his drink.

It had been another chaotic day, and for the first time in a long time, he was exhausted. Mentally and physically, he didn’t want to do another thing today. He especially didn’t want to talk to anyone.

Pushing away from the counter, he carried his drink into the living room and settled into his leather recliner.

Peace.

Calm.

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