Page 45 of Parker
“Morning,” she mumbles sleepily as she snuggles into my chest. “What are our plans today?”
“Whatever my award-winning wife wants to do.” I drop a kiss on her forehead.
She chuckles. “Joel, it wasn’t just me. The entire team made that happen, years of experience at my back for support.”
“Baby, just enjoy the moment. Take the credit. In a few weeks, this will be forgotten. You’ll be drowning in fabric again.” She smiles up at me, soft and satisfied. “Do you fancy going out for a meal? Only us. We’ve both been so busy with work. We’re always surrounded by other people.”
“Like a date?” she says.
“I suppose so.” Her eyes are bright with excitement. “Do you have any requests, or should I book somewhere?”
“Anywhere. As long as I have you all to myself.”
***
Monday morning, and financial documents and paperwork pile up on my desk. My role as financial director isn’t only limited to the fashion house. My mother and I oversee the whole Parker empire with the support of our trusted team. Since my father died, there have been plenty of bumps in the road, but we now have a tight grip on the proceedings.
As to be expected with a family like mine, not everything is legitimate. Some things I’ve learned to swallow whole, moral or not. It’s the price of my last name.
Nicky knows we have other businesses but shows no interest. My wealth isn’t important to her. She loves me and her work, and it’s why I love her implicitly. She always presents you with an authentic version of herself. In my eyes, she’s everything I’ll ever need.
A knock at the door distracts me from the complicated spreadsheet I’m studying.
“Come in.”
“Morning, boss,” Boyd says as he enters. “Got a minute?”
“Sure, Boyd. What’s up?”
He falls into the seat across from me and rubs his hand on his chin.
“Well, it’s obviously not good news you have for me,” I say, and he chuckles.
“If I ever appear with good news, you’ll know it’s not me.”
I shake my head, but keep my lips sealed tight. I know what’s coming out of his mouth before he says it. “There was another incident at Guilty Secrets. The patron ended up with a broken leg.”
“Do I know the poor bastard with the mangled limb?” I mutter.
He swallows audibly, then nods. “Lorenzo Worth.”
“Fuck’s sake, Boyd! He’s been making my life a living hell since I left his sister at the altar. How the hell did he get in?” I snarl, furious. “It won’t be the police that’s our problem. His father will seek revenge in blood. What did he do?”
“Started an argument over a girl. He doesn’t like to share, even though he only paid for an hour.” There must have been more to it than that. I stay silent until he volunteers more information. “The argument escalated, leaving the girl caught in the middle.”
“That doesn’t explain how Lorenzo ended up with his injury.”
Boyd blows out heavily through his nose. “One of our men took it personally.”
“Who?” I snap, then stop myself. I don’t want a name. If I don’t know, then I won’t be forced to act. “Is the girl okay?”
“Yeah, she’s fine. Just a bit shook up,” he says with indifference. To our team, the girls who work the clubs are commodities, not people. I find that hard to stomach. “Do you want to see Drayton? He’s letting security slip. Maybe he needs a sharpen up.”
“Bring him here. Tonight.” I rub the bridge of my nose. “We can’t afford another mistake.”
Without waiting for further instruction, Boyd stands and leaves. He knows what he has to do. We need to tighten the ship before it sinks.
***
