Page 79 of Parker
“Because what?” I raise my eyebrows at her. She’s like a fucking dog with a bone.
“Now you’re pissing me off. Why does it bloody matter? I told you it’s not important. She’s not important.” I run my hand through my hair in frustration. Her eyes never leave my face.
“Bet you don’t miss the wife nipping your head with questions,” she says, voice soft.
“Nicky,” I say, “I miss you with every fiber of my being. I would leave everything behind in a heartbeat if I could. If it meant you came back to me.”
She gapes. “Don’t say things like that,” she whispers. “Joel, I can’t be broken again. I can’t go back there. Losing you hurts too much.”
Forgetting where we are, I pull her toward me, and she submits willingly. My lips drop to hers, and her hands wrap around my neck.
The click of the camera interrupts the moment. I turn to see a photographer running in the opposite direction. Bastard paparazzi. Nicky jumps from my arms, her eyes wide.
“No,” she says viciously. “We can’t allow this to happen again. Too much is at stake.”
“Like our hearts?” I plead with her. “Nicky, we’re miserable without each other. Surely we can try again. We’ve both made mistakes.” She shakes her head frantically. “But I love you, and you love me. That’s all that matters.”
“No,” she repeats. “You move in dangerous circles. You’re a powerful man. I can’t take the risk, no matter how much I want to.”
“I don’t understand,” I beg her. “Please just think about it.”
Moving back toward me, she cups my face with her palm. “It will always be you, Joel. No matter how powerful you become, how many rumors I hear of your ruthlessness, or who I meet in the future. You’ll always be the hero who saved me from me and showed me life is worth living.” She stands on tiptoe and kisses my cheek. “I wish things had turned out differently for us.”
She walks away, toward the party without looking back, and all I can do is watch.
Chapter thirty-six
Govan Shipyards, Glasgow
Joel
The warehouse is a hive of conversation. All the Parker men have congregated for an emergency meeting. Drayton, who seemed to be a small inconvenience, has been popping up and causing problems more regularly than I like. Normally, when a man breaks away, they have a few misguided attempts at overthrowing us, then give up or are taken out.
But Drayton is gaining speed. More of my men are injured, and more of our operations are interrupted as the weeks pass. Last week, his men crashed one of the clubs and aggravated the patrons. He’s growing in numbers and strength, his path forward needs to be stopped – now – before he does real damage.
I stand in the center of the warehouse, on top of a pickup, with my men all circled around me. Men with weapons guard every door and the road to the deserted building. I raise my arms. They all fall silent.
“Men,” I bellow. “Jacob Drayton remains at large. He’s actively recruiting, and a direct threat to us all. All our premises have been instructed not to permit entry to him or any of his known associates. If any of you in this hall are moving to Drayton’s mob, go now. If you’re found to be conspiring with him after five minutes have passed, then you will meet a watery grave.”
I scan the room, looking for guilty faces.
“If you want to switch sides, fuck off. We won’t attack or shoot until the next time we lay eyes on you.”
Cooke moves, then hesitates, his focus on the door. Boyd sees it as I do. I know his life will end tonight. He will walk out of this warehouse, but never through his front door. Boyd’s nod to me seals the man’s fate.
“Boss,” a heavy-set member at the front with rows of tattoos shouts. “Do we know what he wants?”
“Power,” I reply, simply. “Drayton wants what every man wants. Control. Power. To direct a team. Be the most feared man in Glasgow. But we will not allow him that. Parkers will remain on top. Those not with us are enemies.”
A murmur of agreement bubbles under the surface. No one leaves. No one would be brave enough, even if they wanted to.
“Boyd will distribute your specific instructions. Protect the family and our dependents. Thank you all for your loyalty.”
***
Nicky
“You’ll not get away with long floaty tops and dresses much longer. I’m surprised you’ve hidden it this long,” Sophie says with a smirk. I stare down at my six-month pregnant belly.
