Page 26 of Parker

Quinn’s face did crumble then. God, how she wanted that to be true. More than anything.

But the same old fears and insecurities from her past battled with the overwhelming desire to let this man in. To trusthim.

“Sweetheart, please.” ByteMe69’s heartfelt plea cut through her indecision to reach her. “I’m right here. You just have to talk to me.”

She opened her mouth to respond, but closed it again, unable to let go of that last bit of control.

“What do you need, Jinx? Name it, and it’s yours.”

The confidence in his open-ended offer was unyielding, as if he believed he had the power to make her wildest dreams come true. But there was only one dream. One thing she needed above all else….

“You,” she whispered before she could talk herself out of it. Just to make sure he understood, Quinn added a stronger, steadier, “I need you.”

And then she held her breath and waited.

4

One hour,forty-three minutes later…

Parker staredat the black abyss through the small oval window to his left, those three little words filling his head for the millionth time.

What do you need? Name it, and it’s yours.

You. I need…you.

Jinx had sounded so small. So vulnerable.

And so very un-Jinx-like.

He had no idea what kind of trouble she was in or why she felt unsafe. Those were all things they’d get into later. Right now, the only thing that mattered was his friend was alive.

She was alive and, according to her, uninjured. And she was fucking terrified.

Are you safe?

No.

The second he heard what he’d already suspected, Parker’s decision was made. It hadn’t mattered that, in that moment, he still hadn’t a clue where she was calling him from. He hadn’t cared.

Jinx could have told him she was in Timbuktu, and his answer would have been the same…

I need…you.

Done.It hadn’t even been a question.Where are you?

Chicago.

So much closer than he’d expected.

Give me two hours, and I’ll be there.

Two hours? W-where are you?

Doesn’t matter. You just keep yourself safe until I get there. Can you do that, Jinx?

Yes.

Good girl. Now, listen…I need to put some things in motion so I can get to you. Text me the address where you’ll be. And if something happens, and you need to change locations, let me know ASAP. Got it?

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