Page 35 of Parker

With a simultaneous step, they started moving toward her. On instinct, Quinn’s shoulders moved back, her spine stiffening with the first tingles of another fight-or-flight response. But Parker saw this and lifted a hand, the men’s simultaneous steps halting mid-stride with the silent order.

Guess money really does equal power.

Clearing her throat, Quinn did her best to explain her volatile behavior. “Look, I know it sounds stupid, but…the ByteMe69 I know is an accountant for a Fortune 500 company. At least that’s what he sai—” She shook her head and motioned toward him. “That’s whatyou’ve been telling me for the past year. I mean, you said I could trust you, but if you lied about your job, how do I know you didn’t lie about everything else?”

The stories about his neglective parents and being bullied in school for being a nerd. His business trip antics and the fact that he had no one special in his life…

“You’re right.” Parker shoved his hands into his jeans’ pockets. “I absolutely lied about my job, and I shouldn’t have. Not with you.”

“So why did you?”

“Wouldn’t you, if you were me?” His intense gaze searched hers for more answers.

Quinn considered this a moment but shook her head. “If you were embarrassed about playing a game that’s not up to par with the ones you make, why play it in the first place?”

“Nope. My turn.” He gave her car a sideways glance and frowned. “What happened tonight, Jinx?”

The change of subject was an abrupt reminder of why he was here in the first place. It also made her feel like an ungrateful bitch.

Parker could have arrived with an entourage of personal assistants or some fake, too-skinny model to meet his pathetic, far-from-famous nerd of a friend. He could have shown up with a camera crew, or tipped off the paparazzi. Used her situation to put a shine on his popular but tarnished image.

Quinn could see the headlines now…

Parker Collins, Player or Protector?

Thatcouldhave been how tonight played out, but he didn’t do any of those things. Instead, he’d dropped everything to get to her.

White lies aside, this man—this super rich, seriouslyfamousman—had traveled two hours on a moment’s notice, not because he thought it would benefit him. He did it for her.

And he brought reinforcements.

Quinn looked over at the two men Parker had introduced as Christian and Brody. Standing several feet away, their stances were firm, eyes on their surroundings.

“Jinx?”

She swung her gaze back to his, heat warming her chilled cheeks. “Sorry.” A small, nervous huff of a breath. “There was a man in my house tonight.” The masked face appeared before her, but Quinn pushed the intrusive image away. “He, uh…” She licked her lips. “He was wearing a mask, and he had a gun.”

“What?”Parker’s alarmed tone grew lethal, his near-perfect features darkening with worry and anger. “Jesus. Are you okay?” His hands went to her shoulders, worry flashing through his assessing eyes. “Did he hurt you?”

Quinn’s gasp was audible, the electric pulse from his firm but gentle touch stealing the air from her lungs. Mistaking the source of her reaction, he immediately dropped his hands and removed himself from her personal space.

“Shit.” Parker shook his head with regret. “Sorry.”

She opened her mouth to tell him he hadn’t hurt or offended her but changed her mind last-second. This wasn’t about that. Not that she’d have a chance with someone like him if it was.

Focus, Q.

“The man with the gun didn’t hurt me,” Quinn reassured him. “I never really gave him the chance.”

“What do you mean?”

A cool breeze had her pulling the front halves of her jacket together. “He was in my kitchen, and there was a half-bottle of wine close by. I waited until he came within reach, and then I grabbed the bottle and hit him over the head. He went down, and I ran into my garage and got into my car. Luckily, I had my keys and phone in my pocket, but my purse, my wallet, my tablet and computers…they’re all still back at the house.” She looked down with an embarrassed chuckle. “I didn’t even think about the fact that I wasn’t wearing any shoes. I just smashed through the garage door and got the hell out of there.”

Another inaudible curse traveled through the air. “I’ll get you some shoes.” Parker’s gaze intensified as he added, “And anything else you need.”

Her heart did that same pitter-patter thing it did when they’d be chatting, and he’d cross that line between friendly and flirty. Only he wasn’t flirting with her now. He was being serious.

Which was even hotter than the flirting.

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