Page 80 of Parker

Oh, Parker. I’m so sorry.

“It was pure luck, really. Some dipshit photog was so desperate to get his big money shot, he camped out for six days straight hoping to get a pic of your new boyfriend. Nice upgrade, by the way. Though I’m not sure how someone like you snagged a rich bastard like that.”

Someone like her.

Two weeks ago, a comment like that would have been a one-way ticket to the past. Not anymore.

“Who’s the man who left me the notes?” Because that same man, at least in part, had destroyed Parker’s home, kidnapped her, and most likely hurt Asher and Sydnee.

Tears filled Quinn’s eyes, but she refused to let them fall. She wouldn’t cry. Not in front of this man.

She also refused to accept that Asher and Sydnee were anything but fine.

They have to be okay. Have. To.

“Don’t remember the guys’ name, and I don’t care,” Justin answered flippantly. “I just told Vic what I wanted the notes to say, and he made it happen. Same with the other.

The other meaning the explosion and abduction.

“Why?” She was starting to feel a bit stronger.

“Why did I tell him what to put on the notes?”

Lord, Jesus.“No, Justin. Why would a guy like Victor McMahon go out of his way to help someone like you?”

What’s good for the goose, you dickless bastard.

But rather than react to her little dig, the man’s gaze filled with excitement. The look on his face was the same as that night, just before he was arrested. “Vic and I made a deal. He agreed to use his contacts on the outside to find you, and his contacts on theinsideto help get us the hell out of that shithole. In return, I told him if he brought you to me, I’d make sure you helped him with a little side job he’s been planning.”

Everyone wants something from me. Everyone except Parker.

Refusing to think about him for fear she’d break down into a blubbering mess, Quinn kept her focus on the conversation at hand. “A little prison quid pro quo, eh, Justin?” She wasn’t surprised in the least. “And what exactly is it McMahon wants me to do?”

“Huh, uh.” Justin shook his head. “Me first. Then Vic.”

Of course.“Fine.” A wave of dizziness hit, but a momentary pause rectified it almost instantly. “What is ityouwant me to do?”

“You’re going to finish what we started.”

What we…

“You can’t possibly be serious.” The look on his face said otherwise. “Jesus Christ, Justin. You’ve been out of prison all of what…” Quinn stopped because she realized she wasn’t actually sure when he’d escaped.

“A week and a half tomorrow.” Justin sounded so proud of that fact.

“Think about that a minute.” She really hoped he would. “You’re already a fugitive from the law. Why the hell would you want to risk this newfound freedom of yours for another scam?”

“Because I have nothing!”His volatile temper made another appearance. “Because ofyou, I have no home, no car…no money. But I’m not stupid, Quinn. I know my ass needs to lay low. But disappearing from the Feds takes cash. And the only way to get the amount I need in the timeframe I have is to steal it. And you’re going to help me do that.”

Quinn started to shake her head, but the increased throbbing reminded her it was a bad idea. “I’m not helping you steal anything.”

“Uh…yeah. You are.”

“I said no.”

“You don’t have a choice, babe.”

“You can’t force me to do a hack, Justin.” Quinn refused to believe he could. “So whatever this grand plan of yours is, count me out.”