Page 82 of Parker

A slow, sort-of-there smile formed on McMahon’s face. “Justin told me you were strong-willed.”

“That’s one way to put it.” The other man snorted. “I also told her you don’t leave loose ends. That way, at least she knows what’s coming.”

Jesus.There once was a time when this man had listened to her deepest, darkest secrets. A time when they’d been as close as two human beings could get.

A time when he’d told her he loved her…and she’d believed him.

Quinn learned long ago there were only two things Justin loved. Himself and money. But the way he was talking about her death…

It was as if they’d been discussing something as mundane as the weather.

“I supposed you’re right.” McMahon nodded his agreement to Justin’s so-called thoughtfulness. “A personshouldknow when death is upon them.”

The words had barely left the man’s lips when he reached behind his back and pulled a gun.

Quinn gasped, her heart flying right out of her chest.

Please God, no!

This couldn’t be happening. Not now. Not when she and Parker were just getting started.

“Please don’t do this.”

Her low plea was drowned out by Justin’s dramatic, “Whoah! Easy, big guy. I’ll get her to do it, I swear. Besides, if you shoot her, we got no one to do the job and get us the money.”

“You misunderstand, Justin. I’m not going to shoot Miss Wilder.” He slid that gun sideways, it’s barrel pointing straight at Justin’s chest.

“What?” Panic left the man’s eyes wide, his confusion and fear palpable. “Dude, what the fuck are you doing? Put that thing down before someone gets hurt!”

“You said it yourself. A person should see death coming.”

“Nah, man. Don’t do this.” Justin threw a hand up as if he could stop a bullet. “You can have it all, okay? I-I’ll find another way to make money. Seriously, man. You don’t have to do this. You know I’d never tell anyone about this.”

Quinn’s heart stopped as Victor’s finger curled around the trigger. Seeing the slight move as well, Justin’s eyes grew wide as saucers.

“Victor, wait!” the desperate man shouted.

At the same time, Quinn heard herself screaming, “Don’t!”

But their objections had come a half-second too late.

Victor McMahon had already pulled the trigger, his bullet piercing Justin’s heart on impact. Quinn watched in horror as his body jerked from the impact before crumbling to the floor below.

He was dead.Dead.And when Victor turned that gun back on her, Quinn knew this man would eventually kill her, too.

15

RISC Charlie TeamHeadquarters

Richmond, VA

Two days later…

“Anything?”

Parker’s fingers froze over the keyboard, his chest tightening with remorse. Rather than look up at the source of the question, he simply changed the focus of his eyes from the data on the screen in front of him to the reflection of the man standing behind him.

“You should be at home. With Sydnee.”

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