Page 89 of Parker

She had to admit, it was a brilliant plan, really. One Quinn was fairly confident she could do. Not that she was going to tell Victor that.

Especially when the gun he kept reminding her he had would end her life the second she finished the job.

Gotta make the asshole think you’re making progress…just at a snail’s pace.

So far, she’d managed to fool the son of a bitch. But how long would that last?

The question had just rolled between her ears when the door to the room opened, and Victor walked inside. With paper cup of what smelled like fresh coffee, he kept his tone brisk as he moved toward her.

“Where are we?” He sat the steaming cup on the table in front of her.

“I’m still working on it.” Quinn lifted the hot beverage to her lips, knowing it was expected. But it was dangerously hot, so she removed the plastic lid and left it uncovered to cool.

You’ll sleep when it’s done.

Those had been his words, but she wasn’t stupid enough to think he meant them. Not in the usual sense, anyway. No, the sleep Victor had really been referring to was much more permanent.

“It’s taking too long.” An angry growl.

“I told you when I first started this wasn’t a simple hack. It’s not like this is something a bored teenager in his mommy’s basement can pull off. If you want it done, you’re going to have to give me time.”

She’d already fucked over the other targets on his list. Savings accounts, credit scores…if she could access it, Victor wanted it destroyed.

And she’d done it. Quinn had gone against everything she ever stood for and with a few clicks of the keys, she’d ruined those people’s lives. All because they’d done their jobs.

I’ll make it right. If I make it out of this, the first thing I’m going to do is fix everything I’ve broken.

But even as she thought it, Quinn realized the silent promise was a lie. Because the first thing she was going to do—one thing she’d beenlivingfor—was to kiss Parker like crazy.

Andthenshe’d tell him she loved him.

“It’s been two fucking days!” Victor’s pissed off voice echoed around her, his shooting hand reaching around to his lower back.

“Do you want it done right or not at all?” She swung her gaze to his. “Trust me, no one wants this to be over more than me. But if this job were easy, you wouldn’t have needed me to do it.”

“Maybe I don’t need you.” He brought that gun around, it’s barrel pointing right at her head. “Maybe I’ll find someone else to do the job instead.”

“Good luck.” Quinn scoffed. “There are about three other hackers in the world who could pull this off. Two are in Japan, and the other’s in France. So you can shoot me and try your luck finding one of them…or you can quit hovering over me and let me do the damn work.”

In actuality, there were four. But she wasn’t about to put Parker on this maniac’s radar.

Victor looked at the screen and back to her. “Just remember. You try to contact your boyfriend or anyone else, I’ll know.”

“How could I possibly do that when you blocked every route of communication possible on this thing?”

It was impressive, really. Something she guessed Justin had done in preparation of his newest master get-rich-quick plan. Lucky for her, she’d known a way around it.

Guess you weren’t as smart as you thought you were, eh, Justin?

“You’re right.” Victor seemed momentarily convinced. With a one-eighty change in demeanor, he slid the gun back in place. “My apologies, Miss Wilder. I’ll leave you to your work. And if you need anything…more coffee…food…restroom…Richard is right outside.”

“Thank you,” she muttered low.

She hadn’t forgotten the goon was out there, but it was nice to have a face to go with the name. And what a fitting name it was.

Dick the dick.

Hiding a smirk, she tried another sip of the blistering brew, but it was still too hot to be safe.

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