Page 93 of Parker

Protection. Safety. Justice.

Those were the things the men of RISC were about. And for them, it didn’t matter that Parker wasn’t an official part of Charlie Team.

These highly trained operatives hadn’t hesitated to help him when asked. Neither had Hunt, Brody, or the rest of Delta Team, who were currently clearing the top two floors.

So far, there’d only been one known threat apart from McMahon. But Ash had taken the bulky bastard out shortly after they’d made entrance.

Justin Reynolds was still nowhere to be seen.

I’ll find you, too, asshole.

“You should listen to Cross.” Winters stared him down. “You go running up those stairs; you’ll probably get your ass shot.”

“I don’t care.” He really didn’t.

“Well that’s a really stupid way of thinking.” Maddox looked over at him as if he’d lost his damned mind.

“Seriously, Collins. I’d listen to them if I were you.” Greyson arched a brow. “I mean, have you ever been shot? ’Cuz that shit hurts like a—”

“Okay!” Parker raised a hand to stave off more reasons why he was being a dumbass. “Jesus, you’ve made your point, all right?” He released the knob and stepped back. “This is your show, I get it. Just…tell me what we’re going to do to keep that bastard from getting away.”

“According to the building’s blueprints, those stairs will give us access to the second and third floors, as well as the roof.” Winters’ tone oozed authority. “Delta’s already working to clear two and three, so we’re going to head to the roof in a single-file line. And your ass stays in theback.”

“I don’t give a shit if I’m first or last, Trace.” Another honest response. “I just want to get myassup those fucking stairs before that son of a bitch hurts Quinn.”Or worse.

With a shared look of understanding, Winters used hand motions to alert the other men before they entered the stairwell and began their ascent.

Single file…with his ass in back.

Every step Parker climbed brought him closer to Quinn. They also ramped up the fear icing through his veins.

For as long as he lived—which would hopefully be longer than just the next five minutes—he’d never get the image of that bastard McMahon holding a gun to her pretty head.

It had only been a glance, a fleeting glimpse of blonde hair and wide, wild eyes. But he’d seen her.

Right before that door pulled shut, he’dseenher. His Quinn. His everything.

And she was fucking terrified.

You kill her; you’re a dead man.

The murderous vow wasn’t one Parker made lightly. Today. Tomorrow. It didn’t matter.

If McMahon did the unthinkable and Quinn didn’t make it out of this alive, Parker would send him to his maker without a wink of sleep being lost.

It’s going to be okay. You’re almost there. She’s going to be okay.

Almost on cue, Asher came to an abrupt stop in front of him. Parker halted his steps, the sound of his own frantic heartbeat filling his ears as he waited for Winters’ silent order to proceed.

A quick glimpse at the gun in his hands reminded him this wasn’t about revenge. Did he want to be the one to end McMahon for good? Absofuckinglutely. But what heneededwas for Quinn to survive.

Just a little longer, sweetheart. We’re here, and we’ve got you.

Parker adjusted the tight hold he had on his Glock’s textured grip. Little known fact about America’s Most Eligible Bachelor…

I’ve been trained for the worst…by the best.

Between the time he’d spent with Asher and the guys at the team’s private shooting range, and the official training he’d been given courtesy of Jason Ryker at Homeland when he first signed on as a freelance consultant, he was more than a little knowledgeable when it came to basic weaponry and combat.

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