Page 19 of Protected
“Because you’re you, and please tell me you were discreet when digging into my life.”
Laz sat back in his seat and wiped his mouth with a napkin. “First of all, I never reveal my sources. Second of all, I’m always discreet, but let me just say, I never would’ve guessed that Maverick Fucking-Wolf Farron was your father. That shit iscrazy, but before I tell you what little I know, what do you know about your father?”
Parker cringed each time Laz referred to Wolf as his father. He hated his sperm donor and everything the bastard stood for. “All I know is that he’s alive, and he’s not in Atlanta.”
That’s all Parker cared about. He wanted to know the moment the asshole took his last breath and until recently, he’d wanted to make sure they were never on the same side of the continent.
Laz nodded. “I know he’s deep in the drug business which has quadrupled over the last fifteen years. That’s partly becausehe’s not just dealing cocaine. He’s connected to a producer of some of the purest fentanyl on the market.”
Parker cursed under his breath. Knowing his father was continuing to get rich while slowly killing people with his products angered him. He had to stop him, which was something he should’ve done years ago.
Soon, though. Soon Wolf would get everything that was coming to him.
“Authorities have tried to connect him with a new cocktail drug that hit the streets of San Diego two months ago. It’s linked to ten deaths already, and authorities fear there will be more. Your father’s name has been tossed around as the supplier. So far, he hasn’t been charged with anything because they can’t make a solid connection. Probably because your father has dirty cops on his payroll. No doubt they’re helping his ass stay out of prison.”
Parker wanted so bad to ask Laz about how he knew any of this, but he’d be wasting his time. “What else do you know?”
“Rumor has it, he partnered up with a gun trafficker a couple of years ago. A guy named T.B. Barron out of Arizona, and he’s been in the game a long time but is currently under federal investigation.”
Hope bloomed inside of Parker, and he sat up straighter. “Does that mean Wolf is also—”
“Nope. He’s not listed in the investigation report. At least not yet. That’s pretty much all I know. What I don’t know is what you did to piss off the Kingz and why they think you’re dead.”
Parker broke eye contact and gave his head a little shake.Damn. The fact Laz knew anything was unnerving.
At least he didn’t seem to know how Parker had gotten free of the Kingz. Meaning, his own contact in the Kingz was still keeping his mouth shut. He and Luis were the only ones whoknew exactly how that went down. Mason didn’t even know that part. At least, not all of it.
“Oh, and does Kenton know you’ve been fucking his sister?”
Anger lit inside of Parker, and he jerked his gaze to meet Laz’s. “Careful, man. Don’t talk about her like that,” he said, hating the way those words sounded coming out of Laz’s mouth. The guy made it sound as if Parker had been using Chelsey for sex, when that was the furthest from the truth.
Laz grinned. “I figured it was more than just sex. Considering how you’ve been moping around here like you lost your best friend. I assume you’re in love with her.”
Parker didn’t respond.
“So, let’s recap. The Kingz think you’re dead. You’re in hiding, sort of. Chelsey has threatened to kick your ass, and she isn’t speaking to you. Then there’s Kenton. Since your ass is still alive, it’s safe to say he doesn’t know about you and Chelsey. Did I miss anything?”
Parker glared at him. “Sometimes I hate you. Who else knows about my past?”
“I have no idea. I haven’t said anything but like me, the guys know something’s up with you, but no one has said anything.”
Parker nodded. “Good. I need to talk to Chelsey first, but once I fill her in, then I need to run something by you and the guys. I want to take Wolf and the Kingz down once and for all, but I might need some help.”
Laz released a long whistle. “Dude,I’m good, but going after the Kingz? That won’t be easy, but you know I got your back and so do the others.”
Parker knew that. He just had to decide if he wanted them to risk their lives and their families’ lives for him.
“Oh, and as for Chelsey, she’s working with us tonight,” Laz said nonchalantly.
Parker stiffened. “She’s not a security specialist.”
Even if she’d already gone through the extensive training, she wasn’t ready. Well, maybe she was ready, but Parker wasn’t ready for her to be on anyone’s detail. Their job might not be as dangerous as a police officer protecting the streets, but they had their moments. When she first mentioned applying for a security specialist position, Parker had hoped she’d change her mind. She hadn’t. Not only had she applied for the position, but she had voluntarily gone through the training.
“What happened to Ashton?” Parker asked. “He was scheduled for this assignment.”
Laz shrugged. “Don’t know. Didn’t ask. But what I do know is whatever shit is going on between you and Chelsey will have to be tabled. The only fights I’m breaking up tonight are those involving our client.”
A noise at the door caused Parker to glance over his shoulder, and he almost swallowed his tongue at the sight before him. Chelsey stood there looking like a wet dream in a red halter evening gown that caressed her curves like a second skin. The fitted garment showed off one long, smooth, shapely leg, and Parker bolted out of his chair, causing it to tip over in the process.