Page 4 of Protected

Yes, Parker hated working the front desk. All the security team did. It was a mindless job, but someone had to do it. Years ago, after a threat on Egypt’s life, a new rule had been implemented. There were to be armed security working the front desk 24/7. Prior to that, it had always been receptionists who monitored the entrances and the guests who entered the building.

But Parker wasn’t cut out for desk work every day. He had moved to Atlanta from Chicago after spending years as a SWAT officer and a weapons specialist. A job he loved. The adrenaline rush, the energy, the danger. All of it. He had come here at Mason’s request to join his Atlanta’s Finest team. It ended up being the best decision Parker had ever made.

“I agree that having you monitor the front desk is a waste of your skills,” Mason said. “However, it’s the safest place for you right now.”

Mason’s cell phone, sitting face down on the desk, beeped, and he sighed as he glanced at the screen.

“I hate when Egypt’s away from her desk. She hired a few new people and she’s in the process of orientating them. She told me that I’m on my own for the rest of the afternoon. Meaning I need to take care of this.”

Parker released a silent sigh. So much for getting in and out. “All right. I can—”

“You can stay right where you are. We aren’t done.” Mason headed for the door but stopped and glanced over his shoulder. “When I return, we’ll talk about how you’renotgoing anywhere. You don’t get to walk away from us, Parker,” he said, his tone hard and unwavering like the boss he was. “We’re family and we stick together. You’re protected. I wish Wolf’s ass would show up here, because if he comes for you, he’ll be coming for all of us. We both know that’s a fight that won’t end well for him. Now sit your ass down until I come back.”

Stunned, Parker stood as he watched the man who he admired more than anyone in the world walk out the door and close it behind him.

Well, damn. I guess he told me.

Chapter Two

Parker dropped down into one of the guest chairs. Considering he had walked in there confident about his decision to leave Atlanta, now he wasn’t so sure. If he was honest with himself, he didn’t want to leave. He just thought it was the best decision to make sure he kept hisfamilysafe.

He rubbed his chin and glanced out the window that was behind the desk. Maybe there was nothing to worry about. Maybe he was freaking out for no reason. He had carried the burden of his past around for years, and it hadn’t stopped him from living the life he desired. He had moved around the country for a while before settling on Chicago. He loved the city, and he had enjoyed being a SWAT officer.

Now that he resided in Atlanta, he felt like he was finally home. Even still, he was always alert, careful, and on guard. Yet, somehow, he’d managed to end up in a photo. Granted, he’d been on a high-profile case and they’d been ambushed by the media, but still, he should’ve been aware of the cameras.

Parker shook his head. Continuing to stay in Atlanta would be a risk, but it wouldn’t be the first risk he’d ever taken. Hell, he usually lived his life on the edge. This would be no different.

But what about Chelsey?

If he was staying, Parker had to make things right with her. His stupid ass shouldn’t have broken things off in the first place. At least not without telling her why. At the time, he honestly thought he’d been doing the right thing. The less she knew about his past, the better. He also thought he would’ve left town by now, but no matter what he told himself, he wouldn’t have been able to leave without her.

So if he did end up staying, he needed to come clean with her, and the guys he worked with. The guys who were more like brothers than co-workers.

Noise outside the office had Parker turning toward the closed door.

“Chelsey, I know what I said, and you did an excellent job on that assignment we gave you last weekend, but you still need more experience,” he heard Mason say.

“Come on, Mase. The best way for me to get experience is by joining the security team and you giving me more field work. If I did such a good job at that party last week, why not hire me as a security specialist instead of an office assistant? Besides, you said yourself that you could use more women on the team.”

Parker stiffened at hearing Chelsey’s melodic, breathy voice. It was as if his thoughts had conjured her up.

A moment later, the door opened, and Mason strolled in, giving Parker a head nod as he continued to his desk.

Chelsey stomped into the room behind him. “You know I’m right. I…” Her words trailed off and she pulled up short just inside the doorway.

It was as if everything around them faded to black and they were the only ones left in the space. Parker had seen her from a distance, but this was the first time in weeks that he was close enough to breathe the same air as her.

His gaze slid slowly over her, and his body responded immediately. Increased heart rate. Pulse pounding in his ears.Sweaty palms. She was the most beautiful woman he knew. Her naturally curly hair was pulled back from her gorgeous face with a bedazzled headband, and the rest of her puffy curls hung free to her shoulders.

He liked when she wore her hair like that. It gave him a clear view of her smooth mocha skin, high cheekbones, and her bow-shaped lips.

Parker skimmed the rest of her body, from her low-cut red blouse to her dark pants that hugged her hips and covered her long legs. At five-feet-eight, she was the tallest woman he’d dated, anddatedwas being used loosely. Actually, she was the only woman he’d ever gotten serious with. The others were just women he hung out with.

Parker’s eyes met her dark ones, and his heart kicked inside his chest at the vulnerability he saw in them.

Then she nibbled on her lower lip, and damned if his dick didn’t twitch. He wanted to be the one nibbling on her gorgeous lips and other parts of her. In that moment, he wanted her more than his next breath. Of course, his body was on full alert and energized by every move she made.

All he could do was stare at Chelsey Bailey—the woman who held his heart in the palm of her hands and probably didn’t even know it. But he was fairly sure she hated him, and rightfully so.