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“Rock, what the hell are you up to?” Angelo snapped. “You’re either going to help or you’re not. Don’t be wasting our time.”
“Hey!” Rock slapped his hand on the desk, the sound deep and booming. “You’re the one who called me. I’ll take as much time as I damn well please! You’re all here because you know I can help take Wolf down, maybe even with as little as a few phone calls.” His gaze leveled on Parker. “And you and I bothcome from the streets. Surely, you knew I wouldn’t be doing anything to help you without getting something in return.”
Still holding Chelsey’s hand, Parker returned to the desk. “Again, what do you want?” he bit out, his patience dwindling.
“I want you to oversee my security. Not just my personal security but all my security needs. I have some big projects in the works, and I want someone I can trust and depend on to have my back.”
Parker stood, dumbfounded. Rock didn’t even know him. What made him think he could trust and depend on him?
Granted, it wouldn’t be a hardship for Parker to live in a city that averaged over two-hundred-and-forty days of sunshine a year. And the beaches? Yeah, he could live with that, too.
But working for Rock—who may or may not have gone straight—was too much of a risk. There was a strong chance the man still had his hands in illegal activities. That was something Parker wanted no part of, especially since Chelsey was in his life now. No way would he put her in jeopardy any more than he already had.
“What about Gavin?” Parker asked, as if he was seriously entertaining this crazy idea. “Isn’t he currently over your security?”
“I look out for my boss, but I have enough on my plate without overseeing all of security. Besides, I agree with Rock. You’d be better suited; for more reasons than one,” Gavin said and Rock nodded.
Parker understood exactly what that meant.
Whether Rock had gone legit or not, he’d made a lot of enemies—enemies who might someday try to come for him. Rock could hire anyone to oversee his security, but Parker had something many others didn’t. He had law enforcement as well as criminal experience. A valuable combination in Rock’s world.
Now Parker was the one studying him. There was nothing more dangerous than a smart criminal, and Rock didn’t get to where he was today by being a dummy. No, the man might be ruthless, but he was also good at strategizing.
“Why not hire Supreme Security?” Angelo asked. “You’ve said more than once that they have the best security model you’ve seen, and that you’re impressed with the organization. Parker doesn’t provide personal security outside of Georgia, but there are several guys on staff who do. You’d have your choice of people to be on your detail, and you already know that Mase and Ham hire the best.”
“I agree. I’m seriously impressed with what they’ve built, and I want to create that here…with Parker overseeing it. The main point here is that Parker would head my security. I doubt Mason and Hamilton would let him be here all the time for that. Yes, I’ll want personal security, especially since some of my future business deals will be taking me out of town on day trips here and there.
“But the security team I want to build would be much bigger than that. I recently bought a major record label in which I agreed to provide security for certain artists, and I have several other unrelated deals in the works, including building a resort here in Miami and one in Paris. Both, for averyhigh-end clientele. I’m going to need the best security team money can buy, and I want that team based in Miami withParkerleading it,” he emphasized again.
Well, damn. Now he had Parker curious and if he was honest, a little interested. Yet, his loyalties would always be to Mason.
“Parker, if that’s something you think you’ll be interested in, why don’t you run it by Mason? I know you’re his golden boy so I’m sure he wouldn’t let you leave Supreme easily.”
Exactly how much had Angelo told his brother-in-law? Probably more than Angelo had wanted to, but at least he’d beenable to get them a face-to-face with Rock. Which was more than Parker could have done on his own.
“What if I say no? What would that mean for you helping me with this situation?”
Rock picked up the pack of cigarettes that were on top of his desk and shook one out but didn’t light it.
“I think the real question should be—how bad do you want to destroy Wolf and the syndicate?”
That was an easy question, but Parker kept his mouth shut.
Again, he needed to decide if he was willing to sell his soul to one devil to destroy another. Then again, assuming Rock really had gone straight, would being over his security really be a bad thing?
If he’d really gone straight, this could be an opportunity Parker didn’t know he wanted.
“Think about it overnight and talk to Mason. Then hook up with me tomorrow evening. In the meantime, I’m going to start looking into a few things.”
“What exactly are you looking into?” Parker asked.
Rock chuckled. “And you wonder why I want you as part of my team. Anyone else, out of desperation, would’ve already agreed to work for me. Not you, though. I like that about you,Knuckles. Trying to get as much information out of me before deciding on whether you can trust me. I can respect that.”
Parker stiffened at hearing his street name. Damn, this guy really was good. The only person Parker had given that information to was Chelsey, and he knew she hadn’t shared it with anyone. He didn’t even think Mason knew.
Rock picked up his lighter, but instead of lighting the cigarette, he rolled the gold-plated object between his fingers.
“Are you sure you want to know where I’m planning to start with your father?”