Page 58 of Protected
Hearing Angelo’s confusion reminded Parker that Rock knew all along his connection to Kamora. He wondered what else the former drug lord knew.
After introducing Kamora to Angelo, Parker gave an abbreviated version of their past. He made it clear that he andKamora had never been a couple. They’d just been two people who had befriended each other and realized they had a lot in common.
“We attended the same high school and had a few classes together. During a conversation, I realized she was indirectly connected to the Euclid Disciples, the Kingz’ biggest competitor.”
“Despite that, we formed a friendship of sorts,” Kamora added. “Then one day, I showed up at school with bruised ribs, and Parker asked what happened. My brother had used me as a punching bag the night before, and I was ready to get away from him but didn’t know how I could.”
Parker was glad she hadn’t mentioned that he had offered to take her brother out. She hadn’t wanted him to get involved for fear Calvin, who was ten years older and just as ruthless as Wolf, would try to kill him. With her brother being her guardian, Kamora hadn’t wanted to make him mad because she had no one else. Their parents had died, and she’d been left with her drug lord brother.
“When we planned to start a war, Knuckles and I… Sorry, I mean Parker and I had a meetup location planned for that night. The plan was to leave California together, and then eventually go our separate ways.
“When you didn’t show,” she said, looking at Parker, “I knew I had to come up with a backup plan. So I reached out to a cousin in LA and paid him to give me a ride to Vegas. I figured I could get lost there for a while.
“He was the only one who knew where I was, and he thought I was visiting a friend. He had no clue I had run away from my brother. Nor did he know anything about me setting the Disciples up for war.
“When Calvin put the word out that I was missing, my cousin told him where I was.”
Parker already knew this story was going to get worse before it got better. When Kamora stopped speaking and shook her head, his gut clenched.
If only he could’ve helped get her out of San Diego as planned. What she must have gone through…
He didn’t want to think about it. When searching for her, he had learned that her brother was dead. He hadn’t known when or how, but…”
“This is where I came in at.”
Parker’s attention jerked to Gavin, who had been quiet up to this point. Actually, neither he nor Rock had said anything for the last few minutes.
“Rock and I were in Vegas on business. Let’s just say we found Kamora in an alley before that piece-of-shit brother of hers could do even more damage to her.”
Kamora snorted. “He’s being modest. They saved my life.”
As she recounted how Calvin and his friends beat on her, Parker was taken back to that night with Wolf in the warehouse. He wouldn’t wish that type of bodily punishment on anyone. Especially not a woman; or in her case, a young lady.
A stab of guilt pierced Parker in the gut. He had failed her. She had only been sixteen and so desperate to be free of her brother. She had gone along with his war idea probably without considering all the ramifications.
“I’m just glad he’ll never be able to hurt anyone else,” Kamora said. “Gavin took care of that.”
Parker glanced at Gavin who seemed to only have eyes for Kamora. Interesting. There was at least a ten-year age difference between the two, but it was clear there was more than just friendly interest in Gavin’s eyes.
Parker was getting ready to ask her more questions—like what role did she play in Rock’s organization—but Rock cleared his throat.
“Maybe you two can catch up later. For now, Kamora, what did you find out about Wolf’s assets?” Rock asked.
“Right.” Kamora carried the file folder as well as a laptop over to the table in the corner, and everyone followed. She spread the contents of the file across the table and logged into the computer. There were photos of homes, cars, offshore accounts information, stash houses, and a host of other documents.
Unease swept through Parker. How had she gotten all this information? Had it been legally attained? Instead of asking, he listened as she gave details about where Wolf’s personal homes were located. Anger rolled through Parker when he realized two homes were in his mother’s name. One in Puerto Vallarta and another in Cancun.
As Kamora continued filling them in on everything, he faced the fact that he had clearly underestimated his father. Parker had managed to dig up some of this information over the last few months, but there’d been so much he hadn’t found.
Concern crept in. Would they be able to take Wolf and the Kingz down without ending up in jail?
Or worse…ending up dead?
As if reading his mind, Angelo said, “Remember, we agreed to do this legally. We all have contacts we can reach out to, but we must ensure they operate aboveboard.” He looked pointedly at Rock.
“Man, how many times are you going to remind us?” Rock said, irritation in his tone.
“As many times as it takes,” Angelo responded without missing a beat.