Page 7 of Protected
Ahh hell. This day just keeps getting better.
“In my office. Now!” Mason snapped before disappearing.
As Parker walked back, he debated on how much to tell his boss. Then again, maybe he wouldn’t have to say anything about Chelsey. Maybe Mason hadn’t noticed the tension vibrating between them.
Yeah right. The guys of Supreme weren’t the best of the best for no reason. Not much got by them. Whether they chose to acknowledge a situation was another story.
Parker reentered the office, surprised to see Hamilton Crosby sitting in one of the guest chairs. Dressed in a double-breasted suit, he always looked as if he was heading to a meeting. Which he probably was.
Hamilton, or as most of them referred to him, Ham, was a managing partner, and he and Mason shared some of the same duties. He was normally over the hiring of the security specialist, as well as interviewing potential clients. Lately, though, with how fast the company was growing, he, Mason, and Egypt had been sharing various roles.
“Close the door,” Mason ordered. Parker did as he was told and had barely taken a step before Mason said, “What’s up with you and Chelsey?”
Parker droppedinto the seat. “It’s complicated,” he said after a few minutes.
“Well, un-complicate it,” Hamilton said, “Because in two weeks she’ll be working here full-time. We’re not saying you have to confirm or deny that you two are in a relationship. We don’t want any drama around here.”
Parker didn’t either. All he wanted was Chelsey back in his life, and he’d do whatever necessary to make that a reality. If he got her back…no,whenhe got her back, he wanted them to take their relationship public. For various reasons, not many knew they’d been seeing each other.
Hamilton stood with a file folder in hand. “I only stopped in here to get a signature from Mason, but I couldn’t help but notice that you and Chelsey were in a heated discussion. We don’t have a non-fraternizing rule here, and I’d like to keep it that way. But if you two bring drama here, we’re going to have a problem.”
“Understood,” Parker said, glad that he nor Mason pressed for details on his relationship with Chelsey.
After Hamilton said his goodbyes and left, Mason said, “Now, let’s discuss you getting back out in the field.”
“Good. When can I start?” Parker asked, glad for the change of subject and more than ready to get back to field work.
This morning, he’d been prepared to walk away from the life he had created over the last four years. Not anymore. He was staying and planning to fight to get Chelsey back, while also getting back to the job he loved. He was born to protect people, and Supreme gave him the opportunity to work alongside some great guys. Parker knew he couldn’t walk away from that.
“I want you, Laz, and Ashton to provide security for Jeff Hawkins. I’m not sure if you’ve heard of him, but he’s the CEO of an international ecommerce company. He’s hired Supreme to provide personal security while he attends a fundraiser.”
“Did he say why he needs security?”
“Yeah, he’s received a few threats due to approving the layoff of over 7000 employees a few months ago. He doesn’t expect any trouble Saturday night, but he wants to be on the safe side.”
Parker had heard of the guy shortly after moving to Atlanta. Hawkins had been considered one of Atlanta’s most eligible bachelors, but in recent months, he’d had quite a bit of bad press. A serial dater, it sounded like he was the love-them-and-leave-them type, and women around the world were dragging his name through the mud.
“Hamilton and Egypt vetted him,” Mason continued, “but Ham said the guy is a pompous know-it-all and might not follow protocols. Just so you know, he’s been warned that you guys will leave him to fend for himself if he does anything to put either of you in danger.”
Parker nodded. It always amazed him that people wanted protection, but they weren’t always willing to do what they were told. Not even if it was for their own good.
They talked a few minutes longer with Mason giving him the details about the job. At the moment, Parker didn’t care what assignment he got, he was just glad to get off of desk duty.
Now, if only he could fix the mess with Chelsey. Then his life would be back on track.
He’d think of something. He always did.
Chapter Four
Chelsey rocked back in her uncomfortable desk chair and watched as Gwen Andrews, one of her favorite parolees, completed some paperwork. One thing she wasn’t going to miss when she left this job was her dingy, uninspiring office that was the size of a tuna can.
Okay, maybe that was an exaggeration. For the last three years, she’d had to come to the depressing space and try to encourage and help her parolees get their lives back on track. It hadn’t always been easy, but for the most part, she enjoyed her role in their lives.
She never saw herself becoming a parole officer. Yet, she had decided a few years ago that being a cop wasn’t for her. That’s when she considered working in a different division of law enforcement. Chelsey had found the job opening the day after responding to a triple homicide call. The gruesome sight including a toddler’s dead body positioned partly under a twin-size bed had sickened her.
She wasn’t normally squeamish and could handle seeing lifeless bodies, but that day Chelsey had known that being a cop was no longer for her. She hadn’t wasted anytime applying for the parole officer position. It gave her the chance to stay inlaw enforcement but in a role where she could better help and support people.
Now, here she was again, preparing for another change in her career. She hoped working at Supreme would fulfill her in a way that law enforcement hadn’t. Or at least help her narrow down exactly what she wanted to do with the rest of her life. One thing she knew for sure, being a part of Supreme would challenge her in a way that her current job didn’t.