AllFreeNovel
Share Us
Shit, this woman was what nightmares were made of. But I also respected the hell out of her. That kind of loyalty was exactly what Parker deserved. “You’re scary,” I said.
She crossed her arms. “Correct. And Parker is my best friend. And for some crazy reason, she’s into you. So. Do. Not. Fuck. This. Up.”
I had no intention of fucking it up. On the contrary. I was trying to figure out how to keep her forever. Historically, I didn’t get attached easily. And that alone was how I knew Parker was the real thing. Because the trust and respect and desire that had grown between us so quickly was worth keeping and fighting for.
“Also”—she pointed a finger at my face—“never, ever, stop going down on her. I’ve heard your skills are excellent, but don’t slack off once you lock her down.”
Shit. My cheeks went hot immediately. Should I be flattered that Parker had bragged about my skills? Or embarrassed? Probably both, but I’d focus on the former.
“I can’t believe I’m having this conversation with you.” Every cell in my body was telling me to run far away from this.
“Believe it. You may be a rich, handsome lumbersuit, but no one fucks with my best friend. Hurt her and die.”
I was saved from further discussion by my ringing phone. “Gotta take this,” I said, pulling it from my pocket. Parker had no idea how perfect her timing was. She’d unwittingly rescued me from the clutches of her tiny and terrifying friend.
“Paz, it’s happening,” she shouted on the other end of the phone. “Mrs. Revelle just called me.”
My heart lurched, and my pulse took off at a sprint. “Okay. Slow down and explain.”
“He’s there. Stinger is at the trailer. I’m headed straight over.”
“No. Do not go alone.”
“My camera bag is in the car. I’m gonna get some long-range photos. Confirm it’s Norman, confirm the motorcycle, and see if I can ID any of his associates. If we’re really lucky, our boy Grinder will show up too.”
On the other end of the phone, her voice was high-pitched with excitement. She was so confident that this would give us what we needed to close the loop.
But I felt sick to my stomach. “Parker, it’s not safe. I’ll meet you there.”
“No.” Her voice was firm. “This is what I do, Paz. I can slip in and out. Tonight, we compile everything and hand it over to the feds.”
Every one of my instincts was screaming to go to her, to protect her. To tell her to stop for a minute and work out a plan. But I held back. I had to trust her. And I had to trust myself. We were a team, and she was trained and smart and ready.
“I’ll be waiting here. Text me in an hour. If I don’t hear from you, I’m showing up with the police.”
Her sigh crackled down the line. “Fine. I’ll text you when I get the photos, and then we can plan the next steps.”
I paused, my heart in my throat. My gut was telling me that things were off. I so badly wanted to tell her to be safe, that I loved her, and that I didn’t even care about the investigation anymore if it meant she was safe in my arms. But I couldn’t say that. Not yet.
I couldn’t get in her way. This was her job. And she was great at it. Her words rang in my head. I needed to trust her. It was only a few photos. What could go wrong?
Chapter37
Parker
Iknew it. I fucking knew it. Dumb is gonna dumb. It was only a matter of time before Stinger—or should I say Norman Bernard?—surfaced. I had to see him and confirm the face tattoo, then I could turn everything over to Bryce and the feds.
Did the idea of handing all my carefully collected evidence over gut me? Yes. But it also thrilled me. Because Bryce would know it came from me. And that would have to be enough.
After six weeks of digging and hunting and boring stakeouts. It was time to strike. And though I had a great deal of confidence in my investigative skills, I wasn’t equipped to bring down an international drug cartel on my own.
Nor did I want to. Those kinds of desires belonged to Parker of the past. I was in the business of helping people now. And I was ready to end my professional entanglement with Paz so I could officially start my personal entanglement with him.
As terrifying as that sounded, it felt right. We had a lot of details to hash out, but I had fallen for my grouchy lumberjack, and I wasn’t giving up on him.
As promised, Mrs. Revelle had called me when two motorcycles pulled up to the trailer. It was only two p.m., but it was cloudy, and snow had begun to fall. The perfect type of weather to help me stay concealed while I took photos and got close enough to get a shot of his face.
My plan was to slow roll through the trailer park and find a spot to drop my car so I could sneak up on foot. There were enough tall trees and structures to let me get close without being seen. And if I did end up being spotted, the snow would make it harder to ID me.
