Heroic Measures (Blackbridge Security 6)

“I don’t.”

“Then how do you know he’s a medic? He’s also trained in tactical relief, biomedical, and many other specialties. He’s a very educated, well-rounded man. He can protect you from an angry half-brother who’s pissed you’re dipping into his inheritance.”

“Mr. Morris is fine,” I concede. Arguing further at this point would only draw suspicion. “I met him at the gun range. He was helping Mr. Lake teach the class. I didn’t mean to offend you.”

“Not offended,” Deacon says with a quick shake of his head. “I just didn’t want to put you in the hands of someone that made you uncomfortable.”

In that case, Jude is the very last person you should be sending home with me.

“And what exactly does sending him home with me entail? I haven’t been home for over a week. I need groceries and—”

“He’ll prevent anyone from accessing your apartment, Ms. Maxwell. He’ll be fine standing in the hall.”

I nod my approval because God knows what will happen if that man is closed in a room alone with me. There’s no telling what I’d do.

Chapter 29

Jude

“It’s a pretty simple process. With the vaccine people can—”

“Jude?” I look up to meet Pam’s eyes. “Deacon needs you.”

Up until this point, I’ve been chatting just to kill time, my nervous energy turning into a form of anxious word vomit.

Now that I’m being summoned, my concern for something going on in Parker’s life turns into worry that she’s here to complain to Deacon.

What could she possibly say? I never thought Parker would be the type of person to get upset and vindictive because I ended things between us. The vibe I got from her was more move on to someone else than circle back and cause problems, but what the hell do I know about women?

I do my best to keep my head held high as I stand from the sofa. I don’t think Deacon will fire me for having a sexual relationship with someone who he’d loosely consider a client, but who knows?

I tap tightly on his door before pushing it open. I keep my eyes on my boss instead of letting them roam over Parker. My body itches to look at her to try to sus out what is going on but doing so would show my hand. The other guys are already suspicious, drawing their own conclusions about what has been going on between the two of us.

“Pam said you wanted to see me?” I ask, my voice not as strong as I’d like.

A huffing sound comes from the far side of the room, making me realize Gaige is still in the office. He can see right through me, and the scrutiny he’s casting my way makes the hairs on the back of my neck stand up.

“Jude, this is Parker Maxwell, Hayden’s friend. Parker, you remember Jude. You met at the gun range during the shooting class.”

Now that he’s given me permission to look her way, I give her a weak smile.

“Hello,” she says, her gaze darting away only a second after meeting mine.

“Good to see you again, Ms. Maxwell,” I say as professionally as I can manage.

Gaige chuckles as if he’s well aware just how intimate I’ve gotten with this woman. Is it obvious that I’ve seen her naked, that I’ve made her scream my name and come on my cock more times than I can count?

“Parker is having an issue with a half-brother. I’ll have Wren forward the file to your email, but I’m going to need you to stick close to her until we can get more information on what’s going on,” Deacon explains.

Instead of arguing that it’s not the best idea to put Parker and me in close proximity, I nod in agreement. It’s evident that she hasn’t disclosed our intimacies, so I’m not going to bring it up either. Refusing to work with her would raise too many red flags.

“Wren’s working on it now?” I ask instead, knowing deep down that Wren is purposely sandbagging the release of information, especially if it puts an end to what is happening right now.

The man is always trying to play matchmaker, and I don’t think this situation is any different. He knows I’ve spent time with Parker, and this is just one more way to put us in each other’s paths.

“Okay, Ms. Maxwell. You’re in good hands. We’ll be in touch once we have more information. Listen to Jude, though. If he feels a situation is unsafe, please follow his direction. We want to make sure you’re safe. Pam took your information when you arrived. Expect some paperwork in your email in the next hour or so and get that filled out and sent back as soon as possible.”

Parker stands, and I take a step back to give her room. God, if she even brushed me right now, I don’t know that I’d be able to control myself. I’m already vibrating with anger that she didn’t come to me when her problems started. Was this what she was upset about when I turned her away? How is she more comfortable coming here and hiring Blackbridge to protect her when she had every chance to ask me for help without getting anyone else involved? Does she think so little of me that she’s more comfortable talking with my boss than the man she was having sex with?