Parker: A Reed Security Romance

them angrily, shooting them a nasty look before heading for my car. Once inside, I gripped onto my necklace that held the USB drive with the information I had just lost my job over. My boss thought that he had won tonight, but he shouldn’t have underestimated me. I never backed down once I sunk my teeth into a conspiracy. And that paperwork had conspiracy written all over it. And now, I suspected that my boss was more involved than he let on.
After pulling into my driveway, I quickly killed the engine and raced inside. I wasn’t sure how much time I had, but it couldn’t be much. I ran upstairs and threw together a bag, shoving in clothes and running to my safe for my spare guns and cash. I only had a few thousand in cash, but it would have to do for now. I could make it stretch for a while, but withdrawing cash from my account would be a little more tricky. I didn’t want to lead the FBI to my doorstep, but if I could get to the ATM down the street, I could get an extra two thousand dollars. That would mean the difference of weeks on the run if I played my cards right.
I snatched my laptop and stuffed it into its case, then pushed that into my bag. I would have to travel light, leaving all of my personal effects behind. Except for my mother’s jewelry. There was no way I was leaving that behind. I quickly pulled her wedding ring and her favorite earrings from my jewelry box and put them into a jewelry bag. I left my phone on the dresser and pulled a burner phone from the top drawer.
Headlights flew down the street signaling that it was time for me to go. I glanced out the window to see three sets of headlights barreling toward the end of the cul-de-sac. Racing down the stairs, I ran out the back, making sure I stuck to the shadows as I ran toward the street behind me. After living here for five years, I knew where all the cameras were and easily moved away from them, making sure not to leave any trace of where I was going.
Twenty minutes later, I was opening my storage unit that was listed under an old friend’s name. I kept supplies here and a car that was registered to him, just in case. I grew up in a paranoid household and going into the FBI for work only made my paranoia grow.
I loaded up my car with my small armory and tossed my bag inside. When I was sure that I hadn’t been followed and no one was watching me, I pulled out of the unit and took off down the road, heading out of town.

Chapter Four


Parker
I have a job for you.
I stared down at the text for the second time tonight. I had been receiving little messages like this from an unknown number for a few days now. I knew who they were from. He had already called me several times, asking to meet with me, but I wasn’t interested. I’d already dealt with him once before and I wasn’t going back to that lifestyle. It just wasn’t for me anymore.
“Hey, you have five minutes, man.”
“Thanks,” I nodded, jumping up and down to get my blood flowing. I had been coming to this underground fighting ring for the last six months, earning whatever money I could. I tried getting a normal job, but I hated it. Not that I could get a good paying one anyway. I had so much anger flowing through me that I needed to unleash it. But with a dishonorable discharge, I was limited in how I could do that. One wrong move and I was up shit’s creek.
I walked out of my dressing room and down the hall to the arena. I felt my blood really start pumping as the announcer called my name. The crowd was loud tonight, just the way I liked it. It drowned out all the shit in my head, leaving me with a peaceful feeling that I only got when I was in the ring. I had become a favorite over the past few months, winning every single time I fought. But I had a trick, one that many of the other fighters would never have. I didn’t care what fucking happened in that ring. I was there to release energy and take out my opponent. I didn’t care about the money or the status. I didn’t care if it got me recognized by some big boxing scout. All I cared about was losing myself in the chaos of the ring.
Some said I was reckless. Others said I was merciless. The truth was, I just went in there to kick ass. I always bet on myself, as much as they would let me anyway, and I never gave a shit about what any of the other boxers said about me. Trash talk just rolled off my back.
The lights were bright as I stepped into the ring. The referee went over the rules and had us bump fists. I barely felt his gloves touch mine before I moved into my corner. The other boxers had a coach. I had no one. I didn’t need anyone, and I never would. The bell rang and I charged forward. Chaos took over and my mind finally went to a more peaceful place.
“You looked good out there. Ruthless,” he said from the doorway of my dressing room. I was unwrapping my hands and cooling down from the fight. Usually, everyone knew to stay away from me after a fight. I got the impression that Knight never did what anyone expected. I ignored him as he walked into the room and shut the door behind him, taking a seat as he waited for me to say something. He’d be waiting a long fucking time.
“I have a