Alliance – Chapter 2

His presence shocked her. Good. Parker Ramsey wanted Skylar to understand how dangerous her little game was. While she was ignorant of the fire she toyed with, he could still respect what she attempted to do. Few had the guts to go after Raptor. Including himself, he could count them all on one hand.

Skylar rose to her feet, never wavering in her contemptuous stare.  Was this supposed to intimidate him?  The prom queen put on a trench coat and thought she could pretend to be a criminal mastermind.  She would have to try a lot harder if she wanted to play games with him.  She was out of her league and too clueless to realize it.

“You’re dead.  I watched them put you into the ground.”

“You saw what you were supposed to see, Skylar.  Nothing more.” He curved his mouth into a smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “But it’s touching that you came to my funeral.”

Skylar drew in a shuddering breath before sprinting towards the cover of the trees a few feet away.  He caught her with ease and ducked when she tried to punch him.  It was a good thing, too, because it looked like a solid punch. Considering the company she now kept, knowing how to handle herself was smart. It wouldn’t help her right now with him, but it was smart all the same.

Catching her shoulders, he pushed her back against a tree and restrained both of her hands in one of his, holding them firm against the bark over her head.  With his free hand, Parker undid the top two buttons of the blue button-down shirt peeking out of her coat.  He saw the defiance burning in her sapphire eyes when he put a finger into her bra and pulled out a small recording device.  Why were people always so obvious about it when they wore a wire?

And why did women think their bra was a good place to hide it when that was always the first place men looked?

“What the hell do you think you’re doing?  This isn’t amateur hour,” Parker demanded, releasing her.  “Anyone with eyes and a brain could tell you were wired.”

She buttoned her shirt and shot him an indignant look before answering.  “I was expecting someone else.”

“Really? Who?”

Her eyes bored through him with laser precision and she remained silent.

He shook his head.  “I know you’re going after Raptor and believe me when I tell you he would have killed you over that little stunt.  He is not the sort who appreciates having his conversations recorded.” After a beat, “Neither am I, for that matter.”

“Why is that any concern of yours?” Skylar asked as she rubbed her wrists.  “You asked for this meeting so why don’t you just get to the point already.  I’m not in the mood for your little displays of dominance.”

Little displays of dominance?  She just kept on making this meeting more enjoyable. “Look, Raptor double-crossed me and I’m out for revenge.  You’re probably the only person in this world whose distaste for him can rival my own.  We’re in a unique position to help one another and I think we should take full advantage of this opportunity.”

“Why should I ever trust you?  You’re nothing but a thief.”

“I never said you should trust me.  In fact, you would be a fool to do that, but let’s face reality for a moment.  You may call yourself Songbird and have a few seedy connections, but you’re no criminal.  You’re in over your head if you think you can take Raptor down on your own.  You need me.”

Skylar regarded him with skepticism and resumed her silent routine.

“Okay, I can tell you don’t agree with what I just said, but hear me out.  If I can’t convince you, I’ll walk away and you’re welcome to go get yourself killed on your own.”  Parker paused and glanced around at their deserted surroundings.  Although he’d released her, Skylar remained against the tree, almost as if she was creating distance for protection.  “Why don’t we go someplace a little less secluded to talk?  I can tell you think I’m going to kill you at any moment.”  When she didn’t respond, he rolled his eyes and added, “I’m not, by the way.”

Still no response.

He closed the gap between them, placing his arm on the tree to her left. Leaning his weight against it, he flashed one of his slyest smiles.  “Of course, if you’d prefer to be alone out here with me, I can see potential in that scenario as well.”

Skylar conceded, unflinching.  “Fine.  Meet me at the café on Frankford and the Tollway in five minutes. You get the time it takes me to finish a cup of coffee to convince me.  Those are my terms.”

“Then I’ll see you in five,” Parker replied before turning and disappearing into the trees.

It would be a miracle if he made it through her cup of coffee without bursting into laughter at her tough girl act.

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