Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 89

Parker glanced down at the woman, the chill of his glasses betraying his impatience as he moved to walk past her.

‘Parker?” Tiana piped up, a hint of confusion in her voice. “Did I do something to you? Why are you ignoring me?”

Great, the little ditz had completely forgotten.

His henchmen dared not laugh. This woman had no shame–she had nearly forced herself on Parker that night, leaving his shirt and belt all askew.

As the man strode away coldly, Tiana was left baffled. He gave off a dangerous vibe, ruthless and intimidating; she shivered at the thought. Better to keep her distance, she decided.

Leaning against the wall, Nolan eyed the sweetly clueless woman making her departure and flashed a wicked grin at Parker’s men. “Does Parker have a thing with Whitney’s little friend?”

The henchman chuckled. “A bit, yes. Parker had to take a cold shower afterward.”

Nolan clicked his tongue, gossiping, “Parker, your fiancée never got you all worked up, huh? What’s little Tiana’s secret?”

Parker glanced at Nolan’s charming, playboy face and could not help but sneer. “Laughing at me? Look at yourself. Your beloved gal got scooped up by your big brother, Ashton Fuller, and you’re just gonna keep moping around? Ashton doesn’t even love Valerie; his heart belongs to…”

He trailed off with a mischievous smile. Ashton was their friend, too, but his relationship with Ludwik was fraught with tension, mainly because of a one–sided infatuation with a woman- Elaine. The four brothers were as close as can be, and although Nolan appeared to be a ladies‘ man, he was actually the first to really fall for a girl–Valerie.

Unfortunately, Valerie…

“When are Ashton and Valerie due back from their honeymoon in Maelstrom Country?” Parker inquired.

Nolan’s face darkened. “How the hell should I know?”

Felix drove the car back to the villa.

Whitney stepped out and headed inside, swapping shoes.

The man’s tall shadow loomed over her as he casually blocked her path to the stairs, one hand in his pocket.

Whitney tried to push past, but he effortlessly swept her up in his arms.

Ludwik’s brows furrowed as he ordered Taryn, “Get the first aid kit!”

taken

down at her and said with a deep voice, “I

the couch, sitting on

she flinched under his

tears.

her eyes

panic as he

soft shoulders, his

22:36 173

out of control, oh,

Her grievances.

there” His voice was deep and alluring as he wrapped his arms around her, feeling her tears against his shirt like burning embers on his heart. “I know you were roughed up in jail; that night must’ve been terrifying, and you

his shoulder, biting him hard

the first aid kit as Ludwik soothed her trembling back, applying ointment to her bruises with a

as snow,

still hurt?”

course…” She muttered irritably, “There are more

“I’ll check them later.”

by his tender

mix of pain and tears, feigning annoyance, “You weren’t there when I needed you most. You’re

lips curved slightly; his restraint slipped as he kissed her temple, her

while holding her hand. Her little hands

tightening. Catching her hands, he said, “I get it. I was wrong. Stop hitting me, or

her

flushed

his thoughts were not

abruptly tried to kick him

her small ankle. “You better not kick. Your little punches and kicks might just fan

was both annoyed and embarrassed, unsure how to

pouted, her head

arms, both covered in bruises, were gently held by him. “Did you get a good look at

it.” Whitney

your affairs, but after what she did–getting you locked up, putting

could sense the danger in his tone. However, he was

from the start meant her adversary held significant animosity, rivaling even Monica’s. She wanted to uncover who