Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 732

Fugitive?

Tiana felt so enraged she could spit blood. She had definitely let her guard down in a moment of sheer frustration thanks to her scumbag uncle and cousin. Now, they had her cornered. She could see their henchmen, a hundred meters away, shining flashlights in her direction.

Panicking, Tiana turned on her heels, ready to make a run for it.

"Freeze!" Parker's voice, cold yet somehow laced with a dangerous allure, cut through the night air. "Where do you think you're going?"

Before Tiana could utter a word, Parker, tall and imposing, dashed towards her with the speed of lightning.

Tiana, frightened by Parker's ferocity, stepped back until her feet hit the cold seawater, shivering from the chill. "Parker, are you even human? How could you side with your uncle to capture me?

I didn't even confront you about last night or your accusations this morning.

What more do you want?

Let me tell you, if you force me to go back, I'll jump into the sea right now and end it all...ah!"

Before she could finish, Parker was already in front of her, sweeping her off her feet in one swift motion.

"Ah! Let me go! I don't want your kind of help!"

"Enough already. You're so noisy," Parker retorted, his peachy eyes showing a hint of cold indifference. "Put me down!"

"And let you jump into the sea?" He scoffed, detached.

"I refuse to be taken back by you!"

"Do you think I want to bring you back? If it weren't for my uncle pressuring me... Besides, this island is home to wild beasts, and the sea is infested with sharks. Are you sure you want to spend the night here and end up as a pile of bones?" Tiana glanced nervously at the sea behind her, shivering at the thought.

Sharks in such shallow waters? Was he bluffing?

"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."

Parker's eyes narrowed slightly. "Ever heard of the infamous tiger sharks of Saltland Island? They can swallow a person whole."

Damn.

Tiger sharks?!

as she clung tighter to Parker's neck, albeit subtly. "I-I'm not scared of your scare tactics! You think

refused to admit her

cheeks and wide, nervous eyes somewhat adorable, like a little squirrel. He smirked, "Then perhaps you shouldn't cling to me

an eyebrow, deliberately

Tiana's legs

spiked her fear of lurking sharks. "Damn it, Parker, why are

Just a tiger shark,

mischievous and careless demeanor reminded her of a rascal

he was too handsome, his playfulness only partially concealed by his rimless glasses. The

moonlight, the man before her seemed indifferent, adding a layer

flushing with anger. "Are you done?" "Are you getting in or

to hell." Tiana exploded. "Last night was a mistake. I won't be used by you and your uncle as a

words were laced with

you're not

you can take my nephew away, think again." Phineas's voice echoed from afar. Tiana scoffed, "Right, I came here to kill your nephew as

so happened he

explained. Can I

detecting the sarcasm

as he turned to

"I won't..."

the woman in his arms. Did she even realize where

the memories of last night

slight touch from her, and his body reacted immediately. Annoyed, he threatened, "Still claiming you didn't seduce me last night?

looked down, mortified to realize where her hand had

off her own

red. "I-it wasn't on

snort conveyed his

Tiana's thigh hit the seat, making her wince in pain. "Why did you throw me? That hurts, you

hurt?" he asked,

even deeper shade of red, unable to articulate her discomfort,

she touched her bruised

with a touch of

why did he have to say it out loud? She wished the