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?!

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

to

wide, nervous eyes somewhat adorable, like a little squirrel. He smirked,

Parker raised an eyebrow,

Tiana's legs dipped into

sensation spiked her fear of lurking sharks. "Damn it,

tiger shark,

reminded her of a

partially concealed by his rimless glasses. The Parker she knew was always ruthless

the man before her seemed indifferent, adding a layer of aloofness to his bad-boy

by his sexiness but also infuriated by his taunts, her face flushing with anger.

won't be used by you and your uncle as a cure anymore. Parker, you've disappointed me profoundly. You're heartless. Just stay

words were

permission, you're

to sneaking in here? If you don't explain yourself and think you can take my nephew away, think again." Phineas's voice echoed from afar. Tiana scoffed, "Right, I came here to kill your nephew

just so happened

Can

clearly detecting the sarcasm

as he turned to Parker,

"I won't..."

was at his limit, glaring at the woman in his arms.

of last night were too

body reacted immediately. Annoyed, he threatened, "Still claiming you didn't seduce me last night? Your hands

realize where

she could, she'd chop off her own hand right

turned beet red. "I-it wasn't

snort conveyed his

Tiana's thigh hit the seat, making her

does it hurt?" he

shade of red, unable to articulate her discomfort, and

touched her bruised

frail yet furious demeanor, her cheeks flushed with a touch of red, Parker paused, then awkwardly realized, "Below,

Damn, why did he have to say it out loud? She wished the ground would swallow