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?!

second of consideration, Tiana's resolve wavered as she clung tighter to Parker's neck, albeit subtly. "I-I'm not scared

to

glanced at her, finding her puffed-up cheeks and wide, nervous eyes somewhat adorable, like a little squirrel. He

eyebrow, deliberately loosening his

what are you doing..." Tiana's legs dipped into

her fear of lurking sharks. "Damn

shark, and you're panicking?" His lips

mischievous and careless demeanor reminded her of a rascal teasing a

concealed by his rimless glasses.

under the moonlight, the man before her seemed indifferent, adding

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

used by you and your uncle as a cure anymore. Parker, you've disappointed me profoundly. You're heartless. Just stay here and

words were laced

permission, you're

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

so happened he

explained. Can I

was speechless, clearly detecting the sarcasm in

turned to Parker, "Bring

"I won't..."

in his arms. Did she even realize where her hands were

it, the memories of last night were too vivid in

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

down, mortified to realize where her hand

she could, she'd chop off her own

beet red. "I-it wasn't on

snort

hit the seat, making her wince in

does it hurt?" he

unable to articulate her discomfort, and

touched

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

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