Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Chapter 987

"Parker, Bryce is making moves in Empire City. I gotta head back now to protect the kids! Keep an eye on Elaine for me."

That sudden? If it involves Bryce, that scumbag, then it's definitely serious trouble.

Makes sense. Ashton and he both headed back to Maplewood, leaving a bunch of bodyguards behind, but who's to say Bryce won't seize the opportunity!

Thinking of Ludwik's request before he left for Eurovoria, Parker rubbed his temples, feeling a bit guilty.

Lately, his own mess has taken up so much of everyone's time, even making Whitney end up helping him.

As for Ashton... brainwashed by Elaine again. I heard Valerie vanished without a trace after their divorce, and Ashton hasn't sorted out his own mess.

Hoping for Ashton to return to Empire City is like waiting for a pie to fall from the sky.

First, gotta make sure Tiana's safe. But then, Whitney asked him to keep a close eye on Elaine...

While Parker was pondering, a tall shadow approached.

Parker, still focused on his phone, didn't notice until he saw Nolan approaching Tiana, "Parker, Nolan's here."

Parker looked up.

Nolan flashed Tiana a smile before turning back and waving at Parker.

The two men made eye contact.

Nolan looked travel-worn, as if he'd just returned from out of town, wearing a light coat that didn't match the climate of Maplewood.

It had been a while since Parker had seen Nolan.

Must be four or five months now. They had gone together to Empire City to assist Ludwik, but Nolan had to return to Maplewood midway, seemingly after Valerie's disappearance post-divorce with Ashton, Nolan had gone looking for Valerie. The brothers hadn't seen each other or had a proper conversation in a long time.

with a half-smirk, "What brings you back, man? Did

you were in trouble,

back to lend a

couldn't recall. That night he was downcast, seeing Cherry, it was Nolan and Ashton who

flicked a lighter, lighting a cigarette before passing it over, "Your sudden appearances and disappearances, man, what's the

wanna know what the hell is going on

few days, and I hear Elaine's back?

back today, heard Elaine's staying in the hospital, can't

hear Ashton's excuses, just tell me straight, what's going

bit puzzled, "He's your brother. He messes up, but why are you this mad? Is there something else bringing

Indeed, there was.

Big news!

brows knitted together in frustration, urging, "Just tell

the beans about Elaine conspiring with Endora to kidnap his kid, then shaking off the blame and sticking

his foot, his tone icy,

Parker could sense Nolan was holding

you haven't slept in

back

barrage of questions made Nolan pause, but thinking of Valerie's defiance

so determined not to return to Ashton's

doesn't allow

nor did he have the right to. He had no choice but to painfully consider letting go of Valerie, hoping to act as a

Valerie back.

that, Nolan

a pang in her heart but couldn't stop

out

just mentioned Valerie, didn't he?" Tiana anxiously turned to

as clueless but nodded, "He did mention Valerie. Didn't give away much else, but it seems he knows where

Tiana's breath caught, joy

Maplewood without a trace,