Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

Back in Ludwik's hospital room, Parker was packing his bags.

The suite was top-notch, but Parker, here to look after Ludwik, hadn't even

touched the guest bedroom. Instead, he'd crashed on the couch, tossing a

blanket over the cushions. It was a rough setup, but with Parker's rugged good

looks and all-in, ride-or-die attitude, he made it look like a heroic sacrifice straight

out of a buddy cop movie.

Whitney couldn't help but sigh. How lucky was Ludwik, really?

Back in Banyan City, Parker was a big deal-sharp suits, sharper mind, and a

reputation for getting things done, no matter how messy. The guy had people

eating out of the palm of his hand.

Yet here he was, playing bodyguard and nurse for Ludwik, waiting on him hand

and foot...

There was something about that kind of brotherhood Whitney just couldn't relate

to.

Then again, thinking of the things she and her own best friend had survived...

"Oh, by the way, Parker." Whitney tapped the brake on Ludwik's wheelchair and

looked up at Parker, her brows knitting together. "Tiana called me about an hour

ago, but she hung up right away. Did she call you too?"

"She did, actually."

holding his phone-he'd just gotten a text from Tiana, but was

finish packing before reading

quietly unlocked

I tried calling Whitney,

Whitney, but things are a mess. Elaine

absolute witch, and Valerie's daughter ended

meddling, and the kid's treatment isn't

got the

up to Elaine, so Whitney's our only shot.

last another day in Banyan

Exclamation mark and all.

together. He could feel how

barely three months along-definitely not the time to

picking fights.

her, and his lips pressed into a thin line as he started typing

reply-

noticing him

asked, "Did

acted weird-hung up

a message

'called by mistake.'"

Ludwik's sharp gaze across

He asked

After all these years, he and Ludwik understood

other without saying much.

it was

probably guessed Tiana was hoping to ask Whitney for

would Ludwik really let Whitney head back

partner, he

him all this, but not once did

come back.

just too proud to

way, Parker wasn't

"Ludwik's still