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."

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

packing before reading

he quietly unlocked his

message read: "Parker, I tried calling Whitney, but Valerie

me to bother Whitney, but things are

absolute witch, and Valerie's daughter ended

Fullers. Elaine keeps meddling, and the kid's treatment

Valerie, and he's got the

Ashton won't stand up to Elaine, so Whitney's our only

last another day in

Exclamation mark and all.

drew together. He could

barely three months along-definitely not the time to

picking fights.

his lips pressed into a

reply-

him

"Did Tiana text

She acted weird-hung up

sent a message saying

'called by mistake.'"

over, meeting Ludwik's

He asked

lowered his eyes. After all these years,

other without saying much.

it

probably guessed Tiana was hoping to ask Whitney

Whitney head back to Banyan City

a chance. As her partner, he clearly

hesitated. Tiana had texted him all this, but not once did she

come back.

just too proud

Parker

"Ludwik's