Love Beyond the Mask by Adelaide Sinclair

"Go ahead, walk out that door. Abandon your husband and kid," Ludwik said dryly.

Whitney rolled her eyes, wanting to snap back, but seeing the state he was in, she bit back her retort. "I'm not about to run off to see her right now, okay? It's just... I'm worried, all right? Valerie disappeared after losing her baby-she must be miserable."

Ludwik's gaze dropped, his expression unreadable.

Parker caught his eye, shrugged, and muttered, "Hey, maybe spend less energy worrying about everyone else and focus on Ludwik here, huh? Patch things up, live happily ever after or whatever. What could possibly be more important than your own man?"

Whitney shot him a glare, cheeks flushing at the interruption. "How about you stop butting into other people's business, huh?"

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Honestly, Parker couldn't figure out what Ludwik saw in Whitney. She was sharp- tongued and feisty as hell, but Ludwik was head over heels for her.

Thinking about his own girlfriend, Parker figured she was all right too-maybe a little hot-tempered and clueless, but at least she didn't scheme like Whitney! Worried Whitney would start poking around about Valerie, Parker decided to keep his mouth shut.

Just then, his phone buzzed. It was a message from Tiana: *Did they catch Bryce? Is Ludwik out of danger? ...If you're coming back soon, that's great. I'll be waiting for you.*

grin tugged

and tucked

noticed his changing expressions and eyed him suspiciously.

denying it. Tiana saying she'd wait for him made him feel all sorts of happy. Let her learn to miss him, to trust him—maybe it was best

his own. Plus, it'd give Tiana

he sorted out Valerie's trouble, then finally married Tiana, that girl wouldn't have any excuse left-she'd have to be thankful,

was already

pressed, "So what did she say? Was it about Valerie? Why doesn't that

his long fingers on the arm of

and wants me back in Banyan City soon. So Ludwik, quess head out first thing in the

"Sounds good," Ludwik agreed.

the situation in Banyan City was only going to get worse if

needed to step in before it all went to

like Florence, would only find peace

flash of cold resolve flickered in Ludwik's eyes. Not wanting to say too much in front of Whitney, he nodded at Parker and said quietly "Banyan City's your turf. Once you back everything better settle down! Parker, I appreciate all

meaning behind Ludwik's words. He was about to wave him off with a "no need for thanks between