Reading a good book could always take me away from the present and into another world, a different headspace. I had just selected a cozy romance when I heard the sliding door shut. I looked up to find Parker walking over, dressed in nothing but his boxer shorts and a pair of Nike slides.
This was the second time this week that I had seen Parker in just his boxers, and if I’m being completely honest with myself,I was truly no better than a man. I tried to focus my eyes on his face instead of how low they hung on his hip, accentuating his muscle-toned body. Even in the dim light, I could see that his body was a work of art. For the first time, I was taking note of the swagger of his walk, the way his muscles flexed with each step.
The sound of a throat clearing breaks me out of my stupor, and I know I’ve just been caught. The embarrassment and shame from earlier returns, and I remember why I was out here instead of sleeping in the first place. I decide to keep my eyes pinned to the roman numerals decorating his chest.
“Can’t sleep?” he says as he takes a seat in the lounge chair next to me, placing two bottles of water on the table between us.
“I’ve got a lot on my mind.” The words came out softer than intended.
“Me too. Mind if I join you?”
I shook my head as I stared out into the water with my knees tucked in and my head resting on my hands.
“Tonight would’ve been absolutely unbearable without you. Thank you for toughing it out with me,” he said after a brief silence.
“It wasn’t all that bad. I got to see how the other half lives, drink expensive wine, and wear a beautiful gown. I know torture, and that wasn’t it.”
I don’t know if it’s exhaustion or perhaps dark humor is my new coping method—but Parker doesn’t laugh. He just stares at me. I return his gaze before it becomes too much, and I look away.
“Is that how you got your scars?” He says timidly.
The genuine look of concern in his eyes makes me want to spill every sordid detail, but I can’t. Not yet.
“It was a part of his game—we lost.” He looked like he wanted me to say more. “Not tonight, Parker, please.”
Parker releases a heavy sigh before flipping our hands so he can lace his fingers through mine. The small act of intimacy makes my heart beat faster, and he doesn’t have a clue.
Without letting go of my hand, he used his other hand to drag down his face before turning to me and saying the last thing I wanted to hear.
“I spoke to Danny, and he didn’t have good news.”
I had the urge to pull my hand away, but he kept hold of it and gently caressed it with his thumb.
“What? When?”
Had anyone seen Charles? What if someone was hurt? Did Romero report anything?
My mind goes through every possible scenario before Parker speaks again.
“Earlier. Before we left for the gala, I didn’t want to ruin the night. I wanted you to enjoy yourself.”
“Don’t keep things from me. I can handle it,” I snapped as anger rose in me. “What did he say?”
“He looked into the two people from the articles Charles sent you. The missing woman was last seen with a blonde-haired man and um…” He scratched the back of his neck before pinching the bridge of his nose and continuing, “It looks like Charles was preserving Rico for this moment.”
My nose scrunched up at the thought of what that meant exactly. It had been almost three years. I hoped this could bring his family closure.
“You’re not going to like this next part. I need you to remember that we’re in this together now.”
His words immediately set off warning bells in my head. It left me feeling a mixture of dread from the unknown, and anger from being left in the dark.
“Someone left a dead rat on Eric’s doorstep. Danny bought him a one-way ticket to Puerto Rico for him to hide out andrelax until everything is settled. Eric is completely fine. Danny is heading down to Miami to search for any leads.”
I gasped. My heart hammered in my chest. The last thing I wanted to do was put anyone in danger.
“Tell Danny he should stop asking questions. I can’t have that on my conscience.”
This time, Parker let me break his hold. I tangled my hands in my hair, struggling to resist the urge to pull on it.
