Parker (Striking Back #3)

by S. M. Shade

  My eyes follow his perfect round ass as he walks away. “Have I told you how much I love your ass?”

  “Ditto, baby,” he calls over his shoulder, disappearing into the bathroom.

  A sense of peace settles over me and I close my eyes, a smile on my face as I begin to drift. I’m fantasizing about Parker kissing me on a white sand beach. The sound of the shower morphs into the sound of waves crashing on the shore.

  Deep blue sky above us and soft cool sand against my back. The smell of salt and seaweed. Parker’s deep voice in my ear. “Wake up, whore.”

  My eyes snap open and panic paralyzes my vocal chords. Al stands over me, a chilling smile on his face. This is a nightmare. This is a nightmare and I need to wake up now.

  I hear Parker’s phone ring and his murmur as he answers. As soon as I fill my lungs with air to scream, Al’s hand lands on my mouth, crushing my lips into my teeth. “You open your legs for anyone, don’t you, bitch? You think he wants you? Let’s see what he says when he walks in on me fucking you.”

  I fight as hard as I can, but he’s too big, too strong and the cover is yanked from my body, leaving me naked and exposed to a psycho. His hand slips, and I try to scream, but he squeezes my neck. “One fucking sound and I’ll choke you to death before I blow his brains out.” My eyes widen as he waves a hand gun. “You want to get him killed?”

  Sobbing, I shake my head.

  “Then don’t make a sound.”

  “Please, just leave me alone,” I beg when his hand roughly gropes my breasts.

  “This cunt is mine.” A surge of nausea rolls over me at the feel of his hand between my legs. “And you’re going to give me what’s mine. Your pretty boy is going to watch and then you’re going to tell him you choose me. You’re leaving with me. No more of this hiding bullshit.”

  Jesus Christ, he really is a fucking psycho. He thinks Parker is going to stand by while he rapes me, then we’ll ride off into the sunset together. Cold fear grips me as I realize what will happen when he doesn’t get his way.

  Parker is going to walk out here, naked and unarmed. Al won’t hesitate to shoot him if he interferes. What do I do?

  Parker

  Jensen has a gift for calling when I’m busy. I’ve barely rinsed the soap from my hair when my phone rings. Stepping out of the spray, I reach out, grab it from the counter and hit accept. “This better be important.”

  “Just letting you know we have a little situation. There’s a fire in the woods. It’s a good distance from your house, so there’s no danger at the moment.”

  “Have you called the fire department?”

  “Of course, they’re on the way. It’s lightning like a bitch so I imagine that’s what started it. Just wanted to check in, update you on the situation. I’m going to double check the perimeter before meeting the firemen.”

  “Understood. We’re fine. Be careful and let me know what you find out.” Thunder shakes the house and the lights flash. At least the rain might keep the fire from spreading. I really don’t want to have to drag Macy out into the storm. I know she’s exhausted.

  “Mace, you should get dressed, doll.” I throw a towel around my waist and head into the bedroom. “There’s a fire and we might have to…”

  “I’m so sorry, Park,” Macy whimpers.

  It takes a moment for my brain to register what I’m seeing. Allen Pearson stands in my bedroom, his pants around his ankles. His hand is fisted in Macy’s hair, holding her down on the bed, her naked ass inches from his tiny cock.

  I realize at that moment that I’ve never been truly angry in my life. Rage streaks through me. I’m going to kill this motherfucker. A gun pointed at me wouldn’t even make me hesitate, but the fucker aims it at the back of Macy’s head. “One more step and I will kill her.” I can hear the cold truth in his voice. There’s no sanity in the smile on his face. “That’s right. Stay right there.”

  He releases her hair and presses the small of her back, forcing her to bend over the far side of the bed. “Please, go, Parker,” she sobs. “Please.”

  Fear and anger churn my stomach. She knows what’s coming and doesn’t want me to see. Al laughs. “He’s not going anywhere. He’s going to stand there and watch me fuck you and know there isn’t a damn thing he can do about it.”

  “Don’t fucking touch her!” He shoves the gun in her back when I step toward him, halting me. I’ve never been so torn. There’s no way I can get to her before he fires, but I can’t just let him rape her.

  “Parker.” Her voice trembles. “I’m sorry, but Al is my boyfriend and it’s time I went home to him.” A smug smile settles on his face as she speaks. “Al, please. I’m so sorry I left. I made a huge mistake. I…I love you. Please take me home.”

  “In due time, baby.” His hand strokes his cock, getting it hard.

  “Macy,” I choke. I don’t know what to do.

  Dull eyes meet mine. “I’m sorry. I don’t love you, Parker. I love him. I belong with him,” she sobs. “Al, I don’t want anyone to see us make love. It should be between us, in our bed.”

  Indecision fills his face as she plays him, and he angles the gun away from her while his hand strokes her ass. Taking advantage of his hesitation, she brings up her heel and smashes it into his balls. A shot rings out and pure terror seizes me. He shot her. Oh fuck he—

  Blood pours from a tiny hole between his eyes, splashing down his face before his body slumps to the floor. Macy screams and scrambles into a corner, wrapping her hands around her knees. “The cops are on their way,” Jensen says from behind me, lowering the gun he’s just used to save her.

  All I can see is Macy, shaking and sobbing, trying to breathe. I yank a blanket from the closet shelf and throw it around her, pulling her trembling body into my lap. “I’ve got you, baby. Just breathe. You’re safe.”

  “I’m s-sorry. I didn’t mean what I said. I didn’t want him to hurt you.”

  “Shh, I know. It’s okay. It’s over now. It’s all over.” It is all over. I can’t do this. I know how he got in the house without us knowing. I was too busy making out with Macy when I carried her in the back door. Too goddamned focused on getting my dick wet to arm the alarm.

  I nearly got her raped or killed. She’ll be safe now that he’s dead and she needs to get as far away from me as possible. Not tonight, though. Tonight, she needs me.

  “Is she okay?” Jensen asks, stepping toward us.

  “Don’t touch her!”

  Jensen throws his palms up and steps back. “I wasn’t going to. Does she need an ambulance?”

  Shit. I have to pull it together. I’m like a dog snapping when someone gets too close. “I’m sorry, man. Yeah, I want her checked out. She just got that damn boot off.”

  “It’s okay. I get it.” Jensen walks into the hall to make the call.

  Macy has gained control of her breathing, but she’s still shaking. My heart is shredded. She’s been through so much and was just getting better. No doubt this will set her back. “Baby, did you hurt your foot?”

  Her hand clamps over the blanket when I try to uncover her foot. “Okay, it’s okay,” I soothe, kissing her forehead. “We need to get you dressed before the medics and police show up.”

  I’m rewarded with a nod, and she allows me to move her to the bed. Blanket clutched tightly around her, she watches as I grab a pair of panties, shorts and a t-shirt. Again, she resists when I try to remove the blanket. “Do you want me to leave the room while you dress?”

  “No! Don’t leave me.” I realize that just because she’s not panicking doesn’t mean she isn’t afraid.

  “Sweetheart.” I cup her chin and gaze into haunted eyes. “I’m so sorry I let this happen, but I would never hurt you. I just want to get you dressed.”

  Another silent nod, and I quickly pull the shirt over her head and help with her panties and shorts. Just in time for a knock on the door. “Paramedics are here,” Jensen announces. “Cops too.”

  “We’re coming.”<
br />
  Looking away from Al’s body lying against the wall, Macy takes my hand and allows me to lead her to the living room. Officer Roberts and two other officers wait for us.

  “He broke in, tried to rape her, held a gun to her head. Jensen shot him. His body is in the bedroom. Anything else you need from us can wait until tomorrow. I’m getting her out of here.”

  “Where are you staying?” Roberts asks.

  “Mason’s house. He’s still in Vegas until tomorrow.”

  “I’ll come by in the morning.”

  Macy won’t let the medics look at her, but swears she’s fine, though she’s still shaking and seems so distant. Finally, she lets them give her a sedative to calm her nerves, and I bundle her into my truck. Fire, a dead body, a house full of cops. I just want to get her away from all of it. The sedative kicks in and she’s asleep before we reach Mason’s house.

  She doesn’t budge when I put her in bed and crawl in beside her. I have no intention of sleeping. This is my last night with the woman I love and I don’t want to miss a second. Her face is so peaceful as she sleeps and her lips twitch up like she’s trying to smile. I gaze at her for hours before I doze off just before dawn, her soft body locked firmly in my arms.

  The sound of the front door closing wakes me and I creep out of bed. I don’t know what they gave her, but she’s still out.

  “Where is she? Is she okay?” Everly babbles, trying to dodge me to find Macy.

  “Shh. She’s asleep. She’s okay, physically anyway.”

  “Thank fuck it’s over,” she sighs. “I’m going to go pick up Cody. He’s probably driving Ms. Den crazy by now.”

  Mason sits across from me on the couch giving me a silent stare that pisses me off. Like I don’t know how royally I fucked up. “Jensen gave you the whole story?” I ask, my head falling into my palms.

  “Yes, he shot in defense of another person. No charges will be filed, but they need a statement from you and Macy.”

  “It was so fucking close, brother. He had her naked over the bed. I didn’t have my gun. I was caught totally off guard.”

  “Literally with your pants down,” Mason says, the edge of his mouth twitching. A half laugh half sob jumps from my chest and I sit back. “There’s a reason we don’t get involved with the women we help. Not just because they’re vulnerable, but because it’s distracting.”

  His face softens as I meet his eyes. “I get that now. If he’d hurt her, I’d never forgive myself.”

  Mason gets to his feet and starts the coffeemaker. “She’s okay, and Pearson is dead. She’ll be able to go back to her life.”

  I nod under his expectant gaze. “And I’ll go back to mine.” I sound confident, but it’s bullshit. My love life before her was empty and the thought of going back to those random women turns my stomach.

  “She can stay with us until she feels safe enough to live alone again.”

  “It’ll be good for her to be around Ev,” I agree. “She never sees her friends. She’s been isolated with me.”

  Mason’s strong hand squeezes my shoulder, and I feel like a kid again, relying on my big brother to get me through. “I know it sucks, but you’re doing the right thing. Give it some time. Let her figure out her shit.”

  “I need to get in the gym this week. I’ll teach all the teen and adult classes.”

  “Good idea. Work with Alex and Brandon. They have a charity tournament coming up.”

  “Park?” Macy’s soft voice calls from the bedroom.

  “Be right there.” Fuck. After all she’s been through, I have to break her heart. I expect her to be hurt, but now that she doesn’t need me to protect her, she’ll move on.

  Sleepy eyes greet me when I enter the bedroom with a steaming cup of coffee. “Mmm, is that for me?” she murmurs, watching me place it on the night stand.

  “Milk and sugar with a dash of coffee,” I tease, taking a seat on the bed. I lean back against the headboard, and she lays her head on my lap.

  A lump rises in my throat as I run my fingers through her hair. “He’s really dead?”

  “Yes, doll.”

  “Will Jensen be in trouble?”

  “No, no charges are being filed. We have to give an official statement today and that’s the end of it.”

  “I can go home,” she blurts, realizing she’s free. Her nightmare is over while mine is just beginning. “Or find a home, you know, an apartment. I wonder if I can move back into the one I shared with Al. It was mine first. The asshole moved in with me, then I had to move.”

  “I’m sure you can get it back if that’s what you want,” I assure her.

  “I’m glad he’s dead.” Anxious eyes peek up at me. “Does that make me a horrible person?”

  “No. It makes you human.”

  Sorrow weighs down my voice and she doesn’t fail to notice. “Something is wrong. What is it?” She sits up to face me.

  “Mace, I’m so sorry. I fucked things up from the very beginning. Put you at risk because of my feelings for you. I nearly got you killed.”

  “No, you were always there for me,” she insists, putting her hand on my chest.

  “I took advantage of you when you were vulnerable. I ignored all the rules because I’m selfish and I wanted you. All I bring you is danger. You’re in the clear now and this is my life. Dealing with crazy exes, spending days and nights at safe houses, it never ends, and I can’t drag you into it.”

  Devastation creases her face when she realizes where I’m headed. “You aren’t dragging me. I love you.”

  “I can’t do my job.”

  “What?”

  “I love you. You’re all I think about and when we’re together I can’t focus on anything but you. It puts us both in danger. I can’t. I’m so sorry, but I can’t do this. I’ll help you get back in your apartment and—”

  “Don’t fucking bother,” she snaps, leaping from the bed. “Despite what you’ve seen, I can take care of myself. I’m not as weak as you think I am. Just go.”

  “You’re not weak. I’ve never thought that.” Christ, she’s the strongest woman I know.

  “Just too weak for your lifestyle.”

  “No. I’m too weak to control myself with you. To keep you safe.”

  “You don’t need to save me anymore!” she shouts, her ears burning red.

  Everly knocks on the door as she’s opening it and the expression on her face tells me Mason has filled her in. “You’re making a mistake,” she says to me. “One you’ll always regret.”

  I take one last look into Macy’s coffee colored eyes, branding them into my memory. “I’ll never regret loving you. The last few months have been the best of my life. I’ll miss you, baby doll.”

  Everly embraces Macy as I flee the room, leaving half my heart behind. “Parker,” Mason calls as I storm through the living room.

  “Her car is parked at Devon’s place. Make sure she gets it.” I toss him her keys.

  “I’ll take care of it. Hey!” he calls as I try to sprint out the door. “We’ll take care of her, Park. She’ll be all right.”

  Nodding, I mumble, “I’ll send her stuff over with Jensen this afternoon.” Against every instinct I have, I go.

  Chapter Eight

  Macy

  He left me. I woke so full of hope, thinking I was free, but I’m trapped in a different way. Imprisoned by heartache and regret. “He thinks I’m too weak for him,” I tell Everly as we sit on the back patio, watching Cody play.

  “That’s not true.” Everly’s big brown eyes meet mine.

  “It is and why shouldn’t he think that? It’s all he’s seen. Me in danger, crying, having damned panic attacks. Of course he’s done. He protects people for a living. The last thing he needs is to babysit me.”

  Everly shakes her head. “He loves you. He’s just feeling guilty because he thinks he failed you. Parker’s more sensitive than he likes to let on. The Reed brothers have to keep up that macho bullshit. Give him a little time and I think
you’ll work things out.”

  “In the meantime, he’ll go back to fucking half the population of Indy.” While Everly disagrees, her expression says it all. “It doesn’t matter. I have a life to put back together so I don’t have time to wallow and wait for him to pull his head out of his ass. Mason’s bringing my car, and I’m going to go clean out the apartment. The manager said Al never took the lease out of my name so the place is mine, but I’m donating all the furniture and redecorating.”

  “You don’t have to move out so quickly,” Ev argues.

  The front door bangs closed, and I get to my feet. “I love you and Mason for everything you’ve done for me, but I need to be on my own for a while. I can do it.”

  Everly stands and embraces me. “I know you can, but you aren’t alone.”

  “We’ll get together for a girl’s night as soon as I’m settled.”

  Mason tries to talk me out of leaving as well, but a few minutes later, I’m pulling up outside my old apartment. Less than three months have passed, but it feels like I’ve been gone for years.

  I’m smacked in the face by the smell of garbage when I step in the door. Apparently, Al was too busy stalking me to take out the trash. The apartment is messy, but not disgusting. After removing the garbage and opening all the windows, it’s not too bad. My phone beeps with a text from Jensen.

  -Police want us to come to station at 2. I’ll pick you up.-

  -Thanks, I’ll be ready.-

  That gives me enough time to go shopping. It feels strange to be by myself after having constant company for so long. As long as I don’t let myself think about Parker, it feels a little exhilarating to be on my own.

  My first stop is a furniture warehouse. I’m not picky and I shop for comfort and function more than appearance, but I fall in love with a cherry wood sleigh bed. After ordering it along with the matching dresser and night stands, I move to the living room suites.

  A gray couch and loveseat combo are soon added to my total. I’m giving my credit card a workout, but after the last few months, I deserve it. After arranging to have it all delivered tomorrow afternoon, I stop by a Superstore for a few groceries and cleaning supplies. I’m home in just enough time to grab a shower before Jensen gets here.