Parker (Striking Back #3)

by S. M. Shade

  “Quit parading around naked, or I’m going to pin you to that wall.”

  “Later, sex fiend. I promised to meet Ev today and I have a few select words for her.”

  “Me too.” I wrap an arm around her tiny waist and press my lips to her neck. “Starting with thank you. Go shower.” I slap her ass and dress quickly when I hear my phone ring from the living room. Anger heats my face when I see Indiana State Prison on the screen. How the hell did he get my number? It had to be Alex. After sending the call to voice mail, I call my brother.

  Alex’s voice is thick when he answers his phone. He’s not an early riser. “Park, what’s up?”

  “Do you want to tell me how the fuck Gene got my cell number?” I demand.

  “What? I didn’t give him your number.”

  “Where else would he get it!” I shout, my hands trembling with rage.

  “Quit screaming at me, asshole. The prison has had our numbers for years. We’re next of kin.”

  “I’m not his fucking kin!” I fight to lower my voice as I pace Macy’s living room.

  “Technically, we are,” Alex explains patiently. “The execution is getting close. He must’ve asked for your number.”

  “Fuck!”

  “I’ll be at the gym in thirty. Let’s work it out there,” Alex suggests. Fighting and training is a stress reliever for both of us and has always helped Alex keep his anger in check.

  “I’ll be there.”

  “Later, brother.”

  Macy leans against the doorway, a towel draped around her shoulders to protect her shirt from her wet hair. Shit. There’s no way she’s going to let this go. “Are you okay?”

  “Fine,” I snap. Frowning, she nods and retreats to the kitchen. The sizzle and smell of frying sausage permeates the apartment. I need to calm down. I can’t take this out on her. Standing at the stove, she peeks back at me when I enter the room. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to snap at you.”

  “Are you going to tell me what upset you?” she asks, handing me a plate of sausage and eggs.

  We sit across from each other at her breakfast nook. “I’m not upset. I’m pissed.”

  “Okay, what happened?”

  I can’t expect her to trust me if I don’t confide in her. Besides, she’s going to find out sooner or later. “My father called my cell phone. I thought Alex gave him the number, but I was wrong.”

  “He called from prison? Do you know why?”

  “His execution date is getting close and he wants to see me.”

  Chapter Ten

  Macy

  My head is spinning after the last twenty-four hours. After all the stress and preparation for my date with a new guy, Parker shows up and goes all Cro-Magnon man. Not that I was enjoying the date, but still, it was embarrassing. I don’t think it’s sunk in yet that he’s mine. After weeks of crying over him, of trying to be strong and forget him, he’s mine. He loves me. And whether he wants to admit it or not, he’s hurting.

  “Execution?” He told me his father is in prison for his mother’s death, but not any of the details of what happened. It’s the first I’ve heard about a death sentence.

  “In a few months.”

  “Are you going to visit him?”

  His jaw tightens. “No.”

  I’m studied with wary eyes as I put my hand over his. “I don’t know the whole story here, Park, but when you’re ready to tell me, I’m here. Whatever you decide, I’ve got your back.”

  His whole body relaxes and he threads his fingers through mine. “You’re the only one who does. Alex is going to visit and he’ll probably talk Mason into it too.”

  “Maybe they need closure.” It would probably make him feel better too, but I know he won’t be receptive to that suggestion right now. I don’t want him to think for a second I’m not on his side.

  “Alex says he has questions.”

  “I’d imagine.”

  He circles the table and stands behind me, nuzzling his nose in my hair. “Come to the gym with me. I want to show you something.”

  “I need to cancel with Ev.”

  “Mason will be there today, just call Ev and have her tag along.”

  “Isn’t Mason going to be pissed we’re together?” I ask, placing my plate in the sink.

  He squeezes my ass and drops a kiss on my lips. “We’ll blame it on his wife.”

  I throw on a pair of yoga pants and a t-shirt. If we’re going to the gym, I may as well get a workout in while I’m there. Parker groans when he follows me out my front door. “I don’t know how you expect me to keep my hands off your ass when it looks so amazing in those pants.”

  “I don’t,” I throw back with a wicked grin. Something tells me I’ll regret it later.

  Alex is jumping around, punching and kicking a large punching bag when we arrive at the gym. “Macy!” He jogs over to give me a hug. “It’s great to see you.”

  “Get your sweaty ass away from my girl,” Parker says, giving him a playful shove.

  Alex’s eyes twinkle as he grins at us. “Your girl, huh? You finally pull your head out of your ass?”

  “Appears so,” I reply with a laugh.

  “I want to show Macy the new space, then I’ll come kick your ass,” Parker says, grabbing my hand and leading me toward the stairs.

  “At least you don’t have to lug me around anymore,” I chirp, jogging up the stairs.

  “I like lugging you around.”

  The musty attic smell I anticipate never materializes. Instead, I’m greeted by a mild lemon scent mixed with the aroma of fresh paint. The room is open and airy with no sign of the dusty furniture that was here on my last visit. Instead, deep blue mats, twice as thick as the ones downstairs, cover three quarters of the floor. The walls are painted a sunny yellow with blue trim and a row of silver lockers wait to be used.

  A large man shaped punching bag stands in the corner, watching over everything. “Macy, meet Bob,” Parker says when he notices my gaze.

  “Bob?”

  “Body opponent bag.”

  “Oh, Bob means something different to me.” I giggle, and his eyebrows reach for the ceiling.

  “Do I want to know?”

  “Um…battery operated boyfriend.” When he still looks confused, I add, “A vibrator.”

  “Well, now you have a boyfriend that doesn’t require batteries and can make you come quicker.”

  I glance at the dummy and grin up at Parker. “Can I punch it?”

  “Give it your best shot.”

  I slam my fist into Bob’s chin. Parker laughs when I hit it a second time, but his amusement dies out when I start hammering on it. I’ve never hit anyone in my life, but with that first punch, all I can see is Al. Yelling, threatening, hurting me. Ruining everything. I can’t stop, even when my fists feel raw, and tears pour down my face. Swear words fly from my mouth as I take months of anger, fear, and heartache out on a rubber man-shaped target.

  “Okay, sweetheart.” Parker’s soft voice is in my ear. “That’s enough.” Strong arms trap mine against my sides as he holds me from behind. “That’s enough,” he repeats, pulling me back into his chest and kneeling behind me when my legs give out.

  I’m pulled into his lap and as much as I hate for him to see me fall apart, I burrow into him, basking in the comfort he brings. “I’m sorry.”

  “No. No sorries. You’ve been through so much. You have to let it out sometimes, doll. Toughing it out, soldiering your way through only works for so long. Trust me, baby. I learned that the hard way.”

  “You don’t exactly wear your heart on your sleeve,” I snort, and he squeezes me.

  “I’m still working on it. Something tells me you won’t let me get away with hiding anything.”

  “Damn right.”

  His large hand rubbing my back is soothing. “Look around you, Mace. This was all because of you. You gave me the idea.”

  Now I’m confused. “Expanding your gym?”

  “This room is f
or basic women’s self-defense. Three nights a week, we’ll offer free classes for any female, ages thirteen and older. We have experts from the Indianapolis Police Academy coming in to teach.”

  Standing, he helps me to my feet and cups my jaw in his big palm. “I’d do anything to rewind and prevent the hell that asshole put you through, but since I can’t, we can at least make something good come from it.”

  If I wasn’t head over heels in love before, I am now. “I’m in deep,” I murmur.

  “Deep?” He strokes my cheek with his fingertips.

  “In love,” I explain. “Deep.”

  “How deep?”

  “Too deep to see out.”

  Soft lips claim mine in a warm kiss. “I’m there with you, doll. Deep.”

  Mason and Everly are talking with Alex, Cooper, and Ian when we make our way back downstairs. “Macy!” Ev squeals and rushes to hug me. “Alex told me the good news!”

  “You conniving hussy! Don’t think I don’t know what you did.”

  “What did she do this time?” Ian asks. “You know she’s a troublemaker.”

  Ev can’t hide her mischievous grin. “I have no idea what you’re talking about.”

  I cross my arms. “So when you set me up on a date, then told Parker, you had no idea he’d show up and drag me out of there?”

  “No!” Ev cracks up and turns to Parker. “You didn’t!”

  “In my defense, the douchebag took her to a putt putt course. She wanted me to rescue her.”

  “He did. Threw me over his shoulder like a damn cave man in front of everyone.”

  “He touched her,” Parker growls.

  Alex bats his eyelashes. “Isn’t that the sweetest thing you’ve ever heard?”

  “All right, asshole. Time to take your beating,” Parker says good naturedly, tossing him a pair of gloves. “We’ve got less than a week until the tournament.”

  Parker gives me a quick kiss and jogs off with his brother. “Tournament?” I ask Ev.

  “Parker didn’t tell you? He’s fighting in the Children’s Hospital Tournament next week.”

  My stomach knots. “Fighting? I thought he didn’t compete.”

  “I recognize that look,” Cooper speaks up. “I don’t like the idea either.”

  “It’s just an exhibition fight for charity,” Ev reassures us.

  Cooper smiles at me, a dimple popping up in his cheek. “I’ll bring some alcohol and we can cover each other’s eyes.”

  “Better make it something strong.”

  “You got it, honey.”

  Ian slings his arm around Ev. “You’re the only one here with thick enough skin to be a fighter’s wife.”

  “Nah, Macy’s tough.”

  “And I could totally be a fighter’s wife,” Cooper quips.

  I watch Parker and Alex trade punches and kicks for an hour or so before jumping on a treadmill. Ev fires up the machine next to mine.

  “So,” she says, jogging beside me. “Have you two worked everything out?”

  “I’m sure we have more to talk about, but, yeah, we’re together. Is Mason going to give Parker shit about it?” I really don’t want to cause trouble between them.

  “Nope. I set him straight. Asked him how he would’ve felt if his brothers had objected to our relationship. They treated me like family from the beginning.”

  Ev smiles at me. “Mason likes you. He was worried about Parker hurting you, especially since you came to them for help.”

  “I get it.”

  “He’s a grouch lately because of the shit with his father.”

  Flipping off my machine, I grab a towel and mop the sweat from my neck. “Parker told me about the execution.”

  “Alex plans to visit, and though Mason doesn’t like it, he doesn’t want Alex to go alone.”

  “Parker gets pissed if it’s even mentioned.”

  Ev sighs. “I know. I think it’d be good for him to go, or at least be there for Alex. This has affected their whole lives and they need the closure.”

  “I’ll try to talk to him.”

  Parker walks in, his dark hair damp with sweat. “Are you ready to go, doll?”

  His eyes twinkle when I throw my arms around his neck. “Where are we going?”

  “Anywhere I can get you alone.” He grins at Ev as she jogs on the treadmill. “How can I thank you, Mrs. Matchmaker? Diamonds, jewelry, chocolate? What’ll it be?”

  “You could go to the prison with Alex and Mason.”

  Pale eyes instantly turn icy and his whole body stiffens. “Not going to happen.”

  “You don’t have to see Gene. Just be there for your brothers after they do.”

  Parker curses and grabs my hand, leading me out of the gym without a word. He doesn’t bring up Ev’s request and I figure it’s better to let him calm down a bit.

  We spend every second we can together the next couple of days. He takes me to a nice dinner and a movie. Just everyday things we weren’t able to do before. We run together and spend the evenings sitting on his back patio like we used to. It’s like we’ve never been apart and it’s nice to be together without all the stress and worry hanging over our heads.

  I’m seated between his knees on the lounger, watching the sky deepen to dark purple, when he asks, “Will you go with me to the prison tomorrow?”

  “Of course,” I reply, trying not to sound as stunned as I am.

  “I’m not going to see him, but Ev’s right. I need to be there for Alex and Mason.”

  I place my hand on his stubbled cheek and give him a soft kiss. “I’ll be right beside you.”

  * * * *

  It’s raining and dreary when we meet Mason, Ev, and Alex at Indiana State Prison. It’s a fitting backdrop to the dismal appearance of the place. Rolls of barbed wire top the three fences that wrap around the drab sand colored building. We’re stopped and asked to show our ID at two separate checkpoints before being directed to the visitor’s parking lot.

  Parker’s hand is clenched in mine as we stand in line to go through security, and Mason’s arm is locked tightly around Ev. Alex fidgets and picks at his fingernails, his eyes darting around to take in our surroundings.

  A grateful smile curls his lips when I catch his hand in my free one. “Cooper couldn’t make it today?”

  “I didn’t tell him. This isn’t part of my life I want him to see. He’s worried enough about my fight this weekend.”

  “This is your only free pass to hold hands with my girl, asshole,” Parker jokes, breaking the tension a bit.

  Even Mason cracks a smile when Alex sidles up closer to me and kisses my cheek. “Jealous of his gay brother, isn’t that a trip?” Alex taunts, and Parker slides his arm around my waist. I can only imagine what the other visitors in line are thinking and it makes me giggle.

  After emptying our pockets and being ushered through a row of metal detectors, we come to a small lobby. Two beat up couches sit at an angle to each other, backed by a couple of vending machines. Hallways jut out on either side, each capped by a barred door.

  I’m struck by how noisy it is, a constant din of voices, talking and yelling, the clanking of metal on metal. A guard leads our group to one of the steel doors. “I’m waiting out here,” Parker insists, and I nod, giving Alex’s hand a squeeze. Ev looks back with a grimace as they’re escorted into the hall to the visitors room.

  “Are you okay?” I ask Parker as soon as we’re alone.

  “This place is a nightmare. Depressing as fuck, and all that noise.” He shakes his head and gazes down at me. “I’m glad I came.”

  That’s a surprise. “You are?”

  “I like the idea of him in here, suffering all these years.”

  “You’re angry.”

  “You would be too.” There’s more than anger in his voice, and the hurt and vulnerability in his eyes breaks my heart.

  I grab his hand. “Come on. Let’s sit down and you can tell me what to expect Friday night.”

  The sound of
his laughter is a relief. “Are you worried about me?”

  “Possibly.”

  “Don’t be. It’s an exhibition fight for charity and a bunch of sick kids will be there watching. We aren’t going to kill each other.”

  He pulls me down to sit next to him on the couch. Avoiding his gaze, I draw circles on his jean clad thigh with my fingertip and mumble, “You could still get hurt.”

  I’m met with an amused smirk when he pinches my chin and tilts my head up. “There’s always a little risk, but I’ll be fine. A few bumps and bruises.” He leans to whisper in my ear. “You should be more concerned about the safety of your pussy. All that adrenaline pumping through me after a fight. I’m going to fuck you ragged on every surface in my house.”

  “Don’t get any serious injuries and I’ll give you a blowjob you’ll never forget.”

  “I’m holding you to that,” he warns with a teasing grin. The next hour and a half ticks by and we talk about anything and everything but his father and this place. I’m glad he asked me along so I could distract him.

  Finally, the metal door opens and the visitors come flooding out. Alex’s eyes are red and puffy, and Mason looks like he’d like to break something. Without a word, we follow them back to the parking lot.

  Ev pulls me aside. “Let’s give the guys a minute,” she suggests, and the three of them gather at the back of Parker’s truck. Ev and I sit on the hood of Mason’s car.

  “How bad was it?” I ask.

  Ev sighs and tucks a lock of hair behind her ear. “Mason didn’t say anything, just glared and stayed close to Alex. Alex didn’t pull any punches, asked Gene outright why he killed their mother.”

  I can’t imagine having to ask such a thing, especially of a parent. “What was his answer?”

  “That he wanted her back and he couldn’t control his anger.”

  “Fucker.”

  “Yeah. Alex wasn’t having it either. He lost it, called him every foul name imaginable, then promised to come and watch the execution. He’s so angry.”

  “They all are.”

  Nodding, she gets to her feet. “It was what Alex needed, I think, to get it off of his chest.”

  I grab her hand. “What do I do, Ev? How do I help Parker deal with it? Our relationship is so new. I’m afraid I’ll fuck it up.”