Her chin quivers and she can feel those traitorous tears start to fall. Even saying the words tears her apart. She looks up into his eyes and she can feel her tears fall, but she pleads for him to understand.
Parker backs up, giving her the distance she craves right now. "Okay, Addy. I understand. We're friends. I hope you understand that I'm here to protect you and London from anything and anyone. Do you understand that?" He asks her and she can see that he means it. Wholeheartedly, he will be their protector.
"I understand," Addison whispers out. She noticed he called her by a new nickname, and she likes it, a lot.
"I'm going for a walk in the woods. Are you two going to be okay while I'm gone?" He stands, increasing the distance between them.
Addison nods and looks up at him, wiping her tears away. "Yes, we'll be fine. Thanks."
He nods, and cradles her cheeks in both his hands, kisses her forehead and then releases her, turning without another word to walk out the back door and Addison hears the door shut behind him.
She sits on the sofa next to where London has been playing with her toys and whooshes out the breath she didn't know she was holding.
Parker is so intense. So much bigger than life. He's her protector. He makes her feel safe, treasured, and…loved?
Maybe…
Chapter Eight
"Dammit!" Parker yells out loud. That's the hardest thing he's ever done. Kissing Addison and then walking away from her. Smelling her personal scent, flowery, like spring, almost, something fresh. Wanting to kiss her, taste her sweet lips, to pull her to him, make love to her. He needs to make her his in every way, but she keeps pushing him away. His cat is frustrated, too, pacing inside him, fighting to get out. He wanted to claim her right there and then.
One day, one day very soon, she will be his. She already owns him in every way possible. She just doesn't know it yet.
He's trying to protect her and she pushes him away. He understands her need to be strong, but he sees that scared little thing of a woman and he can't help it. He needs to protect her. His leopard wants to go all alpha male on her. Show her she belongs to them.
Parker walks into the woods on the path he's taken for many years now. Worn into the ground of short grasses and trees. He's walked this path forever since he was a child first shifting. He goes deeper into the cover of the trees, making sure he's far enough in that Addison won't hear or see him change.
He can feel his leopard stretch out and take over his human body. The fur comes out in black silkiness. His claws pointed and sharp. A loud snarl travels from deep down low in his gut, making its way up and out his mouth.
The leopard has taken over and stretches out, extending his claws on a nearby tree. Shaking out his fur, he starts to trot through the woods. Not running today, just a nice jog to help loosen up the muscles. To help clear his head.
Parker lets his leopard take over the run a bit then slows it back to a jog. Coming down to the river's edge on his property, he laps up the cool water. He gets a strange feeling in his gut suddenly. Like he's being watched, or something is wrong. He lifts his head, licking the water droplets off his muzzle.
Looking around, he lifts his nose to the air. His ears perk on full alert. Nothing in the woods, nothing around him that he can sense, yet. He feels like his skin is crawling. He catches a familiar aroma in the air. Evil. Pure evil.
Running full tilt, he finally comes up to the road leading towards his home. The smell here is stronger. A black truck sits on the side of the road. He slowly and cautiously walks over to it, watching and sniffing around, cautious of what's around him.
The vehicle is warm when Parker leans his side against it, but no human is in it or around it, and he doesn't smell a human anywhere nearby. There, he catches it. They've entered the woods on foot.
Parker is a mile from his home and the demon has become the hunter once again, searching for Addison. He snarls and growls as he runs back into the woods, racing towards home. It's late afternoon, according to the sun sitting in lower in the sky and he's been gone for a few hours. He's anxious, not knowing what he'll find when he gets there.
Parker stops on the border of the woods near the house. He can smell Derek, but he's not here. Parker has missed him and he can tell that Derek didn't go up to the house. Parker hides in the underbrush and shifts back into his human body, thankful for his slow shift earlier and returning clothed this time.
Parker walks at a fast pace up to the house but trying to appear casual in case Addison is watching. He sniffs the air again. Derek didn't come this close to the house. He stayed back in the cover of the underbrush. Coward.
Parker is grateful the jerk chose to stay back this time, without him here to protect Addison and London. Next time he may not be so lucky.
Parker decides he's going to have to stay closer to the house next time he shifts, or even get Addison some kind of an alarm system to let Parker know that there's danger, just in case. He doesn't know of anything he can give her, but perhaps if he contacts the bear shifters or wolf shifters in the area, they might have an idea.
As Parker runs up to the front porch, he takes a deep, calming breath. Letting it out slowly, he lets himself in through the front door. He finds London and Addison asleep on the sofa, and steps quietly into the kitchen.
Glancing at the clock and realizing it's almost four in the afternoon, Parker walks up to his room. He needs to make that call to the bear shifters who live on the other side of town to ask for help.
"Well, well, well. Haven't heard from you in a long time. What's up, cat?" The man on the line, one of Parker's oldest friends answers.
"Hello, Max. Sorry it's been so long. I need some help, or at least advice."
"Wow, and you're asking me?" Max chuckles. "Okay then. Good luck with that! What's up?"
Parker tells him the short version of the story on how he found Addison and London, and about the fiend who hunts them.
"Holy shit man! That's a crazy story. How could a man beat up on any woman?" The disgust is evident in Max's voice, even over the phone.
"I don't know, and I need to take care of this situation. I need to know what I can give Addison as protection, something to get a warning to me while I go for my runs."
"Hmm, I may have something for you." Max says and they chat for a few minutes coming up with a plan.
A few minutes later, they hang up with a new idea in Parker's mind. Only one solution will take care of the problem and Addison can't be around to see it. It would scare her away from him too damn much at this point. Parker wants to bring her closer and not be afraid of his leopard.
Parker goes back down the stairs and tenderly wakes Addison with a palm to her shoulder, careful not to startle her and upset the sleeping child on her chest.
London lifts her sleepy head from Addison's chest and smiles when she finally focuses on him.
"Hey there, pretty girl. Did you have a good nap?" Parker looks to Addison and then London, "And you, too, London. Did you sleep well?" He grins.
Addison chuckles and Parker lifts London from her chest as the child sits up, arms extended to him.
"I'll go change her diaper quick. Do you want to go to town for dinner tonight?" Parker asks Addison as she wipes the sleep from her eyes.
"Sure. Let me go wash my face and brush my hair. I'm sure I look frightening right about now." She laughs at her own joke.
"You look beautiful, Addison."
She gives him a small smile and Parker follows her to the master bedroom. She walks into the bathroom as he lays London down on the bed to change her.
Parker sets London on the floor so she can see her mom in the bathroom and he goes to throw the diaper away in the kitchen garbage.
Moments later, Addison walks out into the living room with London on her hip and the backpack over her shoulder. "We're ready when you are," she announces.
It's starting to get warmer outside with summer coming so they decide to forgo jackets.
Excited to get the two of them out of the house, Parker drives them into the town of Camas Valley, about twenty minutes away, keeping the conversation light and happy all the way there. He's determined that Addison enjoy the evening out.
***
By the time they're seated in the diner it's almost six.
Addison hands London some saltine crackers and the child shoves them into her mouth, cracking them into crumbles and making both Addison and Parker laugh at her antics. The child flashes them a grin, shoves a few smaller pieces into her mouth and then grabs her bottle of milk.
During dinner, Parker and Addison have easy conversation and he reminds her that she has to call her sister. She laughs nervously at the reminder and says she'll call her when they get home.
Suddenly, Parker catches a familiar smell drifting in as the bell above the door chimes. His back stiffens as he looks up behind Addison, catching sight of a greaseball in dirty jeans and a ripped jacket. He keeps his face stoic, not wanting to alarm Addison.
The demon has arrived.
***
Sitting here in the smaller booth, watching Parker eat his burger, Addison can't take her eyes off his mouth. Nice full lips. Strong jaw line. Piercing blue eyes. Straight nose.
Parker is too good to be true. All raw male and alpha. He'd be a great husband for some lucky woman. Too bad it couldn't be me. I have too much baggage. And then there's London. An added bonus for me but extra baggage for any man.
Addison is feeding London a few of the crackers and a handful of cereal as she hears the bell chime above the door. It's a constant ringing, dinging. This place is busy and the food you get for the price is a good deal. No wonder they're busy.
But this time, Addison sees Parker freeze, just a second, and then he relaxes. Okay, that was weird. She can feel the hairs on the back of her neck raise and a chill runs over her arms. Must be a breeze from the door opening constantly.
Parker chews his food and sets down his huge burger. He takes a sip from his lemonade, his gaze directed behind Addison at the customers walking in and out.
After their appetites are sated, and London has made a mess on the floor, Parker sits back and appears relaxed, continuing the idle chit chat. She tells him she needs to check London's diaper and he gets up from the table with her, following behind them to the restroom. Okay, that's weird. He's never done that before.
"I'll wait right here for you," Parker says, looking straight into her eyes as he settles his back against the wall, arms crossed over his chest. She gives him a sideways look but shrugs and makes her way into the ladies room.
The child changed and cleaned, Addison walks out of the restroom with London on her hip and the backpack over her shoulder, meeting Parker at the restroom door. He looks stressed, and angry.
"Come on, let's get out of here." He puts his hand on her lower back, guiding her toward the back door and their table. He takes London from Addison, holding her close to him, and without stopping on his way to the door, drops two twenties on the table.
Parker quickly leads the way to his truck, helping Addison up and shutting her door. He buckles London into her seat, and slams the door, walking quickly around the front of his truck. He scans the parking lot and then climbs in to the drivers seat.
Turning the key in the ignition, he shifts into reverse and guns the engine, backing the truck out of the parking spot, and making Addison nervous. He's still looking around. For whom or what Addison doesn't know. As Parker drives them out of town, Addison can see a black truck, a very familiar black truck, sitting at the gas station on the edge of town. There's a man pumping gas, leaning against it. He looks up as they drive by.
It's Derek. He's found them.
Chapter Nine
Parker's been watching Addison for any reaction as he's been driving toward home. He knew Derek saw Addison and London in the diner with him but them didn't approach them. Lucky for him. He just smiled his evil smile and walked out.
Addison had seemed fine, unaware of the danger, but then Addison stiffened in her seat when they drove by the gas station and Parker knew she'd seen him standing there, that evil smirk of his plastered across his face.
Parker hit the gas, heading toward home. His own territory, where he could protect them easier.
Addison hadn't said anything the whole drive home, but when Parker drove up to the house she opened her door, unbuckling her seatbelt and sliding down to the ground in one fast, fluid movement.
"Addison, please, wait for me to help you."
He puts the truck in park and grabs the keys, sliding out his door and running around the truck.
She's already up in the backseat unclipping a sleeping London and pulling her from the truck. Parker grabs Addison by the hips so she doesn't fall backwards with the baby and she screams, terrified that he put his hands on her.
"Addison, it's just me, baby. I've got you. I didn't want you falling out of the truck with London in your arms." He eases her down to the ground and once she's steady, she jogs to the house with a now very awake London in her arms.
He grabs the backpack from the back seat and locks up the truck.
Once inside, he locks the front door and sets his keys on the kitchen table. Addison is not in the kitchen or living room. She's turned on a light here and there so she doesn't bump into things, but Parker knows she's hiding in the bedroom.
When he gets there, he can see London is awake and on the floor playing with a few toys. He can hear Addison in the bathroom, clinking things around.
She walks out of the bathroom carrying her toiletries as he sits on the bed. She's packing to leave. She's running. Again. She's allowing that jerkoff to scare her and win, again.
"What are you doing, Addison? Talk to me, please." Parker is watching her race around the room like a small tornado, cleaning up her and London's belongings and packing them up as fast as she can.
"I'm packing our things. He's found us and it's only a matter of time until he finds out we live here with you and comes for us. We need to leave before that happens. He will kill us, Parker. Do you understand that? He will kill us both." Addison almost yells the last part.
She's upset, angry, and determined to leave. He can see the resolve in her eyes. He knows she believes that Derek will kill her, but she doesn't know what Parker and his leopard are capable of. Whether he's a man or beast. He's lethal. In all senses of the word.
Parker walks up behind her and as she stands and wraps his arms around her waist, pulling her back into his chest.
"Addison, it's okay. Relax. Please, you've got to trust me to keep you and London safe. He won't hurt either of you while you're with me. I can and will protect you. Nothing he does will hurt me. I promise."
Addison sags against him and then turns in his arms to face him. "Parker, you leave for long walks in the woods or you stay in the house with us constantly. I can't keep you in the house or on protective duty twenty-four hours a day, seven days a week until he decides to come for us. I don't want to hide from him. I want to face my fear. Let him know I'm no longer afraid of him. I want you in my corner. I'm not big or strong enough to fight him, but if I have you with me, I know we will be okay." She traces her palm over Parker's cheek and down to his jaw. "I just want to say my piece to the demon before I'm done with him," she says more fiercely.
"Addison, you've become such a brave, strong woman. I love that you want to protect London. I love that you want to stand up to that monster of a man. I'm so proud of you. I hope London becomes just like you. You're a great mom to her." Parker touches the lock of hair that's come loose and pulls it behind her ear. "I just hope that one day, you find a great dad for her as well." Parker looks her straight in the eyes, hoping she's catching his meaning.
In the short time that Parker has known Addison, he's been slowly falling for her. Not that he could help it. His leopard has been panting after her since they first saw her in the crumbled car. She's everything he wants in a mate, in a lover, in a wife.
&nb
sp; Hailey was a great lover and wife, and soon to be mother. She would have been a great mom to their unborn daughter. They were excited for their firstborn. Hailey was his mate, but there's more with Addison.
Now here, with Addison and London, Parker has a pre-made family. Although, making more babies with Addison would be the best thing ever. Her body was made for having babies. Her personality. Her beauty. Her protective nature and nurturing of London is already there.
Parker pulls Addison to sit on the edge of the bed with him. He has her cool, shaking hands grasped in his.
Addison is terrified and she should be, but Parker is here and she's safe. He's told her that repeatedly. But the one thing she doesn't know, yet, is how safe she really is.
He sits there, staring into her eyes, wiping a tear that has fallen down her cheek with his thumb. She looks up into his eyes, her gaze searching.
Finally, Addison nods and then leans into Parker's chest, allowing him to pull her into him. To comfort her, to make her feel protected and safe. This here…this is her finally fully trusting Parker, and he's overjoyed with happiness.
She breathes deep and her body relaxes a little. He holds her, playing with the ends of her hair, softly. Tugging gently every so often.
They just sit together on the edge of the bed, holding each other. Breathing each other in. Comforting each other. He knows she's scared. She knows he's angry at the situation. She knows he will fight Derek to protect her and London with his life. He knows he will win her heart in the end.
After what seems like a lifetime of holding each other, Addison slowly eases back from Parker's arms.
"I'm going to get London ready for bed. She's getting tired."
Parker notices London rubbing her eyes and nods his agreement. "Okay. Do you want to come back out here when you're done? We could watch a movie together, or maybe talk a bit if you're up to it?"
They have both made progress in trusting and sharing what's happening, and Parker needs more information on Derek. Although he is loathe to ask her about it now, there's really little choice with the guy closing in on them. He wants to know what this is capable of, other than beating women. Does he own any weapons of any kind? He wants to be prepared.
Remote in the Shadows: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Page 7
