I know, I'm sorry. She's just got me in knots. I love her but I'm so afraid of scaring her when she finds out about us. I don't want her to run.
She won't run if you tell her and then show her. Be easy on her. She's our mate, she'll accept us both for who we are.
I know. I just don't want to lose her, Parker replies.
His cat continues through the woods, sometimes running, sometimes walking. They get down to the river, lapping up the cool water, then to decide to head back home.
Home…that's where his future lies. Home with Addison and London. His cat picks up the pace and is eager to see her again. To hold her again. Addison.
***
Back at the house, Addison figures she can clean the bathroom, and kitchen, since Parker is out for his run, whatever that entails. Who even runs that far and back?
It's just after two in the afternoon and London is sleeping in her crib, lunch is cleaned up, and the house is cleaned as well. She sits down on the couch and flips on the television to waste some time until Parker comes back.
A few minutes later, Addison hears a vehicle come down the drive and flips the power to the screen off. She gets up and walks to the big bay window and glances around through the gauzy curtains. She can see a big black truck coming to a stop in front of the house and a familiar man in the front driver's seat.
Derek.
She gasps, and steps away from the window. She quickly checks the lock on the door and then runs quietly into her room, shutting that door with a soft click. She sits on her bed, with her knees tucked up tight to her chest and biting her thumbnail. Praying that London stays asleep.
Knock. Knock. Knock.
Ten seconds pass.
Knock, knock, knock. His fist on the front door again.
Addison cringes even more, pressing her back into the headboard of the bed. She can hear muffled voices coming from outside and she runs to her door wondering who it is. Quickly unlocking the bedroom door then running to the front door, unlocking that, too.
Addison listens to the voices outside and makes out that it's Derek… and Parker…
"Yeah, well, this is my property and I'm asking, nicely, for you to leave."
"Yeah, well, you have my property in that fucking house and I want it back. It's mine!" Derek yells at Parker.
"Listen, fucknut, I don't know what planet you came from, but here in Oregon, people are not property. They are human beings and we treat our women with respect. You got that, asshole?" Parker is trying to keep calm.
Addison opens the door and Derek turns to her.
"Addison, get your fat fucking ass out here and in the fucking truck, now! Stop being a whore and get out here! You're mine and I own you, bitch!"
Parker shoves Derek off the front porch and pushes him all the way to his truck, away from Addy.
Derek is stumbling and tripping backward the whole way.
"Listen here you piece of shit, if I ever hear you or smell your rotten stench again, I will kill you, do you hear me, dickhead?"
"You and what army? You're pussy-whipped from her, aren't you? You're a cunt! That's my pussy and I'm coming back for it. Stay out of my way, she's mine, and I'm coming back to get my property. You can have the fucking kid and do whatever with her, she just gets in my way." Derek yells in Parker's face and has been pointing a grimy finger in Addison's direction.
"Don't even think of it. I'll kill you before you get onto my property." Parker talks in a low, deadly voice. Addison can just barely hear him from the edge of the front porch.
"Just wait, you fuck, I'm gonna kick your ass so bad, and then I'll make you watch me fuck Addison's ass. Not like I haven't done that before. And she takes it so well. She loooovvves it!" Derek snarls and looks over to Addison.
Parker grabs the front of Derek's shirt and slams him up against his truck. "You're a fucking asshole and I'll put your ass six feet under before you can blink. Don't ever talk about Addy like that again, you hear me? Or I'll kill you right in front of her. You've lost her. I've claimed her. She's mine because she wants to be, not because I'm making the choice for her," he yells in Derek's face.
Addison can't believe what she just heard. ‘You've lost her. I've claimed her. She's mine because she wants to be, not because I'm making the choice for her.' Those words just came from Parker. ‘I've claimed her.'
Claimed her? I haven't been claimed. What does that mean? This isn't some kind of an animal mating ritual.
She continues to watch the argument between the two men and hopes Derek leaves soon. He has no business being here. Parker's right. She doesn't belong to him anymore. She never belonged to anyone. She's her own person.
"Get out of here, Derek. You're not welcome here!" Addison shouts at Derek before she thinks about saying it, crossing her arms over her chest.
"Shut your fucking mouth, little girl, before I fill it for you!" Derek points at her.
Parker grabs Derek again by his shirt, pulls him away from the truck, opens the door and practically lifts him up into it, slamming the door behind him.
"Get the fuck out of here or I swear I will kill you right here, right now!" Parker screams at Derek. Just barely holding his leopard in from bursting out at the seams and tearing the fucker into shreds.
Derek starts the truck, backs up, and then floors it down the long driveway, ripping up rocks and pebbles, throwing them back at Parker. As he's driving out of sight, Derek flips them the middle finger out the window as a goodbye gesture.
Parker looks up to Addison, his hands resting on his hips. Her face is ghostly white and she looks like she's going to pass out. Parker runs up to her on the front porch and cradles her in an embrace.
"Addy, are you okay, honey? Do you need to sit down?" He's clearly worried about her over this ordeal.
"Parker, I spouted off to him. I've angered him even more. He knows I'm here with London and he'll be back for me. He won't stop until he gets me back or kills me, I'm sure of it. Or he'll do something to London just to hurt me. I can't even think of what he would do to her." Clearly in panic mode, Addison breaks down crying and trembling in Parker's thick, strong arms.
Parker walks her into the house and shuts the door behind them. Walking her over to the couch, they both sit down, holding each other.
A moment later, London shouts out, letting them know that she's now awake. Now that she's up, Parker can't really comfort Addy like he wants to. Nothing sexually, just to give her soft touches and gentle kisses.
Addison starts to get up and Parker says, "No, stay here. I'll get her." He softly kisses her on the forehead.
While Parker is getting London from her crib and changing her diaper, he breathes deep to release the tension of the moments that just passed. Releasing that tension before he's with his girls. No negativity from that asshole.
He breathes deep once again and then grins at London standing up, her hands on his shoulders balancing while he pulls her cotton pants up over her diaper.
Sliding his hands under her armpits, and hoisting her on his hip, he leaves the bedroom and enters the living room. He quickly glances at the clock, almost dinnertime.
He sets London on the floor and asks Addy if she's hungry.
"I'm hungry, yes. I'm sorry I forgot to take something out for dinner. I cleaned your house while you were out running."
"I saw that when I came in. Thank you. You didn't need to do that. Let me grab a quick shower and we can go out, if you're up to it?" He asks.
"Sure, I'm going to go wash my face and I can be ready in a few minutes." She gets up and pulls London from the floor.
Parker walks up to Addison and pulls her closer to his chest, rubbing his hands over her back and shoulders.
"It's going to be okay, Addy. He won't do you or London any harm. Do you trust me to keep you both safe?"
"Yes, Parker. I do trust you. I'm just afraid that Derek will come back and hurt you or take London from us." She expresses her concern. Not about her, but for him and her daught
er.
"Addy, I want to talk to you, but not with London here. Let's go to dinner and when we put her to bed later, we can talk." Parker cups his hand over her cheek, and leans in to kiss her lips, softly.
London giggles and pats his cheek.
Parker pats her hand with his and turns to go upstairs to take his shower.
Addison goes into her bathroom, setting London on the floor with toys while she washes her face free of the tears. Addison can hear the shower turn on and knows Parker's naked.
She didn't really get to see him in all his glory last night, but if and when the next time comes, she's going to look and lick and learn every flat, muscular dip and plane of his body.
Just thinking back to Parker making love to her, heats her up again. She washes her face in cooler water and eases the heat rushing over her cheeks.
She pats her face dry with the towel and then walks back into the bedroom. She quickly packs a small bag for London and then picks her up from the floor, walking back to the living room to wait for Parker.
Waiting for Parker isn't a problem. He's worth waiting for.
Chapter Eleven
they get into Parker's truck and he drives them into town. He is searching around for the asshole that decided to grace them with his presence earlier. Parker can't see his truck anywhere and can only smell little bits of his scent around town.
He can't believe the balls Derek has for showing up on someone's property and demanding to take back a woman that he never earned the respect for.
He's proud of Addision for standing up to the jerk, and can't believe she spoke to him that way.
Parker is so happy she felt empowered and she wasn't afraid. Until Derek left and shot out that bit of a warning.
As the three of them take their seats at the diner, and London is placed in the high chair, Parker's been scenting the air, and looking around for Derek. So far, so good. No sign of him.
Parker chooses a buffalo burger and fries and Addison chooses a roast beef and cheese sandwich. London gets her usual finger food.
Parker and Addison make good conversation, and he's trying not to think about Derek while they finish their dinner.
On the way home, Parker can scent Derek but can't see where he is. He makes it home safely and gets Addy and London inside, locking the door behind them.
"What was the rush getting us in here?" Addison questions Parker.
"No rush, I just wanted to get inside. Maybe watch a movie?" Parker lies to Addison and feels guilty for it. He isn't one to lie.
"I want to get London in the bath before bed, then we can watch a movie, is that okay? Plus, you wanted to have a talk," Addison reminds him.
"Okay, give her a bath. I should make a phone call. Let me know when you're done. I'll be up in my room," Parker says, distracted.
He heads down the hallway while Addison takes London into the bathroom and runs some water in the large tub. He can hear London's laughs and giggles, as they bathe and the little girl is splashing Addison.
Parker's up in his bedroom, and the call goes through.
"Hello? Wow, I get two calls from you in a month, and nothing for a few years. How sweet!" The voice answers.
"Max, I need your help. The situation is at its peak and I want back up in the woods in case I'm not here and that asshole comes while I'm running," Parker answers gruffly.
"You haven't gotten rid of the situation yet?" Max questions.
"I had't found him until the fucker came knocking on my door this afternoon while I was running," Parker informs Max.
"Have you made Addison your mate yet? Then she could defend herself, you know."
"I haven't gotten that far with her. I would love to, but I don't want to scare her either," Parker says.
"I hear you. Is she your true mate? Has your leopard already told you?"
"Yes, she's my soul mate. I can feel it and my leopard is scratching to get out and claim her as ours." Parker sighs. "I almost lost control this afternoon when Derek was here. The shit that was spewing from his mouth was bad and I just about killed him right there."
"Damn, man. You can't show her by killing a man in front of her!" Max scolds Parker.
"I know! I held back, but he was just saying disrespectful things, talking nasty about her just to push me. I would have shredded him right there if she wasn't there behind me," Parker growls.
Max growls back, "Parker, I've got your back, man. When and where, my friend? When and where?"
Parker tells him about what happened when he got back to the house, with Derek standing on the front porch. He told Max some of things Derek had said about Abby, and Max and Parker both were growling at that.
By the time Parker and Max end their call, Parker needed a run, but couldn't because of the promise of talking and a movie with Addison. He needs to calm down. On the promise of friends patrolling on their off time around the house and property, Parker feels better about Addison and London's safety while he runs.
He treks down the stairs to Addison who waiting on the couch, curled up in the corner with the blanket covering her. She looks up to him when he walks over and she wipes her eyes of the lingering tears.
"Hey now. What's with the tears?" Parker sits next to her and pulls her to his chest. Encompassing her in his arms.
She's unable to do the same because her arms are trapped under the blanket and she tenses, but then relaxes into Parker.
"I'm just overwhelmed that he's found us and I'm scared," Addison confesses.
"Addison, I've told you before. I will not let him hurt you or London. You have to believe in me on that, okay?"
Parker sits back from Addison and rubs her arms with his hands. She pulls her arms out from the blanket and sits back into the couch, resting her head on the back couch cushion.
"Can we have our talk now? I want to ask you some questions and I want to tell you a little about me, is that okay?" Parker asks her cautiously, watching her face.
Looking confused, she nods her head, "Okay. Sure. What do you want to know?"
This is a good thing, Parker thinks. She's open to questions and he can let her know about his leopard a bit at a time before he's forced to show her.
Parker turns to the side and grasps her hands in his. "Well, I want to start on this house and my property." He takes a deep breath in and whooshes it back out. Here goes nothing.
She'll be fine. Just ease into the conversation. Tell her about you and your family. About Hailey and your parents, Parker's cat whispers with in his head.
"Okay, so… This house has been in my family for many generations. Each generation added updates, improvements, things like that. Umm… I'm an only child and both of my parents have passed away."
"Oh, Parker, I'm so sorry."
"It's okay. They were traveling and hit ice. Totaled the car. They were both life lifted but the injuries they sustained were what killed them. Ummm… My grandparents are no longer here either, but I have friends that live close and that is who I called."
"Okay. I have no problem with you calling people, Parker. I understand." Addison squeezes his hands in hers.
Parker looks to Addison's eyes and she's interested in what he's saying to her. Keep going. His leopard encourages him.
"I want you to know when Derek comes back to try to take you away with him, he won't succeed, because no matter what he does to me, ever, he won't hurt me. I heal very fast," Parker tries to explain.
"Okay, I know you're protecting London and me. Healing fast. Okay. I'm confused on what you're really trying to tell me here, Parker." Addison sits back, pulling away from him and looking as confused as she professes to be.
Parker lets go of her hands and lets her get more comfortable. He sits back more into the couch cushion, relaxing and looking into her beautiful eyes. He loves her.
"Addison, I want to ask you something. Have you heard of shape shifters?"
Nice! Good way to introduce her. Let her tell you about what she knows about us. The leopard
praises him.
"Yes. I read about them in my ebooks," She replies.
"Okay, well then tell me about those."
"Okay. Well, there are men and women who are human who can change into animals. They're strong. They're loyal to their mates, protective. They sometimes live in packs or alone. They heal very fast and are hard to kill." Addison looks up to Parker's face and it's like a light bulb just went on in her head. She gasps and her hands fly to her mouth, covering her shock.
"Addison, you're right on all of those facts. Maybe some of those authors are shape shifters as well." Parker eases closer to her.
He knows Addison can't believe what she thinks Parker has just told her, or rather what she's thinking. Parker is a shifter. "Shape shifters aren't real. People write about them in books. They make them up."
Parker says gently, "Addison, did you ever wonder why those authors might know so much about shifters?"
"I don't know. Made them up?"
Parker looks at her again and he can see the confusion lingering there. Time to fess up and come clean. Tell her now. She needs to know, Parker's cat whispers.
"Addison, Shifters are very real in our world. I have friends who are. Family who were." Parker slides his fingers with hers, intertwining them together.
She looks down to their fingers linked together then looks up to his face. Searching for something. The truth? A lie?
"So, what you're saying to me is this…that you're protecting London and me. You heal faster because you're a shifter?" Addison hesitates, then looks at their hands again.
Parker slowly releases a breath. "That's exactly what I'm telling you. Derek can't ever hurt me because I'm a shifter. I need you to believe in me, that I can protect you and London both. I won't get hurt because I can heal very fast."
"So, what? You're a wolf or bear or something inside?"
Parker chuckles, "No, sweetheart. I'm a black leopard. He's been clawing on the inside since we've met you and he's telling me that you're my soul mate. I've fallen in love with you, Addy. Once a shifter finds their mate, there is no one else that they want or need to be with."
Remote in the Shadows: A Paranormal Shapeshifter Romance Page 9
