Addicted to Mr Parks (The Parks Series #2)(30)

“Evelyn,” he called behind me, but I wasn’t listening.

“You know what,” I said, spinning around, “you look at me like everybody else looks at me when they find out I’m an alcoholic. People with addictions are real people too,” I spat, watching him wince at my words. “You don’t understand. Everyone sees a person as equal until they find out they have a disability, a mental problem, or an addiction.” I threw my hands in the air.

“That’s not true.” His grimace proved the point I was trying to prove, because he was one of those people. He left me when he found out about my addiction instead of treating me like a human being.

“I’m damaged, Wade. But I’m trying to fit my life back together, and I don’t think you realise how much of a struggle that is for me.” I thumped my palm against my chest. “My life is nothing but a struggle every single damn day. I’m rebuilding, but it’s going to be a slow process.”

His vivid green eyes softened, and his body sagged with pity for me, but I didn’t want it. I just wanted him to let me deal with it my way. Parks padded towards me, flexing the muscles of stone in the body he took care of building. “Then let me help you rebuild.”

“I can’t afford for you to abandon me again, Wade. Safe places don’t make people feel abandoned.”

“Come here.” He pulled me into his chest and wrapped his wide arms around me like my shield of protection as he held me secure and safe. “I will never again make you feel abandoned or lonely. And I can’t apologise enough for making you feel that way. Just know you’re here with me now, Evelyn, and I will make you feel special and wanted every damn day. You deserve the best. And the best is what I intend to give you.”

“Thank you,” I whispered, nuzzling into his chest. I couldn’t muster up the strength to tell him how much he meant to me when I was being held in his arms. I’d already poured my feelings out to him at my flat, and I shot myself in the foot. But I think he knew how I felt as my whole body relaxed and moulded against his, feeling warm, snug, and captured for the first time in my life. I could have easily stayed wrapped up in him all day.

Parks’s phone buzzed nearby, and when he leaned over to look at it, he sighed deeply. Gently pushing my hair out of my face, he bent down to press a kiss to my forehead. “Sleep, Princess. I have to catch up on a few things. I won’t be long.”

“Like what?” I yawned. His lips parted, and knowing damn well what he was about to say, I held a hand up. “Before you say, ‘I don’t want to concern you with what I do,’ I would like to know. I know it’s something that’s eating away at you. I can tell.”

His cocky smirk was back, undermining me. “You’re a body language expert now, are you?”

“Cut it out, Parks. Tell me. When you’re agitated, it gets me agitated, and you don’t want that, do you?” I wasn’t sure if my gimmick would work, but after vivaciously rubbing at his forehead, he gave in.

“It’s Lowry. He’s giving my people some shit, that’s all.”

“Lowry?” I pushed to an upright position.


“Yes. But I don’t want you to worry.” He swivelled on his bare heel and headed into his wardrobe.

“I saw Lowry not long ago,” I called after him.

Even though he was hidden in the depth of his wardrobe, I felt his body tense, and I immediately regretted telling him, because I didn’t want to sour his mood. “You did?” He didn’t emerge from the room. I knew whatever he was thinking wasn’t going to be pretty.

“Yeah.” My voice flowed a little awkwardly. “I saw the cuts you gave him.” My breath halted before I blew out my words in a hurry. “He threatened me.”

Parks came marching out of the wardrobe like an inferno in black boxers, fists balled. “He did what?”

I gulped because I found his Hulkness a turn-on. “He said he was going to make our lives hell. Going to the media or something.” I shrugged because I wasn’t bothered. What was bothering me was why I decided to tell Parks this. Evidently, he was going to act crazy.

“When was this?” He seethed murderously, his eyes dark and harrowing.

“Um.” I actually gulped. “Not long ago.”

He cursed and turned, about to punch the nearby mirror, but he clenched his fist and stopped himself. As a substitute, he spun back to me, waving his hands in anger. “Didn’t you think to tell me?”

Again, I gave another casual shrug. “It’s no big deal.”

He swiped his phone from the bedside table, punched in a number, and stalked out of the room. Unsure of what to do, I climbed out of the bed and paced the bedroom carpet, then fell back down onto the bed again. I didn’t want to follow him when he was in a rage. I knew from experience that when I was like that, those around me did well to leave me alone and let me ride it out.

An hour passed, and I was almost asleep after waiting so long, but Parks re-entered with a calmer presence.

“Who did you call?” I asked from the bed, my tone quick and firm.

“It doesn’t matter. It’s sorted. Lowry will wish he never made those threats towards you. Us. And so will anyone else who tries to stand in our way.” His powerful shoulders sagged. “I want us to work, Evelyn. And if anyone tries to jeopardise that, they will pay.”