Love beyond the mask (Whitney) novel Chapter 732

Fugitive?

Tiana felt so enraged she could spit blood. She had definitely let her guard down in a moment of sheer frustration thanks to her scumbag uncle and cousin. Now, they had her cornered.

She could see their henchmen, a hundred meters away, shining flashlights in her direction.

Panicking, Tiana turned on her heels, ready to make a run for it.

"Freeze!" Parker's voice, cold yet somehow laced with a dangerous allure, cut through the night air. "Where do you think you're going?"

Before Tiana could utter a word, Parker, tall and imposing, dashed towards her with the speed of lightning.

Tiana, frightened by Parker's ferocity, stepped back until her feet hit the cold seawater, shivering from the chill. "Parker, are you even human? How could you side with your uncle to capture me?

I didn't even confront you about last night or your accusations this morning.

What more do you want?

Let me tell you, if you force me to go back, I'll jump into the sea right now and end it all...ah!"

Before she could finish, Parker was already in front of her, sweeping her off her feet in one swift motion.

"Ah! Let me go! I don't want your kind of help!"

"Enough already. You're so noisy," Parker retorted, his peachy eyes showing a hint of cold indifference.

"Put me down!"

"And let you jump into the sea?" He scoffed, detached.

"I refuse to be taken back by you!"

"Do you think I want to bring you back? If it weren't for my uncle pressuring me... Besides, this island is home to wild beasts, and the sea is infested with sharks. Are you sure you want to spend the night here and end up as a pile of bones?"

Tiana glanced nervously at the sea behind her, shivering at the thought.

Sharks in such shallow waters? Was he bluffing?

"If you don't believe me, go ahead and try."

Parker’s eyes narrowed slightly. "Ever heard of the infamous tiger sharks of Saltland Island? They can swallow a person whole."

Damn.

Tiger sharks?!

After a second of consideration, Tiana's resolve wavered as she clung tighter to Parker's neck, albeit subtly. "I-I'm not scared of your scare tactics! You think I'm easily frightened?"

She refused to admit her fear.

"Is that so?" Parker glanced at her, finding her puffed-up cheeks and wide, nervous eyes somewhat adorable, like a little squirrel. He smirked, "Then perhaps you shouldn't cling to me so tightly."

"…Who's clinging to you!"

"Oh?" Parker raised an eyebrow, deliberately loosening his grip.

"Ah, what are you doing…" Tiana’s legs dipped into the icy water!

The cold sensation spiked her fear of lurking sharks. "Damn it, Parker, why are you tormenting me?"

"You're not scared, right? Just a tiger shark, and you're panicking?" His lips curled up mockingly.

His mischievous and careless demeanor reminded her of a rascal teasing a young girl.

But he was too handsome, his playfulness only partially concealed by his rimless glasses. The Parker she knew was always ruthless yet discreet.

Now, under the moonlight, the man before her seemed indifferent, adding a layer of aloofness to his bad-boy charm.

Tiana was dazzled by his sexiness but also infuriated by his taunts, her face flushing with anger. "Are you done?"

"Are you getting in or not?" he asked, losing patience.

"Go to hell." Tiana exploded. "Last night was a mistake. I won’t be used by you and your uncle as a cure anymore.

Parker, you've disappointed me profoundly. You're heartless. Just stay here and rot. I'm going back to Emperor City."

Her words were laced with fury.

"Without my permission, you're not going anywhere!