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“How did you get out of there?”
Carrie sits and starts drying herself before she reaches for the clothes I’ve brought her and slips them on. The warm fluffy socks, she seems to appreciate more than anything.
“I was at the bar when this man told me that your husband and friend would help me get away. I didn’t know what to think, but I had nothing to lose so I went over and dropped onto your friends lap and begged for help. They brought me here.” Carrie looks at me and I’ve never seen anyone look so lost before.
I put my arm around her shoulders as I sit beside her. “My husband is a good man, and so is Julian, and my father, Jarrod. They’ll do anything they can to keep you safe so please don’t worry about anyone getting to you. You’re safe here.”
Carrie looks at me for a long time before she nods. “I believe you.”
“Let’s go downstairs and get something to eat,” I suggest.
Reaching out, I help Carrie to her feet and pray she manages to keep herself upright, but no need for me to worry because when we exit the guest room, Julian is waiting and picks her up into his arms.
“I’ll carry you,” he says, softly.
I raise my brows in surprise, wondering what’s gotten into him. If he’s doing this to piss Parker off then I think it’s going to be working. But I don’t think my friend deserves this much grief from him.
I worry at my bottom lip as I follow them into the kitchen. Hunter raises a brow in question at Julian and Carrie, but I shake my head and move to sit on his lap and sigh when I feel his arms wrap around me.
“Are you okay?” he asks me, moving my hair over my shoulder, following it with a kiss.
“I am now that you’re home.” I offer him a small smile because it’s the truth.
I’ve always worried about his line of work but non
e as much as I have since the other night when I thought I’d never see him again.
“Parker, is there any chili left?” Julian asks my friend.
I watch as Parker sighs and starts moving out of the kitchen. “It’s in a tub in the fridge. I have somewhere else to be.”
Julian grows angry, saying something under his breath while I whisper to Hunter, “I’m going to see what’s up with her.” He squeezes my hips and lets me up. I quickly place a quick kiss on his sweet lips and jog after Parker.
I find her in the room she uses while she’s here, packing. “Hey, where are you off to?”
She doesn’t answer but very slowly turns to face me and that’s when I see the tears rolling down her face.
“Oh, Parker.” I rush over and wrap my arms around her. “He’s only being kind to her.”
She shakes her head and pulls away. “He says whatever I feel for him isn’t real. He says that it’s the situation and that if I think that he’d ever be interested in someone like me then I’m stupid.”
“Wow.” I drop to her bed. “What an asshole. I can’t believe he said that. It’s obvious to everyone that he has feelings for you. You must see that, Parker?”
“It doesn’t matter. I’m leaving. I don’t care anymore.” She laughs erratically. “He’s finally got what he wants… Me leaving him alone and going after someone closer to my own age.”
“Parker, I really don’t think that’s the best thing for you to do,” I admit.
“Gia.” She tugs me into her arms, and whispers, “You and Ivy are my best friends, but I can’t stay here with you anymore while Julian is also inside these walls. I just can’t do it.”
I back out of the room, leaving her to pack, and then quickly make my way downstairs to find Julian. He can’t let her leave. Not while there’s still a threat out there to us all.
“Where’s Julian?” I glance around the kitchen only seeing Hunter and my father.
“He’s taken Carrie up to bed. She was falling asleep at the table.” Hunter frowns. “What’s up? You okay?” he asks, spotting my frown.
“I am… Parker’s packing to leave,” I mumble.
My father stands. “She can’t leave.”
