International Guy: Volume 4

by Carlan, Audrey

  Dennis’s eyes get bright with unshed tears, and his entire face turns a dark shade of pink. “You don’t understand. They just haven’t been able to accept my sexual orientation yet. I still have hope that one day they will. I figure the more they see Paul and me happy together, they’ll accept it, like Raissa does.” He points to his sister, whose sorrowful gaze is on her brother. She blows him a kiss but stays out of the conversation.

  Fucking bigots!

  “I don’t like this. I won’t be around people, break bread with a family who loathes my brother because he’s in love with their son. Nuh-uh, no way.” I breathe deep several times, look out over at the mountain range, and catch a glimpse of the Christ statue standing tall, spreading love and unity over the land, just not in this household.

  “One thing I know to be true in this life is that each and every one of us has to be honest with ourselves. Leave family obligation at the door. When you take the hand of the person you’re meant to be with, the person you love with your entire being, that person becomes your family. Everyone else, that’s icing on the cake of your life, man.”

  “Parker . . . in time they’ll understand,” Dennis tries again.

  I’m not having it. “Sorry. Until that day comes, I can’t be here. I won’t support it. You be you, in all things, Dennis. That I will support. Not this. There will never be a time where I can sit back and accept the hate I just experienced directed at my brother because of your love and your relationship. It took a Herculean effort for Paul to come out to me that he was bisexual and was in love with you. He did it again when he introduced you to my family. They may not have understood this new development right off the bat, but they never spread hate or treated you poorly. As a matter of fact, they rolled with this information about their son and opened their arms to the man he loves. You need to think about that. Your family needs to think about that. Right now, we’re outta here. Baby?” I take Skyler’s hand in mine, and she holds on tight.

  “We love you, Dennis,” Skyler says, but follows me toward the entrance to the house.

  When I reach the door, I hear Royce’s voice and glance over my shoulder. He’s got Dennis in a man hug and is smacking his back hard, the sound echoing over the angry bees buzzing in my head.

  “You got some soul-searchin’ to do, my brother. See you tomorrow.” He gives one last slap, and his big form twists, heading our way. I wait a moment while my brother stands in front of Dennis.

  “I’m going with them. Are you coming with me or staying here?” Paul asks his man, the love of his life.

  He holds out his hand for Dennis to take. Dennis looks at the many faces watching him. I hold my breath and grit my teeth, waiting to see if Dennis makes the right choice, all in front of his family.

  Dennis glances at my brother’s hand, closes his eyes once as a tear slides down his face. Then he puts his hand into Paul’s, his other one reaching up to cup my brother’s face.

  “Paulo, I go where you go. Minha família.”

  7

  SKYLER

  The warm body lying next to me shifts for the millionth time. A heavy sigh leaves Parker’s lips while his fingers slide along the fleshy expanse of my thigh. I’m not sure he even realizes he’s doing it, but something is definitely bothering my man. It’s still early, and sunlight is barely peeking through the slit in the curtains. I ease my hand over Parker’s chest slowly, kissing his chest where my head has been resting while my hand maps the planes of muscle and smooth skin.

  For a couple of minutes, I wait to see if he’ll say anything, ease the burden that’s stealing his sleep. When he doesn’t, I figure it’s time I wade in. “Honey, you’ve been restless all night. You want to talk about it?”

  The arm that’s around me tightens, and he brings his other arm up and over until I catch what he’s trying to do and shimmy to the side, both of us facing one another.

  “Last night was a shit show,” he grumbles tiredly, his voice scratchy and uneven.

  “Agreed,” I whisper, but wait for him to open his heart and mind and let all the nasty out that’s plaguing him.

  “It’s not right. Paul and Denny shouldn’t have to hide their relationship from the people who are supposed to love them the most.”

  Parker is such a good man. Worrying his night away about the situation regarding his brother and his chosen mate. I reach out and trace Parker’s plump lips with two of my fingers. “You’re right. True love is unconditional. Unfortunately, people can be very closed-minded. It sounds to me like his parents are having trouble reconciling to the idea that their son is gay.”

  “But why? Who he sleeps with, who he gives his heart to, is none of their fucking business.”

  I run my hand through Parker’s sleep-tousled hair. “Except, when you’re in a tight-knit family, it seems that everything is open to judgment and conjecture. The downside to having a loving, involved family is that they believe they do have the right to express their likes and dislikes about your life. Not that I have much experience, other than Tracey.” I frown, thinking about how I left things with her at the hospital. My heart sinks knowing that our relationship has been seriously damaged, and I’m not sure how to deal with the blows it’s taken.

  Parker takes me out of my own pity party for one. “My parents have always been involved, or at the very least on the sidelines, cheering us on, making themselves available if we need them, but they would never force their viewpoints on us. We make our own decisions.”

  A small chuckle bursts from me as I think about Momma Ellis. “I’m not so sure that’s entirely true, honey. Your mother is all over your and the guys’ lives, as is Pops. They’re just more supportive and intrusive in an acceptable way than Dennis’s family. If something doesn’t hurt you, the Ellis clan will step back and let you deal. However, when you were in the hospital, your mom made some pretty hefty waves, pushing the staff around, sometimes even me around.” I laugh. “Definitely nagging your dad. And she had all of the guys running whatever errands she deemed appropriate. She even sent home chicken soup with us when Wendy and Mick brought us to their home, as if they didn’t have a full kitchen staff or weren’t capable of taking care of us.”

  He grins, and the sunlight coming into the room hits his face, making those blue eyes sparkle. “You’ve got a point there.”

  “I know I do. And she’s completely inserted herself into the planning for Wendy’s wedding, along with Momma Sterling. Those two together are like double trouble.”

  Parker frowns. “My mother is a woman with no daughters, and Wendy is a woman with no mother. She’s stepping in, helping out.”

  “Mm-hmm. Which could be considered intrusive and annoying if Wendy didn’t eat up the familial attention like a dog to a bone. It happens to be something she wants and needs in her life, and your mother is happy to give it to her. Which is probably how Lucia feels about Dennis. She thinks he’s doing something wrong, and she’s stepping up with a firm hand to express it. You see, honey, you can say whatever you want, but families are families. They have their own methods.”

  Parker flinches. “What happened last night was cruel. Are you telling me you think she was in the right?”

  “Heck no! She was way out of line. In fact, she erased the line altogether. What I’m trying to say to you is she probably felt that it was within her right.”

  “And that brings me to my next issue. Why would Dennis bring us there in the first place? It makes no sense.”

  I nod. “Do I agree with how they’re acting about Dennis and Paul being a couple . . . absolutely not. The things she said were horrifying. However, we can’t blame Dennis for his desire to have his family accept the man in his life. My guess is that he brought us all there hoping that it would somehow soften them to the idea. See how easily Paul’s family accepts them, and maybe it would rub off.”

  “You think?”

  I shrug. “It’s possible. Just please, swear you won’t have a go at Denny, okay? He has enough emotional baggage t
o fill up a fleet of planes. Besides, practice what you preach. If you don’t want them involved in your brother’s relationship and how he lives his life, you need to respond the same. We lead by example, right?”

  Parker smiles, hooks me at the waist, and rolls on top of me. I open my legs as he settles between them.

  “Damn, my woman is smart.” He slides his nose along mine, holds his upper body aloft by his forearms, and drives his fingers through my hair to cup my head. A warmth settles all over my body now that I can see Parker’s worry slipping away.

  I chuckle, and he pecks my lips.

  “And staggeringly beautiful . . . ,” he continues, and kisses me again.

  “Generous and insatiable in bed . . .” He waggles his brows and nibbles on my lips.

  He kisses me deeply when I start to laugh against his parted lips.

  “And she loves me.” He closes his eyes and rests his forehead on mine. “You really love me. I can hardly believe it’s true.”

  I smile wide. “Straight down to your bones, honey.”

  “Speaking of boning . . .” He prods against my panties with his steely length, and I’m incapable of ignoring the immediate arousal shooting through my body and settling between my thighs.

  Much later, Parker is donning his professional gear with the intention of meeting Royce at Denny’s family business when I hear my phone buzzing on the dresser across the room. The type of buzz is announcing a new text. I get out of bed, my limbs feeling languid, my entire body well sated. I smile at Parker as I walk by him completely nude.

  “Christ!” He groans, his gaze all over my form.

  “Remember that word. You promised we’d go to see the real deal before we leave. It’s on my bucket list, so you can’t back out.”

  “Peaches, looking like that, you could ask me for just about anything and get your way.” His eyes blaze with renewed heat and desire.

  I grin as I dig through my purse, searching for the blasted phone. I pull it out and notice a series of texts and voice mails that I’ve missed since yesterday.

  The first is from Rachel, and I move quickly to open it, wondering about Nate’s status. Leaving only a few days after the explosion stressed me out, but I knew it was for the best. If we’re far away, the person who’s trying to hurt me and Parker won’t have a sitting target.

  From: Rachel Van Dyken

  To: Skyler Paige

  Nate’s awake. Feisty as hell. Hates that you’re away and he’s not there for you. Be safe. Tell your soldier you better not come home with a scratch or he’ll be dealing with us.

  My chest tightens as I reread the message, my belly fluttering with happiness at seeing he’s on the mend. I feel an intense relief in the portion of my heart that was hurting for Nate. Knowing he’s awake and giving his wife trouble is a great sign. You don’t keep a man like Nate Van Dyken down for long.

  “Nate’s doing good, honey!” I call out to Parker, who’s standing at the vanity in the bathroom brushing his teeth. He turns my way and grins a foamy, toothpaste-filled smile, toothbrush caught between his teeth as he gives me a thumbs-up.

  I move back toward the bed and find my man’s dress shirt from last night and slip it on over my naked body. Scanning the room, I see my panties peeking out from the coverlet at the end of the bed. With a quick wiggle and a hop, I’ve got them on under his shirt. The next text has my attention as I sit on the bed and run my fingers through my sleep- and sex-mussed hair. The message is from Tracey. I inhale a full breath as the thought of her makes tears prick at the backs of my eyes.

  From: Tracey Wilson

  To: Skyler Paige

  I hate that we’re fighting. I went to the IG office to see you and no one will tell me where you are. I’m worried about you, Birdie. Call me. Please.

  There’s another text from her right on the heels of the last one.

  From: Tracey Wilson

  To: Skyler Paige

  I took your advice and went home. I’m back in New York. You have all my numbers. Please call me. I need to know that you’re okay. I love you.

  She loves me.

  My throat feels dry as I attempt to swallow down her words. If she freakin’ loved me, she would be more understanding and supportive about the man I intend to share the rest of my life with. We’re buying a home. We’ve adopted animals. He’s never, not ever going away. Why can’t she see that and be happy for me?

  Tracey has been the only family I’ve had most of my entire life, and especially after my parents died. When their boat exploded, I thought I’d lost everything. My best friend didn’t lie when she said she picked me up and put me back together. Well, she and Johan.

  Johan.

  The woman I trusted most in the world was feeding my boyfriend drugs and women. All because she believed he wasn’t worthy of me. Now she thinks Parker’s going to do the same, or something similar. There’s nothing she could offer him that would make him take a penny or cheat. He had the opportunity to bed Alexis in Montreal, and he didn’t take her up on the offer. And technically, at the time, he thought we weren’t together. Still, he stayed true to me and our love. He was hurt, broken up about what he assumed I did with Johan, or rather what Johan alluded to doing with me, yet he was faithful. Why can’t Tracey see that he loves me fully and completely? That our future is together? I’m happy because of him. Blissfully elated, with nothing but a beautiful life ahead, and my best friend can’t wrap her head around it.

  Why?

  My phone buzzes in my hand, and I look down. My heart begins to pound, ice filling my veins at the name of the caller. I tug the coverlet toward my chest and read the message.

  From: Unknown

  To: Skyler Paige

  Come out, come out, wherever you are.

  “Parker!” I cry out, and hear something fall to the vanity in the bathroom before he’s coming my way at a dead run. The pups see the action and think it’s time to play, running after him and nipping at his heels.

  “What’s wrong?” he says as I jump up from the bed and wrap my arms around him, my entire form shaking like a leaf.

  “He’s back.”

  “Who’s back, baby?”

  I release the Superwoman hold I have on his form and hand him my phone. He takes it and reads the message, his jaw turning to stone along with his gaze. He presses a few buttons and puts the phone to his ear with one hand, the other wrapped around my waist. Parker leads me back the few feet it takes to get to the bed and sits us both down.

  “Skyler just got another text. Can you trace it?” he barks into the phone. “Conference Paul in, Wendy,” he demands. He turns his face to me. “It’s okay, baby. You’re safe here. We’re far, far away from Boston. Nothing’s going to happen to you.”

  I nod but lock both of my arms around his waist and press my face against his chest. His heart is beating rapidly, but hearing it settles me some.

  “Yeah, she got another text. I don’t know; let me look. Give me a minute.” He presses the speaker button and curls his fingers around my hand where I’m gripping his lapels. “Sky, baby, you gotta let me get to my phone.”

  “Oh, sorry.”

  He smiles and kisses my forehead. “Never be sorry for holding on to your man like your life depends on it.” He winks and grins one of his sexy-assed smiles. It helps ease my fear but doesn’t completely relieve the anxiety. What he doesn’t realize is I’m not scared for me. It’s him. I couldn’t handle it if something happened to him because some freak is obsessed with me.

  Parker shuffles me around a little, pressing me more to his side than his chest, and tugs out his phone from his breast pocket. He slides his thumb over the imprint, and the display comes to life, showing he’s got a handful of messages. My heart pounds and my freak-o-meter flares when I see the telltale “Unknown” in his list of received texts.

  I wrap my arm around his abdomen and take in a full breath, holding it when he clicks on the text and reads it to Wendy and Paul.

  From: Unknown />
  To: Parker Ellis

  You didn’t learn your lesson. Now I hurt you the way you hurt me.

  “What the fuck does that mean?” Parker grits through his teeth, taking the phone off speaker and plastering it to his ear. “He blew up my apartment, set fire to Skyler’s penthouse, almost killed Nate, and is scaring the fuck out of my woman!” His voice is a bearlike roar into the phone. “Fuck!”

  I close my eyes and say a little prayer that whatever this person is threatening, he’s not capable of getting to the man I love. What the entire team doesn’t know is, if given the chance, I’d willingly serve myself up on a silver platter if it means no harm will come to Parker.

  “Another goddamned untraceable burner? Great. Attempt to get the cell towers it pinged. Yeah, that got us nowhere last time.” His tone is sarcastic, bordering on condescending.

  He listens for a moment; then his shoulders slump, and he tucks me deeper against his side. “I’m sorry, Wendy, I don’t mean to ride your ass. You’re doing all you can. Ignore me. I’m just frustrated.” His voice softens. “Yes, we’ve got all our trackers in place. Taking every precaution.” His lips twitch into a slow grin. “I don’t know when we’re coming home. Best guess, a few days. Paul, anything from your friends?”

  His body stiffens, and his spine straightens. “Really? That’s interesting. Who do you have talking to him? Excellent. Text me the person’s name and photo if you’ve got it.” He chuckles. “Of course you have it. Stupid me. Sorry, minxy. Yeah, yeah, I’ll tell her. Just get me the info. Paul, you’ll meet us here in thirty?” he asks. “See you then. I’ll be in touch, Wendy.”

  Parker presses the “End” button on his phone and turns sideways so he can cup both of my cheeks and look into my eyes.

  “First of all, it’s gonna be okay. You believe me?”

  I lick my lips and nod, searching his clear-blue eyes for any hint of doubt, and find none.