Dirty Love (Fighting Dirty 1) - Page 29

“Of course you do, but you’ve been through a traumatizing series of events. You need to eat then we will talk.”

“Are you telling me I’m not free to leave? Because that would mean you are holding me here against my will Parker.” The throbbing pain in my head is beginning to dull, the fuzz is beginning to clear and I can now focus on one thought at a time.

He chuckles lightly, is he mocking me. What about this situation is funny? I do not like him very much right now. “Brandi, you are my guest. I merely meant that you should eat something and then we can talk about how best to handle the delicate nature of your situation. The cops have not been involved up to this point. I am sure you can understand that a man with my stature would like to keep such things quiet. I get enough of a spotlight from the press as it is. If they caught wind of this…well it will only be a matter of time before you are the topic of a made for TV movie.”

Parker’s words should comfort me but they don’t. The way he talks down at me really infuriates me. “Though I do suppose you will want to change your clothes first,” His gaze lingers over my breasts. Typical male behavior, I sigh bringing his attention back to my face. “I am sorry if the locked doors alarmed you. I was only thinking of your safety.” I nod to acknowledge his apology. I should be thankful for his rescuing me, but he seems to just piss me off every time he opens his mouth. “I’ll leave you to change. There are clothes in the closet that should be to your liking.”

He wasn’t kidding. The closet is like a dream, it is fully stocked in designer clothes and accessories. But what is he doing with them? Deciding on comfort I pick out a pair of jeans and a tank top. Finding a whole drawer full of hair twist and bands I sweep my hair into a low ponytail. Before joining Parker to dine I make my way to the bathroom and take care of my other pressing needs.

Chapter 9

Stepping out of the bedroom door I am met by the elderly gentleman from Parker’s office. “This way, Mr. Garrett is waiting for you.” Now I know where I am—Lucky 7 Promotions. I recognize the décor from his office. This floor matches. Knowing I am so close to going home makes me feel slightly better. A few weeks ago I dreamed of being taken, seduced by Parker Garrett, but now I can’t wait to get away from him. I want to go home and hug my brother’s neck. I want to see Royce and demand the answers I deserve. Most of all I want to know that my best friend is alright. The butler or whatever he is leads me into a dining room where Parkers is already having breakfast. His choice in food reveals the time of day.

“Please sit, eat, I ordered for you.”

"Parker, really it isn’t necessary. I am only curious to know how I arrived here and what your role in all of this is.”

“Well you might as well eat. I have quite a long story to tell you.”

“Okay.” Clearly he isn’t taking no as an answer. If eating with him gets me closer to home, then fine, I’ll play along for now.

Parker takes a drink of his juice and begins his account. One that is familiar, but this is a different take on the story entirely. “Years ago I was engaged to the love of my life, Elizabeth, she was everything I could ask for and more. But I wasn’t the only one who cared for her. My best friend at the time or so I thought—Royce— who I have learned you are intimately familiar with, he loved her as well. He boundlessly tried to steal her away from me to no avail. The morning we were to be married he convinced her to go for a drive with him, to give him a chance to say goodbye to her. That day my life changed in the most horrible way. Well I am sure Royce has told you his version of what happened...” He pauses and takes a bite of sausage, in turn giving me a moment to compare the differences between his version and Royce’s.

“I apologize for telling you a narrative you seem to already know, but I believe it only fair to give you my side of things so you can fully understand my part in Royce’s grand scheme.” Nodding is the only response I can give him; my heart hurts too badly to speak. “Elizabeth was pregnant, and to this day I don’t know if it was my baby or Royce’s she was carrying.” Hurt flashes across his face at mention of the unborn child. “Anyway, back to the point. Royce claims she was leaving with him that day, but I know in my heart she was prepared to marry me. You are sitting here today because of a grudge between Royce and me. Each of us blaming the other for the love that was lost, and the child we will never know. You are Royce’s revenge on me for Elizabeth. He wants to take you away from me like he thinks I took her from him. If you haven’t figured it out yet Brandi, I am Parker Garretti, head of the Garretti brother’s mob.”

My fork hits my plate with a loud clank. “When you started pursuing the cage girl career, Royce dumped you didn’t he?”

“Yes, that is correct.”

“Do you know why he dumped you? Did he ever tell you that you look a lot like Elizabeth? That is why he was attracted to you in the first place. Here I’ll show you her photo if you don’t believe me.” Parker slides his cell phone across the table to me, and as I look at the screen I am shocked by how much we resemble one another. Her hair is different than mine, but even her eye color is similar to my own. Before I can try to contact anyone the old man appears from thin air and takes the phone from my hand.

“Royce said he was afraid you would use me against him.”

“He would have said that. All a part of his plan Brandi. Royce ended things with you so that I would be free to pursue you. He knew that I wouldn’t be able to stay away from you once I laid eyes on you, because of how much you resemble her. And he was right. I saw the similarity immediately, and began pursuing you. I came into the gym every chance I got to watch you, to be near you. I just about thought you were her at first. I believed that fate was playing a hoax on me. Possibly you had faked your death, or Royce had faked your death. Perhaps you had amnesia, and didn’t remember me. So many scenarios played in my mind. But after talking to you once I knew you weren’t her, that didn’t stop my attraction to you though. I kept chasing you. Once I finally got you, Royce stepped back into the picture to snatch you away. He wasn’t finished there though. Royce hired Brad and Jake and implanted them in my organization. They set up the whole debt with Charlie. Charlie was never really in debt to me it was fabricated. Charlie was just easy to play and your brother. Of course he would do anything to protect his sister.”

“I need a moment, please.” Excusing myself from the table, I nearly collapse in the floor before I make it to the bathroom to throw up the aspirin, and little bit of food I have eaten. After a few tears, I compose myself, and return to Parker to hear the rest of what he has to say.

“May I continue?”

“Yes, please carry on,” I sneer. He’s enjoying this all too much.

“Your kidnapping was all just a rouse to make me look bad in your eyes, and make him out to be the hero. He planned on using my family's name to scare you and your brother. He created a fake threat, and you were an easy prey. He wanted you to think I was behind your brother having to fight to protect you, so you would think I am a monster, and want nothing to do with me. But his plan backfired; Brad and Jake sold this information to me. Money talks Brandi, always.”

“But why go to so much trouble?” His story makes sense, but I have my reservations. I dated Royce for three years. Why do all this now? It just doesn’t add up to me, but I don’t want Parker to think I suspect that he could be lying to me. That this could all very well be his revenge against Royce. Devil’s advocate and all.

“I am sorry Brandi, I should have told you that you looked like her—Elizabeth— the moment I first talked to you, but I didn’t want to scare you away. You can’t imagine what it was like for me to be near you, and feel close to her. It was wrong. I hope in time you can forgive me.”

“No harm no foul right? I really would like to call my brother now.” The look he is giving me is making me uneasy.

“I’m afraid that isn’t possible. Your brother is in the hospital; he’s had an accident.”

“What…wh—attt do you mean?” I scoot back abruptly causing my chair to turn over and hit the floor with a loud clatter. Parker gets up immediately, crossing the room, wanting to comfort me. “I have to go Parker! I need to get to my brother, please.” Tears are streaking down my face. I need to get to Kline. I plead with him to take me to my brother.

“Of course, I already have my car ready downstairs to take you.”

“I do have one question Parker, where did Tiffany fit into all of this?”

“Who’s Tiffany?” He asks as we step onto the elevator. I feel faint, if Parker doesn’t know who Tiffany is, does that mean he is telling me the truth about Royce.

Tags: Glenna Maynard Fighting Dirty Romance
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