In Your Eyes (Man of the Month 6)

He turned to her, his eyes hard on hers. "Do you trust me?"

She thought of all the horrible things that Carlton had said to her. Of all the accusations he'd made, and even the truth he'd told about Parker beating him up.

And then she looked into Parker's eyes.

"Yes," she said, without hesitation. "Absolutely, yes."

Chapter Fifteen

"Thanks, man," Parker said to Brent as they watched a local detective haul Carlton's complaining, bitching carcass away.

"Devon will make sure he gets on a plane back to LA," Brent said, "but he's only doing it as a favor to me. We can't really press charges for today. After all, you're the one who slugged him."

"I don't want him coming back," Parker said. "I don't want him ever getting close to Megan again."

"I've got an idea about that," the ex-cop said. "I said we can't press charges for today. But maybe the cops in LA can latch onto something from the past."

"I'm listening."

"You said you used to walk in the same circle as that piece of shit. How many women other than Megan do you think he harassed?"

"I don't know. A lot, I'd guess."

"So we talk to them. Get an investigator to do the leg work, then take the package to the cops, all wrapped up with a nice, shiny bow. He might do time. Even if he doesn't, it'll make it a hell of a lot easier to deal with him if he ever sets foot in Austin again."

Parker went rigid. "Do you think he will?"

Brent shook his head. "In my experience, no. That kind of guy wants to stay in control, but only in the shadows. Once the gig's exposed, he has no interest stepping into the light. He's not about revenge. He's about fear and humiliation and control. He knows Megan won't be afraid anymore. She has you."

"She damn sure does."

"But we'll still be careful," Brent said. "Just in case I'm wrong."

Parker nodded. "You have an investigator in mind?"

"I'm friends with a guy who heads up an Austin division of Stark International. He does a lot of security tech work, and he introduced me to the Stark International Security Chief. I figure any security guy who works for Damien Stark knows his shit."

"I'd think so," Parker agreed. He'd never met the billionaire in person, but he knew the man by reputation. "Will this security guy do you a favor?"

"I'm sure of it. Either him or someone else." He gave Parker a friendly clap on the shoulder. "One way or another, we'll nail that bastard's ass to the wall. And we'll make sure he doesn't harass Megan or anyone else again."

"Thanks."

"No problem." He nodded toward Megan's door. "I'm done here, and I think you have somewhere else to be."

"Yes, I do," Parker said, then moved to Megan's door. He opened it, and she flew into his arms, relief and trust and love clinging to her like perfume. And he knew without a doubt that this woman was his, now and forever.

And damned if he didn't belong to her, too.

* * *

"I'm so sorry," Parker said, lifting her into his arms as he kicked the door closed, then carried her to the sofa.

"What on earth for?" she asked, curling into him. Wanting more than anything to get lost in the safety of his arms.

"For not being here sooner."

"Are you insane? That you came at all was a miracle. You swooped in like a superhero." She'd almost burst into tears when she'd seen him, she'd been so relieved. And now he was apologizing? "Actually, why did you come at all? I didn't think I was going to see you until later tonight?"