Chapter 17
Parker
It would be a lie if I said I wasn't relieved that Evelyn offered to go with me to the gala. I would always have love for my father, but he has this vision of how my life is supposed to be that I just don’t agree with.
I’ve tried to align myself with his dreams and his wishes before, and it tore me up inside.
I felt like a shell of a person, like things were happening in my life and I had zero choice in it.
My family wasn't always like this. Sure, we’ve always had money, but it was never about status.
My father had to work his way up to the top of my grandfather’s company. My grandfather didn’t believe in nepotism. He could have started my father up on the top floor, but he made sure his son saw every part of the business he created and knew exactly how it functioned. I admired him for it all.
But somewhere along the way, he got lost at the top.
As a kid, I never doubted that if I looked out into the stands, my father would be there cheering me on at one of my football games.
Even when he was busy with mergers and meetings, he would drop everything if I needed advice.
I did what he asked because my parents had made sure to instill the importance of family in us.
Family came first. But everything changed when I started high school.
Instead of prioritizing making it home for dinner or coming to one of my games, he worked tirelessly and always had a social event that he couldn’t miss.
Our family would attend countless events together.
At first, it was the five of us. My sisters never minded because they loved to dress up even as kids, but I was always sullen about going.
My father would parade me around the room, introducing me to his colleagues and associates.
Sometimes, if I was lucky, there would be a kid my age dragged into the same situation, but oftentimes not.
As I got older, my father started leaving my mother and the twins at home and just forcing me to go.
The older I became, the more I realized my father’s intentions. That's when the issues started.
10 years ago
“I’m not going,” I shouted as I left the kitchen and headed down the hall to my room.
My father’s footsteps followed me.
He was always calm and collected. Jonathan Woods never raised his voice, and I knew a lecture about my tone was about to land any moment.
“Parker James Woods, you remember whose house you’re in. I will not tolerate shouting. Not at me—and definitely not at your mother. Do make sure you apologize to her.” He said while crossing the threshold.
I sighed, knowing he was right. “I’m sorry, Dad.
But that doesn’t change anything, I’m not going to Howard anymore—I’m moving to New York.
You cannot force me to attend your Alma Mater or to go to these galas and conferences anymore.
That’s not my dream. It’s yours. I’m eighteen, and you have to let me make my own choices. ”
My father’s fist slamming on my bedroom desk has me jumping to my feet.
“This is our dream son. My father taught me the business, and I taught it to you. Your grandfather and his father before him built this from the ground up—brick by brick. People laughed and said he couldn’t do it, and he built one of the largest oil companies on the East Coast. You do not take that for granted and walk away from your family for a silly dream. ”
I didn’t know which action I was more stunned by: the slamming of his fist on my desk or the fact that he raised his voice.
Backing down isn’t an option. For years, I played this role, and I was done with it.
He’s never even asked me what I wanted to do with my life.
Since I started high school, he’s turned into a completely different person.
It feels like I’m the only one who has noticed, or maybe it’s because I’m the target of all his ire these days.
At some point, my father stopped getting to know me and showed no interest in my life; his sole focus has been to mold me into the man he wants me to be.
“What do you know about family? You’ve barely been here.
Aren’t you late for a flight?” I mutter under my breath.
“All you do is work and work. It’s always about Gentry and a client here or there.
The twins cry every time you leave, and Mom mopes around the house while you’re away. Why would I want that?”
He storms towards me with his fist clenched, not stopping until our noses are close to touching.
“You seem to have no problem benefiting from the luxuries that Gentry brings to this family. The work that I’m doing bought you that nice car in the garage and pays for the roof over your head, it pays for the girl’s ballet classes and the extravagant birthday parties you all enjoy so much.”
He just doesn’t fucking get it.
All the anger and emotions I’ve been feeling bubble to the surface.
“I’m asking one thing of you, the same thing that was asked of me. You have two choices, Parker. You can go to Howard, do your time there, and take your place at Gentry, or you can give up the cushy lifestyle you’ve become so accustomed to.”
My mother stood in the doorway with her mouth ajar like she wanted to protest. But she didn’t, she never did.
“You both always taught me that family was everything.” Shaking my head, I released a humorless laugh. “I guess all that was bullshit.”
From out of the corner of my eye, I saw my father’s fist. The punch never landed because my mother was holding his arm back. He gave me one last look before shrugging out her hold and storming out of my room.
That solidified my decision. I couldn’t stay here. He thought he could control me through my inheritance and make me into his protégé—I wouldn’t bend. I wanted to live life on my own terms.
A thought came to me. I powered up my laptop and began to type, “Requirements to become a firefighter in New York.”
I left home and never looked back, only seeing my mother and siblings when they visited New York.
I wasn’t happy with the way our relationship turned out, but I wasn’t willing to take his verbal abuse either to keep the peace.
The twins dealt with their familial issues in their own way, and I couldn’t judge them for it.
They never knew the other version of Jonathan Woods.
As the older brother, I felt guilty at times.
I left home when they were thirteen years old, and I’d always regret missing out on their milestones.
Although they never gave me grief over it, I knew at the time it had to have hurt them.
I did my best to try to show up for them now in my own way.
Our daily group chat messages made it feel like we weren’t states away from each other—they kept me updated on just about everything, even the things I didn’t want to know.
But I didn’t complain because I loved them, even if sometimes I thought they wanted to send me into an early grave.
Just as I was about to hit the lights and settle into bed, my phone rang. I looked down to see that it was Evelyn.
I was met with her sobs. I heard her panting in between her cries, just trying to catch a breath.
I jumped out of the bed, not caring that I was dressed in just my boxers as I hightailed it to her room. I didn’t think to knock as I barged in to find her curled up on the floor, fighting to breathe.
Right away, I could tell she’s having a panic attack. Her eyes widened in terror as she clawed at her chest in earnest with tears falling without abandon. My heart ached at the sight of her.
Rushing to meet her on the floor, I took her in my arms with her back against my bare chest.
“You’re safe. I want you to squeeze my arms real tight and just breathe with me. I’m here, and you’re safe.”
Evelyn squeezed my forearms as she began to take deep breaths. She counted down from 10 as she tried to regulate her breathing. I held her tightly until her body settled. It took her moments before she gathered herself to speak.
“Thank you. You always seem to be here when I break down,” she whispered.
I rested my head on top of hers and said, “Hey now, what did I say about thanking me?” I asked playfully.
She’s quiet as she continued to take slow breaths in and out.
Her warm body was pressed against my chest, and her arms were still wrapped around mine as if she were using me as an anchor.
My breath synced with hers, goosebumps pebbled her skin as the curls on the nape of her neck stirred on each exhale.
Evelyn turned out of my arms and faced me. “I have to tell you something.” Her voice broke the calming silence.
Instantly, I was wary of what she was about to confess.
She placed her phone in my hand. I scanned the article, leaving me with nothing but confusion.
“Who is this?” I asked.
Evelyn hugged her knees, resting her head on them. Her eyes were downcast as she searched for the words to answer my question.
“Rico is—was—Celeste’s ex-boyfriend. They were so in love with each other. Then one day out of the blue, he disappeared. No calls, no messages. His apartment was cleared out, and Celeste was distraught.” With a shudder, she continued. “Something Charles said that day came to my mind.”
I reached for her hands, enclosing them in mine, and encouraging her to continue.
“As he was playing with us, slicing us with his knife, he kept saying how ‘they’ couldn’t get to Celeste anymore and how he wouldn’t share her with ‘them.’ It never made sense until now. He killed them. Her boyfriends. He sent this to me. He wanted me to know.”
I looked at the email and found nothing pointing directly at Charles. It was just a link from The New York Times.
While holding her phone, another email notification comes through.
"Missing Woman in Staunton, Virginia."
This time, the email was from "," and there was a message, too.
"I'll see you soon.”
"Fuck." I read over the article before raising my head to look at Evelyn.
"What is it?" Her voice trembled as she took the phone from my hands.
The gasp that followed had me reaching for her again, but she shook me off before jumping to her feet.
"No, no, no," she said, pacing the room before charging into the walk-in closet.
Wordlessly, I follow her, not knowing what she plans to do next.
Evelyn grabbed a bag off the shelf and started putting things into it, before walking out and into the ensuite to do the same.
"Whoa." I pressed, standing in the way of her leaving the bathroom. "Take a breath, Ev. Let’s sit down and think about this. Talk to Danny first."
She stares at my outstretched arms barring the doorway. "Parker, I can't stay here. You read that message. He's on his way here. Please move."
"Leaving is a terrible idea, Evelyn." Irritation weaved its way into my voice.
She was too beautiful for words, but she was also damn stubborn.
"This isn't your choice to make, now let me through."
I stepped aside, making room for her to get by.
"You'll be alone out there. Vulnerable to an attack at any time. You're giving him what he wants." I stressed, standing in front of her. Hoping to see any glimpse of a hint that she might change her mind.
"I was alone before. I'll be fine."
"And how did that work out for you?" I snapped back.
A flash of anger crosses her face, and I immediately regret how I'm handling this situation.
Rubbing a hand down my face, I exhaled, searching for my composure.
"I'm sorry, I didn't mean for it to come out that way. What I'm trying to say is, you don't have to fight this alone. He's made it clear he's coming for you no matter where you go."
She places the bag on the floor, and sits on the ottoman at the foot of the bed.
"At least no one around me will get hurt.”
I take the seat beside her. “You’ll have an armed bodyguard with you at all times when you leave the estate.
The entire property is gated, and we have guards regularly checking the perimeter.
When you’re with me, I’ll be armed for both of our protection.
You’re safe here with me, and nothing is going to happen to you. ”
“Don’t make promises that you can’t keep,” she said as she picked at the skin of her thumbnail.
“Will you stay?” Trepidation filled me as I waited for her answer. “Please.”
Evelyn was quiet, and disappointment overwhelmed me. I couldn’t force her to stay here, as badly as I wanted to protect her.
We sat there quietly before Evelyn gave me a wordless nod.
I got to my feet and reached down to help her up.
Before I could take a step away, Evelyn wrapped me in a hug with her hands pressing me tightly into her with her head just under my heart.
I was thrown off guard, but I relaxed into the embrace, holding her closely in return.
Evelyn was the first one to pull away, and I was almost positive it was to hide a blush.
“Well, I guess I should try to get some sleep.”
That was my cue to leave. I took another look at her before heading toward the door. A strange feeling clung to me. Fear, perhaps, fear that she’d try to run anyway. I wasn't sure, but I held myself back from cautioning her again.
“Goodnight, Ev, I'm just down the hall if you need me. I’m a walk or a phone call away.” And with that said, I close the door behind me and walk back to my room.