Unknown (Hooked Book 3) (20 page)

Logan snorted while Malik choked on his beer, making Ryan wonder if her remark really had been a double entendre.

Still, Ryan didn’t let it go. “I was only speaking the truth.”

“
Awwww
,” Annabelle cooed. “Your parents must be so proud of you. You got all the manners.”

“I hope they were.”

“Oh, no,” Annabelle said, sounding genuinely upset. “Did you lose them already?”

Ryan nodded. “A couple of years ago, back when I was living in California and the Dodge plant was still there. That’s why I moved here,” Ryan said, getting sidetracked, and explaining how he’d ended up in Tennessee. “I’ve worked with them for close to ten years now, and when they moved here, I didn’t have anything left in California, so I moved with them. Anyhow,” Ryan said, trying to get back on topic, even though he hated talking about his life back then. “One night, my husband, Chad called me at work to let me know my parents’ subdivision was on the news. They were on the fringes of the wildfires and were being evacuated. I was out of personal hours, so he volunteered to go get them, and bring them to stay with us until they could get back into their house. There was some sort of natural gas explosion. All three of them were gone before I got home from work.”

The horror on Annabelle’s face matched the way Ryan felt repeating the story. Two hands found his, squeezing his fingers. The pain in his chest eased. An unexpected smile touched his lips as realization struck. This was Chad’s doing. Wherever he was, he’d somehow contrived this. Chad was twisted like that. He’d always sworn if Ryan wanted someone else, he’d better find two men, because no one man could replace him.

“I think they would’ve liked you,” Ryan said, trying to explain his sudden mood change. Plus, it was true. His parents had been amazing people, accepting of everyone.

“Sounds like you were brought into our lives for a reason,” Annabelle said, as if she’d been reading Ryan’s mind. “Now,” she said, focusing on Logan. “What else new do you have going on in your life?”

Logan beamed. “I’m loving my new job—more money and better hours.”

Malik chimed in. “Yep, it’s done wonders for his sleep schedule. Plus, he’s not stressing all the time over work issues. Now, I’m a different story. I still keep him on his toes.” Ryan listened to Malik, chatting with Logan’s parents, and he couldn’t help but smile. It was obvious Malik loved them. “Oh, and Ryan is moving in with us this weekend.” Ryan’s brain stuttered to a stop. If he reacted at all, he missed it. In fact, Ryan was fairly certain he blacked out for a moment, because when he came to, he was nodding, as if he’d been a part of this decision-making process.

Annabelle clapped—like this was the best news she’d heard all week. “That’s fantastic. Do you need any help moving? Karl still has that old truck parked out back. It doesn’t get much use other than helping people haul things when we’re needed.”

Ryan sat in silence, listening as his life took an unexpected turn. He searched his heart, looking for anger or fear—any of the things Sam accused him of being headed toward. There was nothing. He was happy. Meeting Logan’s parents was worst-case scenario as far as Ryan was concerned. They were behind their son no matter what, so really, what did the rest of the world matter? There were a million tiny details he could keep worrying over, but—in the end—Ryan couldn’t avoid the truth. This was love. Where else would it be headed? Everyone inevitably hopes they’ll end up in the most permanent of ways with the person they love. This was it for Ryan. He’d already been married once in his life, and he’d promised to stay that way until he died. Ryan had never intended to break that vow. Chad was it for him on that front. Now, this was everything he wanted.

Of course, that didn’t mean he intended to let their heavy handedness pass without comment. He’d find a way to get even for this… one day. For now, he’d bide him time. After all, he had the rest of his life. A trill of excitement ran through him at the thought.

The first moment he had his men alone, Ryan’s tongue twined with theirs. “I love you,” he chanted several times, because with them, the words couldn’t be said enough.

The End.

Keep an eye out for the next book in the Hooked series, Unstable.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR

Charity Parkerson is an award winning and multi-published author with several companies. Born with no filter from her brain to her mouth, she decided to take this odd quirk and insert it in her characters. 
*2015 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*Winner of 2, 2014 Readers' Favorite Awards
*2015 Passionate Plume Award Finalist 
*2013 Readers' Favorite Award Winner
*2013 Reviewers' Choice Award Winner
*2012 ARRA Finalist for Favorite Paranormal Romance
*Five-time winner of The Mistress of the Darkpath
Connect with her online:
--Website: charityparkerson.com
--Facebook: facebook.com/authorCharityParkerson
facebook.com/TheMenofSin
--Twitter: twitter.com/CharityParkerso