She licked her lips and shook her head. “I don’t know. But something is.”
“Parker, dear,” her mother called out. “You know how I feel about public displays of affection in front of others.”
She kissed Ryan again. Then turned to look at her mom. “Why are we here?”
“Your father will explain everything shortly,” her mother said and picked up a glass of wine from the table. “Char, would you like a drink?”
“No, darling. I’m not a fan of before dinner drinks,” Liam’s mom, Char, said.
There was a moment of silent tension, but Ryan squeezed her hand and held her tight. “I’ve got you.”
The words were the sweetest whisper a man had ever done.
She noticed her mother didn’t bother introducing Ryan to anyone and it bothered her, so she took it upon herself to do it. “Mrs. Tredd, this is Ryan Wade. Ryan owns Tristar Security. Ryan, this is Mrs. Tredd, also known as Liam’s mother, and a wonderful woman who works solely on different charity boards.
Char smiled and offered a hand to Ryan. “It’s nice to finally meet you. I got a chance to meet your brother a few days ago when I caught up with Liam and them at his place.”
“Nice to meet you, ma’am,” Ryan said and shook her hand.
“And this is my mother, Veronique Nolan,” Parker said. “Mom, Ryan Wade.”
She’d intentionally left her mother’s introduction after Mrs. Tredd even though she was the host because she had a feeling nothing good was coming out of this.
“Good evening,” her father called from the top of the stairs.
Parker rolled her eyes. It was so like him to want to do a grand entrance. “Dad, what’s this about?”
“Manners, young lady,” he chastised. “I’ve invited everyone over for dinner because I wanted you all to get to know each other better.”
She clenched her jaw and waited while he calmly came down the stairs. He shook Liam’s hand and gave him a hug. Kissed Char’s hand and then turned to them. Her father eyed Ryan with interest and then offered his hand for a shake.
Ryan took it and then her father moved on to the dining room. “Please, join us.”
She had such a bad feeling about that whole thing she wasn’t sure what to do.
They sat for dinner and her mother called for the appetizer.
“Liam,” her father said, “have you met Mr. Wade?”
“I have,” Liam replied. “I did some community service work with Parker at his town.”
Her father gave a nod and ate his soup.
“You’re probably interested to know what tonight is about,” her father said, his gaze on Ryan. “It’s very simple. Our family has a large foundation that Parker was running until recently.”
“I’ve heard” was all Ryan said.
“For years,” her mother began, “we were sure Parker and Liam were going to get married and unite our families.”
Char frowned. Liam’s brows flew up.
“But it seems Parker has now gotten into a relationship with you,” her father said in an accusing tone. “So I am here to let her know that if she marries Liam, the foundation is hers.”
“Hang on just a minute here,” Char said, pushing her chair back. “Parker, I have nothing against you and think you are the sweetest girl in the world and I would be happy to have you as a daughter-in-law, if you were actually in love with my son and he with you,” Char said to Parker and turned to Parker’s father. “But they are not. Don’t you have eyes? Your daughter is here with a man she clearly has feelings for, and you’re telling her she can only get the foundation your father created for her if she does what you want?”
“This is insane,” Liam stood and grabbed his mom’s hand.
“This is not debatable,” her father said, staring Ryan down. “I don’t know you. I don’t want to know you. I don’t care to know you. I will not put my company and all my father worked for in the hands of a stranger.”
Ryan shoved his seat back and stood and Parker followed suit.
“With all due respect, sir,” Ryan growled. “Fuck you and your company.” He shook his head and stared at her father with a glare. “I don’t need or want your company. I have my own. And I will gladly spend every dollar I have making sure Parker is happy.” He turned to Parker. “Ready to go, love?”
Parker nodded and glowered at her parents. “How could you even suggest that I leave the man I love for the foundation. I might love what the foundation represents. It was Grandpa’s dream, and I wanted to carry it forward, but I love Ryan. I love him more than all the money in the world.” She swallowed at the tears of pain clogging her throat. “So you can keep your company and your foundation. I don’t need either.”
Ryan held her hand the entire way out and then put her in his car. She handed her keys to the family driver and asked him to have her vehicle delivered to her place. Liam and his mom were right behind them. Liam’s mom gave her a hug and cupped her face in her hands.
“Don’t let their cold hearts destroy your happiness,” she told Parker and left with Liam.
Parker was quiet the entire ride. It was almost ten minutes later when she glanced at Ryan and noticed how tense he was at the wheel.
“Are you okay? I’m really sorry about that.” She cleared her throat. “I never expected him to try to control things that way.”
He glanced at her and picked her hand up and brought it to his lips. “Are you okay? You’re the one who’s been hurt by their actions.”
She sighed and shrugged. “I have to stop hoping that they’ll suddenly care. I keep hoping that every time I see them, they’ll have grown feelings for me. But all they’ve ever wanted is to control me.”
He got off the highway, stopped the car on a dirt road and turned to face her. “I am so fucking sorry you’ve lived with those people for parents.” He caressed her hand and shook his head. “I still can’t understand how someone so beautiful came out of…that.”
She wiped the tears falling from her eyes and laughed. “You’re not the first one to say that.”
He went back to driving. “I’m taking you to a special dinner. Don’t worry, this time there won’t be any controlling who you marry.”
She snorted a giggle. “Thanks. That makes me feel so much better.”
They got to his place and Barrick and Jolene were already there. She hugged both of them and then noticed the beautiful table setting and the delicious smell of food coming from the kitchen.
“Who cooked?” she asked, narrowing her eyes at Barrick.
“Mom,” he said with a grin. “I don’t cook. I’ve tried. I’m better at eating.”
She giggled and nodded. “Same.”
Jolene hugged her hard and pulled her over to the table and handed her a glass of wine. “Come, darling. You’re the guest of honor.”
She raised her brows and took a sip. “Really?”
Jolene nodded. “It’s not every day my son finds his mate. The woman he’s going to marry.”
She choked on her wine and glanced at Ryan. “Um, what?”