Broken

Chapter 29

"You need to leave, Parker." Claire said as she squeezed my hand.

Parker pushed off of the door so he was standing up straight, "Not yet. I want to talk to you."

Stepping in front of Claire, I felt my jaw clench. "She told you to leave." I said. Parker looked over my face as he stood there silent for a moment.

"I'm hoping to come to an agreement." He said.

"Then that's something to have the lawyers present for." I said as I felt Claire's hand on my arm.

"It's late Parker, why now?" Claire asked.

"I want you to hear me out. I don't want to keep waiting. I have been waiting for a decade!" Parker said through clenched teeth.

"What are you talking about?" Claire asked.

"Let me in and we will talk." he said again.

Claire looked at me like she knew I wasn't going to be happy. "You have ten minutes." She said as she stepped around me to the door, and unlocked it.

She stepped through the door and held it open for Parker as he walked in. I hesitated in the hall as my eyes met Claire's. She gave me a look saying she was sorry, but I really don't think she knows how bad of a decision this is.

I slowly stepped through the door and Claire avoided looking at me as she carefully closed it behind me. She walked over to the kitchen and grabbed a bottle of water from the counter and took a sip.

"Still picky about your waters, hu?" Parker said as he sat on a bar stool.

"Particular." I corrected as I moved to stand next to Claire.

Parker gave me a confused look as he looked back over at Claire. His eyes roamed her body as he took in her dress. I stepped in front of her again to block his view as I took off my jacket.

"Put this on." I said quietly, turning to face Claire.

Parker let out a dry laugh, "No need to cover her. I know what's under that dress." My body went stiff as my jaw clenched again. I looked into Claire's eyes and she looked so sorry as she put on my suit jacket and wrapped it around her. "Why don't you go home, Stephen. This is just between Claire and me." Parker said from behind me.

"He is home." Claire said softly as she put her hand on my chest and stepped to the side of me. "You are running out of time, Parker. What do you want?"

"I want partial ownership of Fox Industries." he said boldly.

"I picked up on that when you sent a mole into my company." Claire said.

"I deserve part of it. It was, after all, supposed to be ours." He said motioning between himself and Claire.

"You've got to be fucking kidding me..." I said as I rubbed my head.

"It was never meant to be 'ours', Parker. I had the option of making it mine, and after you left me, I decided that I wanted it. You are not entitled to any part of it, and like hell would I ever let you in after all this shit you just pulled. And don't forget that there are corporate espionage charges that can still easily be filed." Claire said.

"Come on, Claire. We have lost so much. Don't leave me out on this." Parker said, intentionally toying with Claire's emotions.

I lost it. I was over the counter in a matter of a second, and Parker was on his back with blood covering his face as I continuously punched him. I could hear Claire calling my name but I didn't stop until I felt her hand on my arm trying to stop me. I sat back, moving off of Parker, and Clarie sank to the floor next to me.

"Get the fuck out of here!" I yelled at him as I pointed to the door. He blinked a few times before stumbling to his feet.

"I'll be pressing charges against your pit bull." he said as he spat a mouth full of blood onto the floor.

"For what?" I said standing. "Because I have you for harassment!"

"For beating the shit out of me!" he said, wiping his mouth.

"As Ms.Fox's bodyguard I saw you as a threat and handled you. Now get the fuck out!" I said shoving him back.

"This isn't over Claire!" He said.

Grabbing the front of his shirt, I opened the door and threw him out before shutting and locking it. I stayed facing the door as I desperately tried to calm. I heard the ding of the elevator, from the other side of the door, and slowly rested my head on the door.

"Stephen..." Claire said softly after a minute.

I didn't answer her as I continued to take deep breaths at the door. I heard her heels on the floor as she walked over to me, and gently put a hand on my back. I turned into her and wrapped my arms around her.

"I'm sorry..." she said with a broken voice.

I picked her up and she wrapped her legs around me as I carried her to the bedroom. I flipped on the lights as I walked through to the bathroom, and set her on the counter. Cupping her face with both hands, I realized how busted my knuckles were.

"Let me." She said as she tried to take my hand and look at it.

"No." I said simply. I pushed my jacket off of her shoulders and gently kissed up her neck. I closed my eyes as I brushed my nose against hers. "I love you so much, Claire." I whispered.

"I love you too." She said back.

I unbuckled the belt that was around her waist and slowly pushed down her dress. She started to unbutton my shirt as I kissed her.

"Shower with me." I said against her lips.

She nodded before sliding off the sink and letting her dress fall to the floor. She was still in her heels and her lace thong as she walked to the shower and started the water. I took off the rest of my clothes as I looked at her. Her body was absolutely perfect. She had the sexiest curves that led to her long legs that looked amazing in heels.

Stepping up behind her, I hooked my fingers into the straps of her thong, and pushed it down. She stepped out of her shoes as she turned to face me. Opening the shower door, I took her hand and pulled her in behind me.

"Stephen..." she whispered again, but I just kissed her as I pressed her against the tile wall.

She wrapped her arms around my neck, and I let my right hand drop to her thigh. Lifting her leg, I hooked it over my arm, and slowly pushed inside her. There was no reason to rush. I wanted her to feel me. I was slow as I continued to kiss her and love her. We stayed in the shower until the water was cold and then made our way to bed. We were both still quiet as Claire laid on my chest and traced my tattoos. My breathing had finally slowed and the stinging in my hand had started to subside.

"You know I'm not going anywhere, right?" I asked her.

She looked up at me as she gave me a small smile, "I really hope not." she said softly.

"I promise." I said as I wrapped my arms around her and held her all night long.