Title: Unknown, Hooked #3
Author: Charity Parkerson
Release date: 7/28/2016
Blurb:
Malik loves hating Logan… or hates loving Logan. Hell, even he doesn’t know.
Three years ago, Malik met the man of his dreams. Everything stopped for him, so his world could revolve around Logan. Eight months ago, Logan walked away, leaving Malik with one burning question—why?
No man on the planet has ever stolen Logan’s heart the way Malik has. As much as Malik claims he loves Logan, Logan knows the truth. He’ll always come second to Malik’s boxing career, but that’s not why Logan left. He has his reasons, and he can’t share them with Malik. But a love this real and strong, it won’t be denied.
When Malik finally learns the truth, he’ll stop at nothing to win back the man he’s barely surviving without. But even Malik doesn’t know if there are enough words of love to overcome the hatred he’s spewed these past months. When his friend, Ryan, steps in, determined to help, Malik reluctantly accepts. But will Ryan become the glue holding them together, or will he tear them apart?
An up-and-coming fighter, with a marriage on the mend, and a friend who wants in the middle in the most delicious ways… it’s a future Unknown.
Excerpt:
This is an exclusive unedited excerpt. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2016 Charity Parkerson
“Have you ever been or are you currently in an abusive relationship?”
Malik snorted at the asinine question. “No.”
The male nurse, who couldn’t have been more than twenty-two, scratched something out on the notepad in his hands before focusing on Malik once more. “Are you being held against your will?”
Malik looked around, searching for hidden cameras. “Is this a joke? Are you fucking kidding me right now?”
The nurse’s gaze moved over Malik’s bruised and battered body. “I assure you these are standard questions, Mr. Harris.”
“Are they?” Malik asked, hearing the aggravation in his tone. “Because I have to say, no one’s ever asked me this bullshit before, and I spend a lot of time at the E.R. A lot.”
The guy’s bland expression never faltered. “I could get you the number to a place where they help people like you get out of bad situations.”
Shifting positions, Malik opened his mouth ready to blast his unwanted champion when the door to his room flew open. Logan strolled through, stealing the oxygen Malik needed to argue. It had been three months since he’d last set eyes on Logan’s gorgeous blue eyes. His perfect body and blond hair always turned heads everywhere he went. At one time, Logan’s presence alone was enough to fix every fucking thing in Malik’s world. Now, Malik knew the truth. Logan’s beauty masked an ugly heart.
“Jesus, just what I need. What are you doing here?”
Logan’s gaze moved over Malik. His expression gave nothing away. “I’m still listed as your emergency contact.”
“I’ll be sure to fix that. You’re free to go.”
Snagging a chair with his foot, Logan dragged it closer to Malik’s bed and sat. “Shut up, babe,” Logan said before focusing on the nurse. “What’s your name?”
The guy visibly swallowed. “James.”
Logan’s smile turned sexy in a way that never failed to get the man his way. “What’s the prognosis, James?”
James glanced between Logan and Malik. His nervousness fled and his shoulders squared as he focused on Malik. “I’ll go get that number for you.”
Malik bit back a groan as the man scurried from the room, leaving Malik alone with Logan. His eyes skirted Logan’s way without his permission. Logan’s hair was shaved on the sides and thick on top. It stood on end, making Malik want to run his fingers through it. That thought pissed him off.
“For real, why are you here?”
Instead of cowering, as any sane man would have, Logan’s face softened. “I told you—I’m still listed as your emergency contact. Are you okay? Sam said you were out cold for much longer than usual. You scared the shit out of me, baby. Don’t do that shit. You know my heart can’t take it.”
Crueler words had never been spoken than the ones leaving Logan’s lips—lips he’d loved to kiss, lingered over. Crossing his arms over his chest, Malik looked away. He needed to protect his heart. “It’s just a concussion. I’m sure it won’t be the last. See? No big deal. Feel free to leave.”
Bestselling and Award Winning Author,