7. Stella
Stella
“I ’m okay, Mom.” It’s rough pushing the words out in a voice as close to normal when all I want to do is sob. “I wasn’t hurt,” I choke out. Though knowing my friends were is torturous.
“I know, sweetheart.” Her eyes shine bright with sympathy as she holds my face between her hands, searching for any hint of deception. “I like your man.” She winks, I blush, and of course, he walks back into the room.
“Coffee.” He hands the cup to Mom. “And apple juice.” Unscrewing the top, he gives it to me, studying me so closely I grow nervous.
“Thank you. I’m Claudia, and you are…” Mom offers a hand and a raised brow. Her protective instincts have kicked in, it would seem.
“Vito Ruelle.” He takes her hand and replies, “And I’m very much interested in being your daughter's man.”
“Hmmm.” Her eyes squint as she pulls away. “Even knowing she’s a bit of a klutz?”
He snorts out a sharp laugh, and I shrink down in the bed to hide under the covers. Muttering under my breath, this was not how I saw today going .
“Yes, ma’am. I find it adorable.” He’s amused, she’s hiding her laughter, and I’m looking for a gaping hole to swallow me up.
“Good, because she needs a keeper.”
“Mother!” I hiss. She earns a glare as I peek out from under the sheet.
The bed dips on the other side, and Vito’s heavy hand splays across my belly, massaging his fingers into the excess I always try to hide.
Drawing back the sheet, Vito waits until my eyes meet his before speaking. “It would be a pleasurable job.” The heat in those melting pools of chocolate is enough to make my lady bits beg for his touch.
Stars likely twinkle in my eyes as I stare up at this man, because where did he even come from? Vito… What a name. He certainly seems to rule my body, too. Mom is ensnared by his forceful presence as well.
“Hello, everyone. We’ve got a room upstairs for Miss Jade now, if you’ll all just follow us.” The nurse's cheerful tone interrupts and allows me to breathe again. She assists me into a wheelchair, pushing me as Vito grabs my bag of belongings, which I suspect are now garbage.
I don’t see anyone from Blue Heights in any of the other rooms as we make our way upstairs, and that worries me.
Hopefully, I wasn’t the only survivor…that would kill me.
Already, the grief of losing Taylor and Leslie weighs down my heart.
They were so young, so full of life. I can’t believe they’re no longer in this world.
Turning my sight to Vito, he watches me like a hawk. The strain in his eyes shows that he’s reading me like an open book. “Are they all dead?” I whisper when we’re in the elevator.
“No.” He crouches down, ignoring the ding and doors opening as he continues, “Chet and Martha are in surgery. Tanner was going for X-rays to determine if surgery was needed.” He doesn’t mention anyone else, so I take that as answer enough.
“Thank you.” My eyes close when he gently presses his lips to my forehead before pulling away, and we move to where my room will be for the night.
Once I’m settled, I can tell that my mother is struggling. “Mom, are you okay?”
Her wide eyes fly up to meet mine. “It’s tough.” She sits in a chair next to my bed.
Vito steps beside her, then whispers something, for her ears only, that makes her nod, and he helps her to her feet before escorting her out and leaving me alone. “I’ll be back,” he promises on his way out, and I believe him.
Slinking deeper into bed, I pull the covers up high around my neck and snuggle into the pillow as my eyes drop shut with exhaustion. This is by far the most emotionally charged day I’ve ever experienced.
A sound startles me awake, my eyes shoot open, and I search the room. Nobody is here. The door remains closed, but my bag of belongings has been moved and is now lying open on the chair in the corner.
Weirded out, I sit up and slowly survey the room. There’s nowhere for someone to hide, unless they’re under the bed, which freaks me out, but I can’t concentrate on that. However, someone was definitely in here.
“Hey, you okay?”
I jump as Vito enters, the door too quiet for my liking. The snick of it closing must be what woke me up.
“I just…it’s stupid.” God, I feel lame and like a fool.
“Tell me.” He seems on high alert now, ready for an attack at any angle.
“Someone was in here.” Blurting it out feels easier than trying to explain.
He goes on the hunt now. Looking under the bed, in the small locker for personal belongings that no one but a child could fit in. He tenses when he spots the bag, and I start to feel better, while still being creeped out.
Bringing it over to the bed, he dumps it upside down for me to look through. “Can you throw the uniform out, please?” I ask, the mere thought of touching it churning my stomach.
Once they’re tossed, all that’s left is my purse, which is not zipped like I ordinarily leave it. My wallet’s clasp is no longer closed, and as I open it, I immediately notice that my ID is gone. “Oh god.”
Vito is quick to pick up on it, too, and cups my face in his hands, waiting for me to meet his eyes.
“Not a damn thing is going to happen to you. Do you hear me, sugar? Nothing.” He pulls me into his chest, holding me until I calm down and can breathe without feeling like my throat’s about to close.
“I’m going to text the detective, let him know what’s happened.
I’m sure they’ll be here tonight, and they’re going to have more questions.
” I nod at him but barely register his words.
“Stella.” He blows out what appears like a frustrated breath, then speaks more slowly, “Your mom and I spoke. She’s agreed to go to a private rehab facility in Tallahassee.
They have space for her and an excellent recovery rate. ”
“H-how did you know?” It’s not like she’s ever been around him until today.
“I’ve seen addiction and withdrawal enough to know the signs.”
“Okay… When, uh, when does she leave?” Pausing, I take a second to truly process, and more questions form. “Wait, I can’t afford that, and I don’t think she can either.”
“It’s on me.” His straightforwardness stuns me speechless. “You think I’m just the customer you spilled food on, but sugar, I don’t go to that diner for the food. It’s you. It’s always been for you.”
“Me?” I must look addled because his smile softens his face.
“Yeah, Stel, you. I’ve been addicted since that first day you served me. Just been waiting for you to give me the time of day again. Today, I had planned to make sure you did.”
“Today,” I repeat. A day from absolute hell.
“Yeah,” he murmurs into my hair.
“I can’t go home, can I?” Resting my head on his chest, a sense of peace washes over me at how protectively he holds me.
“You’ll be coming home with me.” He says it so matter-of-factly that I almost forget to argue.
“I can’t do that.” Pushing up, my gaze narrows on him.
He gives me that signature smile of his, like he’s dealing with a scared kitten, and says, “You can, and you are. There’s no arguing with me right now, sugar.” The intensity in his stare steals my breath. And when the words, “Daddy needs this,” escape his lips, I fold like a cheap table.
How does that one word control my entire being? I had no idea he was like that or that I would enjoy it so much. Despite his only saying it twice, I find myself ready to do as he pleases.
“Yes, Daddy.”
My eyes close, and I rest on his rugged body, allowing him to make me feel as safe as can be until the detectives arrive. That’s when I realize just how submissive I am to this man because I look to him for guidance when I feel myself ready to fall apart after every difficult question.