16. Stella
STELLA
Something is wrong, as there is a shit ton of activity all of a sudden.
The men have pulled Milly in and out of the room, leaving me alone for long periods of time.
When she is in the room her face says it all.
We are fucked, it’s written all over her face.
They won’t let her get close to me, even when she prepares food.
One of the assholes is now bringing it to me, though no one has put hands on me, which I’m glad about for sure.
I know I’m healing as I can pee without pain and am even able to move my bowels though painful.
Time does heal everything, I guess. Well along with constant pain medication.
When I hear one of the assholes screaming something like “Are you fucking kidding me, Felicity? You had to go and reach out to that bastard, didn’t you?
Couldn’t let it go? Don’t give me no lip, you uppity bitch.
Fine, we’ll do it, but I don’t like it. We had a plan and you are going way the fuck off of it. ”
The door flings open and the ugly one comes in dialing a number before shoving the phone in my face.
“Ya got a phone call, whore. Don’t try to fuck with me ’cause you know I can dish out the pain. Put that phone on speaker too.”
I do that just as I hear a voice I never thought I would again.
“Stella, Mi Amor, is that you? Talk to me so I know you’re okay.”
The jagoff grabs the phone, cackling in it.
“Well fuck, the high and mighty Incubus isn’t so high any longer, is he?
You don’t know me but I do know you, motherfucker, and just wanted to thank you ’cause damn, brother, your wife’s ass is so tight thought I’d lose myself with the first plunge.
Now I’m hearing you want to talk to your wife, so let me get my dick outta her mouth so she can speak to her husband. Hang on a minute, asshole.”
Before the phone reaches my hand, Cullen talks into it very calmly, which is a warning that he’s well past gone.
“Hey, motherfucker, don’t act like you’re calling the shots. We know a woman has you by the balls and is the boss, telling you idiots what to do. Just humor me and tell me how you know her, I mean Felicity, the one who made you her bitch.”
The phone drops on the floor as the guy loses all color in his face.
When he notices me watching him, he backhands me.
He goes to hit me again when from the doorway Milly tells him he has bigger problems right now, so he grabs the phone and shoves it in my face.
I place it back on speaker before talking.
“Cullen, I’m here. Not going to lie, I’m in pretty bad shape but managing to get through each day. I’ve had a bit of help here.”
“Stella, don’t lose hope. We’ll get you back home, I swear to Christ. It won’t be much longer.”
Asshole grabs the phone, hitting speaker to turn it off, then putting the phone to his mouth.
“You ain’t the hero, Incubus, never have been. Better accept what’s going to happen because that bitch Felicity is gonna do whatever she wants to, and she has the money to back herself up, not like some biker trash.”
“What is your name, asshole? You’ll give it to me before I put you to ground, but just to let ya know, my old man is dead.
And unbeknownst to Felicity, she is not the first, second, or tenth person in his will, so don’t go beating on a dead horse, no, more like a jackass, brother.
If she owes you money, I’d try getting it sooner rather than later, just sayin’.
Now is there any way we can work out a deal between us, cutting that crazy as fuck bitch out of the picture?
As much as I don’t want to even consider leaving you motherfuckers breathing, my concern is Stella. Name your price.”
I’m listening to the back-and-forth as best I can, when the other asshole comes in, phone to his ear.
When the jerk speaking to Cullen grabs the other phone, listens for a second, then starts making demands, I cross my fingers and hope against hope that my luck has changed.
I feel eyes on me. When I look up it’s Milly with a weird as fuck smile on her face.
What is going on? I’m only getting tidbits of conversations.
When the phone is thrown against the wall and asshole number one goes back to talking to Cullen, I know the shit is definitely hitting the fan.
“Incubus, one offer and that’s it. No haggling at all, and if you assholes at the Kings of Anarchy club don’t have it, Stella gets a bullet right between the eyes.
She’s been nothing but a total pain in the motherfucking ass to all of us, so I couldn’t care less if she’s breathing or not, to be honest. I want one million dollars and you have three hours to get it together.
That’s my price for your whore to be returned back to you, as is. ”
My shoulders drop, as does my head, because as far as I know Cullen doesn’t have that type of money, no way, no how.
Even with his inheritance and money from the club that would be pushing it.
I think through all of our years together, money has never been one of our conversations. Then my world tilts.
“All right, I have it. Now where do you want to meet for the exchange? And, motherfucker, it’s going to be an exchange of money for Stella. No goddamn games, ’cause just saying, you don’t want to fuckin’ piss me off any more than you have already, jagoff. Now where are we meeting?”
The total look of greed in his eyes tells me Felicity has lost her dog and will have to work by herself, which has never been her strongpoint.
Yeah, I know of her, Cullen spoke about everything that went down years ago and we both thought she was out of our lives for good.
Guess not. I’m hearing details being arranged but act like I’m drugged up or not interested.
Though the final comment from Cullen catches my ears.
“Oh, and just a reminder, fucker, if Stella tells me you even touched a single hair on her head since this phone call, I’ll not only skin you alive then feed it to you, but will also cut off each finger and shove it up your ass.
So think twice ’cause I’m not some weak-ass woman like Felicity, who can only control you with money.
Now, we meet in a couple of hours, make sure you handle Stella with care until then. Do I have your word on that?”
I hear the asshole say yeah and then the phone disconnects.
I’m beyond shocked at what has transpired, but cautious because when folks are pushed up against a wall they usually fight all constraints.
Hearing boots walking my way, I let them think I’m all scared by scooting away toward the farthest side of the bed.
Both of the dumb assholes are standing there, arms across their chests, glaring at me until the biggest one, Lefty, pushes between them.
I see him contemplating the thought of raping me again when Milly walks by, reminding them of what Cullen said.
Lefty turns, backhanding Milly, telling her to mind her own fucking business, then he turns and leaves, calling Tom and Jerry to follow.
Don’t know their names, those are the ones I’ve given the two idiots.
My eyes go to where Milly is standing, arms holding herself, looking my way.
Something about the way she’s watching me is freaking me out until she moves slowly toward me.
“You still don’t recognize me, do you, Stella?
Thought maybe you were playing with me, but nope, you just are in the dark, aren’t you?
Well, let me bring you to the light. I heard them talking about Felicity and how she’s the one behind the shitstorm you’ve fallen into.
Well, I get it, because that bitch is my sister, and she’s the one who had me kidnapped and kept here for years to be abused, raped, beaten, and whatever else these degenerates wanted to do to me.
She has everyone believing I just up and left, leaving everything behind.
She’s taken over my business, well, from what I’ve heard she ran it into the ground, took all of my money, and sold my properties before claiming that I’m probably dead.
So whatever you have planned, I want in on it.
I swore a long time ago, when her time came, I wanted to be there to see the last light leave Felicity’s demented eyes.
I didn’t tell you because, to be honest, I don’t know who to trust and not trust any more. ”
The more she talks the more I remember, from the few times Cullen and I had spoken about his past, he did mention Felicity had a sister who he actually liked.
But her name wasn’t Mildred it was Millicent.
So yeah, Milly does work for that also, though I’m curious as to why she lied to me, so I ask her.
“Just a precaution because my name is not common and didn’t want your memory to kick in, and have you think I am working with that bitch, because I am not.”
We talk quietly amongst ourselves, keeping our voices at a very low tone so the men can’t overhear us.
This is getting weirder and crazier as time goes by is my thought.
Milly helped me to the bathroom to clean up.
After a very quick shower and hair washing, I’m in a robe, hair covered in a towel, waiting on Milly to grab something she said she had for me.
When she returns my eyes fill with tears as I see my purse, makeup, and travel bag, along with a familiar suitcase.
How in the hell did she get all of this? Before I can ask, she tells me.
“Before you were taken, Felicity broke into your residence and stole all of this stuff. She bought duplicates of all of your personal items, like haircare and bath products. She told me one day when she was here, dropping off money, that since Cullen seemed to like those scents it might make the transition easier for him. Believe me, Stella, I know how bat-ass crazy she is, remember, I grew up with that bitch. Anyway, she left it all here and when they showed up with you, I figured there would come a time when I would be able to give it back to you, so I am doing that right now. I’ll give you some time, but I would wear something comfortable like maybe jeans or leggings with a top and hoodie.
On your feet, see if you can stand gym shoes because where they are meeting is in the middle of nowhere.
And a piece of advice, if you get out of their vehicle and hear any strange noises, run like hell, crouching down. ”
“Wait, Milly, are you staying here?”
“Stella, no one is going to pay a million dollars for my busted-up beat ass. Here I know the Devil, while anywhere else I don’t.
And there isn’t a man out there who would want to be with me.
I’ve been here for years and can’t tell you how many cocks have been in me as they say ‘one of my holes.’ I’m not even sure if I could ever go back to normal living, as for these past years I’ve lived on a battlefield, waiting for the next battle to begin. ”
Leaning forward, I pull her closer.
“Milly, how would you like to live either with us or close by? I know the Kings of Anarchy Indiana chapter has some cabins up and more being built on their property. And I’m sure the brothers could find you some work, they have many businesses they are involved in.
No, most of them are now legal or they are working toward it.
I don’t want to leave you here if we don’t have to because it will be getting much worse, I’m guessing. ”
She nods, looking back and forth, and I see it before it starts.
Her shoulders start to shake as she is rocking back and forth, wrapping her arms around herself.
I very carefully and slowly make my way to her, pulling her into my side.
When she turns, grabbing me and hanging on tightly, I tell her to let it go.
Very quietly Millie let’s all of her anguish out in tears.
I won’t leave her behind because without her I’d already be dead.