Chapter 1
Chapter One
Stella
Present Day . . .
Glancing around me, I smile to myself at the sight of my brother and Isabelle.
The two of them are perfect for each other.
My heart flutters with pure happiness that finally, my brother has someone in his life that’s not a disappointment.
For the first time, he can be happy and not worry about a thing. Isabelle’s perfect for him.
Years ago, I screwed up by rebelling against him when I should have just listened.
After we lost our parents, I didn’t know how to act.
Mom was a soulful spirit who showed anyone and everyone compassion, while Dad was protective like Asher.
But the difference between the two was I was daddy’s little girl and I hated losing him.
It’s one of the reasons I rebelled against my brother and him raising me.
I can’t blame what happened on anyone or anything.
The whole thing was my fault. If I’d listened to Asher, none of it would have happened.
I wouldn’t have been attacked, and he wouldn’t have had to save me.
Stupid is all I was, and because of my actions, I lost my brother.
Hellhound ended up sending me away, and I suppose that was what we both needed.
Living in Ireland with my aunt and uncle on my dad’s side of the family, I finished school, went to college, got my medical degree, and now, I’m back in his life.
For a while, after I first moved back, he didn’t have anything to do with me, but lately, we’ve been working at it.
Especially after he was shot protecting Isabelle.
Having him back, I don’t want him to see me as a disappointment.
But I want also to be able to find my own happiness, but I don’t think ‘finding my happiness’ is in the cards for me. Especially now.
But it’ll be okay. I’ll manage as I’ve learned how. What’s going on in my life will stay that way. No one needs to know. Not about the random threats I’ve been receiving. Nor do they need to know about the baby I’m carrying.
Sighing, I rest my hand on my stomach nonchalantly as I scan the party and roll my eyes when I spot Juniper all but latching onto Angel like a leech.
She’s determined to hook up with one of the members and it seems now she’s got her eyes locked on Angel.
I’ve heard all of her friends tell her to cool it, though she never listens.
My heart lurches at the sight of him and the woman hanging on him. I could’ve had him. It could easily have been me holding onto him, but my fears of not being enough hold me back.
Angel—his road name’s Death Angel, but everyone just calls him Angel because it’s easier.
I swallow nervously anytime his gaze comes to mine, like now.
Only he’s got this annoyed look in his eyes.
One that tells me he’s none too happy about seeing me.
I get why and don’t blame him. The last time I saw him alone he made it known I could have him . . . when he confronted me.
I wish my life were simple and I could go to him, but I can’t. Well . . . I won’t. He’s not mine and never will be. I’m not the woman he needs, and it scares me even more. What if he finds out the secret I’m holding onto about the child I carry?
Dropping my gaze from his, I spin on my heel and make my way out of there.
It’s time to go home. I’m not needed to be around.
In fact, I’m going to go back to being invisible as I’d been before.
Or maybe I should just go back to Ireland.
At least there, I won’t have to face the pain that fills me anytime I see him.
And he’ll never find out the truth or my secret I now hold to myself.
My phone has rang three times since leaving the party at the clubhouse, the first two from my brother and the last being Isabelle. Why I thought Angel might call is just wishful thinking.
I pull into my driveway, putting the car in park. I glance at the screen and sigh at the name. I swipe my finger across the glass and answer. “Hey, Aunt Hattie.”
“How I miss you, my sweet Stella,” she says in greeting. “When are you going to come see me and your uncle?”
This is the one question she asks me every time we talk over the phone.
“I’m not sure, Aunt Hattie. I have to look at my schedule.” I do my best to hide my emotions from her. For a woman who’s thousands of miles away, she’s intuitive to those she thinks of as her children. “Things are pretty hectic.”
“What’s wrong, Stella?” she asks.
I wince, knowing I shouldn’t have said things were hectic. She’d want to know and automatically think something’s wrong.
Pinching the bridge of my nose, I tell her everything, not leaving the most minuscule detail out.
Well, I don’t tell her about the threats I’ve been receiving.
They’ll only worry her, and she’ll, of course, take knowledge of them to my uncle, who will, in turn, tell my cousin, Connor.
If it gets to him, then it’ll surely get to Asher.
I’m taking a chance on simply telling her about the pregnancy.
By the time I finish, I’m sobbing and apologizing.
“Stella, my sweet, sweet Stella, please don’t cry. I wish I were there to help you. Why don’t you come home? Spend some time with family. Let me help,” Aunt Hattie suggests. “You shouldn’t be alone.”
“I’m not alone, Aunt Hattie,” I murmur, my breath hitching as I try to calm down.
“Have you told your brother? The father?”
“No,” I whisper, shaking my head in denial. “I wanted time to let it sink in first.”
“Then come home and take that time. We can go to your favorite places. We’ll talk and come up with a plan.”
“Okay.” I give into her urging I come home. “I’ll come for a visit, but Aunt Hattie, this is my home. I finally have somewhat of a relationship with Asher again, and I don’t want to not be here. He and Isabelle are expecting as well, and I wouldn’t want to miss it.”
Aunt Hattie stays silent for a long moment before speaking again. “Very well, Stella. Come home and visit. Stay a couple weeks. You’ll be better and not hurting when you return back to the States.”
I close my eyes and lean back against the driver’s seat. For so long my aunt has been trying to get me to come for a visit, and now I’m giving her what she wishes. But I’m doing it as a way of escaping my life here. At least for a little while as I figure out what my next move will be.
I know this is home, and there’s no way I could not come back. It’s just a matter now of clearing the time, letting my brother know, and getting on a plane.
After finishing the conversation with Aunt Hattie, I hang up, turn off my car, and get out.
I’m exhausted and still need to eat something.
I dared not eat at the clubhouse out of fear it making me sick.
The smells alone are hard enough to deal with.
The last thing I need is for anyone to find out before I’m ready for my secret to be out.