Claudia waves her off, refusing to be placated. “I expect you to enhance her life, not drag her down. How do you plan on doing that?”
I guess we’re really getting into it now. “Support her through graduation, counseling from today if she wants, though I’ll insist because I think it’ll help.” Claudia raises a brow like she’s asking what else. “I have a house on the beach that she can make her own, or I’ll buy her a house somewhere else if she doesn’t like it.”
“Kids? Marriage?”
“I want both, but only when she’s ready.” That’s a lie. I want them immediately. Which might be seen as selfish on my part.
“You say the right things, but do you mean them?” I don’t get a chance to respond as the doctor enters with the police detectives from the scene.
“Glad to see you’re awake, Miss Jade. How are you feeling?” The doctor checks her vitals and asks her a few questions about the incident—what she remembers, whether she feels pain anywhere. Then the detectives cut in with their own inquiries, and the more they speak, the more I see Stella shutting down, which I don’t fucking like one bit.
“I think that’s enough.” Everyone takes a step back at my menacing growl. “She needs to rest.” I won’t fucking budge on this. I’ve seen enough trauma in my life to know the harder she’s questioned, the worse her mind will treat her.
“Sure, sure, we can stop for now. However, we’d like an official statement within the next twenty-four hours, while everything is fresh in her mind,” the older of the duo requests, less eager than his partner and with more respect.
“I’ll bring her in tomorrow. Right now, she just needs some rest and food.” It’s not a lie; Stella appears beyond exhausted and ready to be left alone.
They leave, and the doctor informs us that my girl will be staying overnight for observation and a psych consultation to determine what kind of help, if any, she’d like.
“Mom, do you need to go?”
Glancing between the two women, I understand what they’re talking about, but instead of being invasive, I give them a moment alone.
“I’m going to grab some coffee. You want anything?” Claudia accepts the coffee, and Stella requests an apple juice.
Leaving is damn hard, but I recognize they need to talk. They won’t have much privacy once I’ve got my girl under my roof, and I think she knows that already. Her mom seems to be on board as well and possibly happy, too. This makes me think about building a mother-in-law suite on my property.
I get the feeling the two are as thick as thieves, despite Claudia’s addiction. They’ve relied on each other for a long time, and I won’t be the one to wreck their relationship.
CHAPTER 7
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.
