Page 111 of Unexpected Heroine

No matter what I end up saying to her, she’ll be able to handle it. In turn, she can handle me without breaking either of us in the process.

As much as I’d love to say that a confrontation with my boyfriend wouldn’t leave us shattered, I can’t. We’re both barely hanging on. Passing our rapidly depleting cup of strength back and forth, spilling the contents a little bit with each hand-off. One more time and the cup could end up empty.

The same can’t be said about Stella.

Not only is she a badass, she isn’t nearly as traumatized as Tomer has been this week. She didn’t see me semi-catatonic. Didn’t carry me out of hell, half naked and barely able to stand. Hasn’t had to rub salve on my burns or wonder cream on my welts. She didn’t have to arrange for me to have an in-home STI screening because I’m too scared to go to the hospital. She hasn’t had to be my constant shadow, day and night.

Stella is strong enough for whatever this discussion will entail. And I need a single moment to feel strong too. To not cower.

And to be the old Lettie.

I lower my chin, looking at her from under my brow. “Stella, out with it.”

She hems and haws for a couple of seconds, nibbling her lip and avoiding my gaze. “Nothin’s wrong.”

I catch Marley’s attention. “Would you mind giving us a moment, please?” I look over my shoulder at Kri and nod, indicating the same.

Kri tips her head toward the door while glancing at her coworker. “We’ll be right outside.”

Freya stiffens. “Should I step out too?”

“Nope. You should stay.”

She’s probably biting her tongue the same way Stella has been.

Slack-jawed, Stella watches the guards stride from the room. “Lettie, I done told ya, there ain’t nothin’ to talk about.”

Liar.

The sudden re-emergence of her Southern twang is proof of her heated emotions.

I let another huge wave of oxygen fill my lungs to fortify my confidence. “Just giving us a little privacy so that you can say whatever it is you’re holding back about my boyfriend.”

“Seriously, Lettie. It ain’t a big deal. Squash it.” She looks past me at Freya, nodding and widening her eyes as if encouraging her to join in.

Right away, my dear roomie piles on. “Lettie, let’s just enjoy the evening. We’re here to cheer you up. If you’re bored with cards, we could play something else. Got any dice? Dominoes?”

I tap her lower thigh. “I appreciate that, Freya.” Turning to Stella, I flash my most brilliant smile, bat my lashes, and inject cheeriness into my tone. “You’ve been holding your tongue all night. And I’d rather you not chip a filling from all that unsavory teeth grinding.”

Stella glances toward the front door where Marley and Kri have exited, then shoots her eyes toward the ceiling, holding them there for the count of five.

Here we go.

Once she realizes I’m not backing down, she lets her unaffected mask fade. “I don’t want to alarm anyone, but there’s a giant fucking purple elephant in the room, and apparently, our plan is to ignore it. For the record, that approach is fine by me.” She puts her palms out in front of her. “I do not need to have this discussion now. I’m here for you, Lettie. I’m a million percent fine with sweepin’ it under the rug for a day, a week, a year, or forever.”

I lean forward. “But?”

Holding my eyes, she grumbles, “You stubborn fool. I’m telling you to let this one go.”

My gaze doesn’t falter. Not even a blink.

Reeking of frustration, she flails both hands to the sides. “Fine. You want to know what I’m thinking, then here it is. What the fuck? Seriously, what in the actual fried fuck? A week ago, you were pitchin’ a duck fit because he wouldn’t talk about his job or friends. You didn’t even know where he worked. Correct?” She doesn’t wait for my response, just rushes on. “And now, he’s cosplaying as The Punisher. We’ve got four freaking armed bodyguards here while he’s running around hell’s half acre with his hot friend like Batman and Robin, doing what? Hunting human traffickers? How does he go from IT geek to Liam Neeson overnight? For that matter, how the hell did he rescue you from that place? Am I the only one who thinks this makes less sense than a tattoo parlor at a convent?”

Tucking my lips inside my mouth, I shift my gaze to Freya. She nods at me, then lowers her eyes to her lap, basically telegraphing: Yeah, what she said.

Now that Stella’s gotten all that off her chest, she softly adds, “And again, you do not need to respond to my ramblings. Not now or ever. I only word vomited all that ‘cause you weren’t gonna drop it until I did. Now you know what I was thinkin’. Hope you’re happy.” She dips her chin like it’s punctuation. “I’m your best friend no matter what. I’m here for you. I’m not leaving, and I’ll support you with every beat of my black heart. End of story.”

I unclasp my hands and place one on Freya’s thigh and the other on Stella’s, my gaze ping-ponging between them. “I hear you, Stella. Nothing you said is incorrect. Yes, it’s bizarre. No, this ain’t normal. Yes, I have plenty of questions yet to be addressed with him.”

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