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Stella
Iwakewithapounding headache and annoying beeping that won’t seem to end.
Stirring, I slowly open my eyes, but they sting. It takes a second before I can fully open them and once I do, it’s like I’m being blinded.
“Hey, be careful,” a rough voice says.
My heart rate increases and I’m instantly alert and awake. Through the pain I feel, I turn and spot Micah standing beside me, but everything else is wrong.
White walls and machines surround me and when I look down, I realize I’m not in his bed, but in a hospital bed.
“Where am I?” I ask, but my voice is hoarse and my throat stings like I’ve swallowed a million tiny razors.
Taking my hand, Micah smiles at me and I see tears—real tears—pouring down his face. My stomach drops at the sight, and I suddenly grow worried.
“Where is everyone?” I ask, my voice breaking.
“We are right here, Stella,” Gabby says from across the room.
Before me now stands, Gabby, Talon, Ason, Scarlette, Ally, and Micah’s parents. Now I’m really freaking out.
“Stella, what do you remember about last night?” Micah asks, concern ringing in his tone.
I stare blankly at him and as I take him in, I begin to notice the bruises on his knuckles, the tear in his white t-shirt, and the cut on his upper lip. He’s a complete wreck, but he’s still sexy as hell.
My brain goes to think, but my head pounds again. Flashes of red and yellow flames cross my vision and then a sharp pain pierces my head. More tears spill out of my eyes, and I hate how scared I feel right now.
Micah sits beside me on the bed, pulling me in close to him. The movement hurts, but I don’t care. I need his protection and the nearness of him right now.
“There was a fire at your trailer. You were inside and Micah saved you. But, the doctors said that you had been attacked. A few neighbors said they saw Lucas enter your trailer right after you did,” Talon tells me.
Guilt consumes me as I remember going to get my stuff, but not feeling the need to call Micah. I should have known better. Lucas had been such an asshole about wanting more money, but I never thought he would do something like this. He tried to kill me!
“I’m so sorry,” I sob into Micah’s chest. “Please forgive me. I just wanted to get my things and then never have to see that place again.”
“I saw Micah driving near your house and I told him that you were inside,” Ally explains.
Everyone who I love is inside this room right now because of me. I’m filled with both happiness and immense regret for the poor decision I made. I’m relieved they are here, but this could have easily been a very different situation. As much as I hate to admit it, I need family. I need the love and protection of those around me. I need a team; a support like the Antoni Mafia. Sure, I’m independent and can take care of myself, but I have learned over the last few weeks that I don’t have to. I can rely on those who care for me and I should.
A doctor walks in and everyone turns to stare. He nods and chuckles, his gray hair shining under the light. “It’s nice to see you awake, Stella,” he says. “I’m Doctor Ramirez, one of the Antoni Family personal doctors. I usually work out of my...office... but Micah insisted that I come to the hospital and personally see to it that you are taken care of. While you are very lucky to be alive, you did experience a nasty blow to the head which resulted in a minor concussion. Your lungs were full of smoke and you were severely dehydrated. We would like to keep you here another night for monitoring, and then I think you will be ok to go home,” he explains, his warm eyes making me feel comforted.
“I didn’t think any of this would happen. What about Lucas?” I ask, my lips trembling.
Just thinking about him causes severe anxiety to spike inside of me.
Doctor Ramirez’s eyes flash to Micah and his dad. I notice how Micah’s jaw ticks and Ason, Talon, and Gabby give one another knowing looks—like they are have some private conversation only they can understand.
“Baby girl, you never have to worry about Lucas again,” Micah whispers into my ear.
My eyes shoot up to his and I see that he is pleading with me not to ask more questions. Unease creeps over me because I know what that means. Lucas is gone. Forever.
Micah’s parents smile warmly at me and then after a few minutes, they leave the room and I see them talking to security officers outside of my room. Doctor Ramirez gives me more information and a nurse comes in to check my vitals and bring me some water.
After a while, everyone leaves but Micah. Once it’s finally the two of us, I snuggle deeper into his side. “Micah, am I able to ask you about Lucas?”
I don’t bother looking at him. I can feel his body grow tense at the mention of Lucas.
He closes his eyes and then slowly reopens them. Kissing the top of my head, he waits a few minutes before finally responding. “Stella, when I found you, I thought you were dead. I have never felt that scared and helpless before. I couldn’t do anything once I got you outside. It was like my body just stopped working. When I finally came to, I rushed straight to the hospital after calling my dad and asking him to help by calling Doctor Ramirez. Once I knew you were going to be ok, a new type of fear took over me. I had to stop Lucas from ever hurting you again. I’m not proud of what I did, but I would do it again in a heartbeat if I knew it would mean you were safe,” he says.
