Page 44 of Saving Stella

“It was some crazy person who saw the video, that’s all. I don’t need a bodyguard.”

“You’re still in danger,” Devon pointed out. “Stella, please, I’m going crazy worrying about you.”

“We just want you to be safe. And Cliff will make sure of that,” Charley assured her. “He’s the best in the business.”

Stella pursed her lips. “Fine. But I don’t want anything to change or anyone to know I’m being watched.”

“He’ll stay outta your way,” Charley said. “No one will know he’s around.”

“Good. Can I speak to you alone, Devon?”

“Sure.”

Cliff nodded at the screen. “I’ll be right outside.”

He strode out of the room, but left the door ajar. Just because he wasn’t in there, didn’t mean he couldn’t hear the conversation.

“… is it because of the video?” Stella asked. “I’m sorry I did it without telling you.”

“There’s no need to apologize,” Devon said. “I wish you’d said something so we could have prepared. My PR team could have helped. I mean, I know this was the best way to find her, but I couldn’t ask that of you. To risk your privacy and your job.”

“She’s our sister, Devon.”

“I know … and thank you for doing what you did. I’m still mad that you got hurt.”

She chuckled. “Not as mad as I am. Ouch! Sorry, I think I broke a rib when I jumped out of that trunk.”

“I can’t believe …” Devon blew out a breath. “Just stay out of trouble, okay? Do what Cliff says, he’ll know what to do to keep you safe.”

“All right, if it will make you feel better.”

“It will. Thank you. And don’t worry about the hospital and the doctors, I’ll take care of everything. Now, I have a two-day break from touring in a couple of days, maybe I can come out and see you ….”

Cliff tuned out of the conversation, then straightened his shoulders as he scanned the hallway for any threats or suspicious people.

Someone out there was trying to hurt her, and he was going to make damned sure they didn’t get a chance to try it again.

Chapter 8

Stella stayed in the hospital for another twenty-four hours before they released her. If the nurses and doctors had been shocked at her quick recovery, they didn’t show it. Devon had said he would “take care of everything,” and she wondered if he also managed to get them to stay quiet about her Lycan healing abilities.

She was still shocked herself at how fast her body knit itself back together. Aside from a few lingering bruises, she felt fit as a fiddle by the time she signed the discharge papers. She called her parents and told them she was okay and not to worry. They knew nothing about the kidnapping attempt—as far as they were concerned, Stella had been in an accident. While she hated lying to her parents, it was the story she, Devon and Charley had concocted in order to keep the authorities from asking too many questions. And if it stopped her parents from worrying too much, she was sure one little white lie was okay.

Now, she could go back home and get back to her normal life.

Well, almost.

There was the question of the tall, dark, and handsome broody man who was now her bodyguard.

Of all the people Charley and Devon could have sent to watch over her, why Cliff?

Surprise was too mild a word to describe how she’d felt when he barreled into her hospital room. She was shocked from the top of her head to the tips of her toes—and maybe, a small part of her was giddy too. He blustered in like an enraged avenging angel, wanting to know who hurt her and going berserk when he saw her bruises.

It was his job.

Disappointment surged through her—which was a good thing. It was obvious she was nothing more than a job to Cliff. She had to stop fantasizing about him and those sexy forearm muscles and his delicious coffee scent. Besides, how could someone like him even be attracted to her?

Mousy, timid Stella.

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