Page 83 of Cruel Hearts

“Max updated me on what’s happening,” Mel says, lifting her head and focusing her attention onto me and Stella. “Stella’s death is brilliant. Keeping Black off her tail will be worth the trouble. I called in my partner, and he’ll be on the last flight out of LA tonight. I don’t trust anyone to shoot her but him.”

I frown. I don’t like the blasé way people refer to how we’ve chosen to keep Stella safe.

“Was I wrong?” Mel asks, misinterpreting my scowl.

“No. It’s fine.”

“I looked into the ER staff, and I found a nurse who lied on her application. She’s done time for prescription theft. If someone were to find out and report her, she’d lose her job.”

I sigh.

“What?” Mel lifts her hands, palms up. “Might as well play by the Blacks’ rules—when it suits us. She’ll pick up an extra shift tomorrow night. All we need to do is push Stella through the ER and wheel her out the back. Everyone thinks she’s been out of the country. She has no emergency contacts or next of kin—it’s not a secret she grew up in foster care. The morgue will hold her body as part of an ongoing investigation, and that’s that. She hides here for a day or two while the news dies down, and we’re up and running.”

Stella’s standing behind the loveseat listening to Mel and rubbing Zarah’s shoulder. She doesn’t seem bothered, maybe even a little relieved, that she won’t have to worry about Ash anymore.

Denton curiously watches Stella’s reaction, and I need all my willpower to keep from bashing his face in. I owe him a lot, buthis interest in Stella will always rub me the wrong way, even if it’s innocent.

Max’s cell phone rings, and he answers it, his eyes never leaving Zarah’s face.

Jesus Christ.

“’Lo?” he asks. “Yeah. Stella.”

I tense. Max passes her his cell like she’s been receiving calls on it all day.

She pales, but she answers and wanders into an adjoining bedroom. She comes out a moment later and says, “Quinn’s ready to go. They said her infection responded well to the antibiotics and she’s okay to be discharged as long she rests. She wasn’t able to reach Luis, a guy she used to work with, and she needs a ride.” She bites her lip and turns to me. “You said she’ll be helping, didn’t you?”

“Who’s Quinn?” Mel asks.

“The woman who was shot in front of my building a couple of days ago. She’s Stella’s friend and foster sister.”

“Did they catch who did it?”

“No.”

Mel narrows her eyes and directs her attention back to her laptop. She’s in her element, and I’m grateful she’s on our side.

“I’ll go get her,” I say.

“I want to go, too,” Stella says, giving Max his phone.

I shake my head. “We’re trying to keep you safe, not wave you around like a red flag in front of an angry bull.”

“He’s right,” Denton says, swirling what’s left of the drink in his glass.

“I can go,” I say firmly. “I assume you told her you’re with me?”

Stella nods.

“Then everything should be fine.”

“You fucking son of a bitch!” Quinn shouts as I walk into her hospital room. She’s wearing a blood-soaked dress, and a sling steadies her arm.

Jesus. That could have been Stella.

Quinn growls, and gauging her reaction, I cautiously step back. She’s tiny, but so is Stella. A pissed off female has already done enough bodily damage. “Calm down. I’m here to help you.”

“Fuck off,” she says. “I can’t believe she sent you here.”

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