Page 87 of Cruel Hearts

“On the balcony.” Mel tips her head in the direction of the French doors across the room. “There’s some lobster macaroni and cheese left, if you want something. It’s fabulous. You have great taste in restaurants.”

“Thanks.” It’s crazy what money can buy.

And after living five years without Stella, I also know what it can’t.

Coffee suits me fine for now. Maybe, when I know Ash can’t hurt Stella ever again, my appetite will come back.

I approach the French doors and open one a crack, but I pause. Nathalie’s speaking to someone, and the only person unaccounted for is Stella.

Shit.

I pretend to change my mind and quietly close the door. Mel doesn’t pay any attention, and carrying my coffee cup, I go back into the bedroom I slept in. This room also has balcony access, and I gently nudge the door open. Their voices drift to me. We’re too high and the traffic noise can’t reach us, but the wind whispers past as it dances its way around the buildings.

I lean against the wall, hiding in the shadows of the room. I shouldn’t eavesdrop. I’m not going to like what they have to say about me. Even if it’s all true.

“It’s hot out here,” Nathalie says. There’s a rustling. She’s lying on a chaise lounge, and her clothing brushes against the cushion.

“The breeze feels nice,” Stella replies. It sounds like she sips a drink. Maybe coffee. She’d always been a caffeine fiend. It would be nice if some things about her haven’t changed. I know that’s selfish. Of course she’s changed. What I mean is, it would be nice if I could find something that wasn’t my fault.

I can’t see either of them, and I can only guess their movements. Stella tucked herself into the side of the building and out of sight.

“How’s your friend?” Nathalie asks.

It sounds like they’re sitting next to each other.

“Her wound is okay. She’s sore, tired. I feel guilty. That should have been me. If I hadn’t tripped...”

“Ash did that.”

“Yeah.”

“I saw you a couple of times, at Black Enterprises.”

More proof Stella didn’t lie.

It’s surreal to me that while I was using Nathalie to forget Stella, Nathalie knew Stella was in King’s Crossing, working for Ash, all along. I never mentioned Stella to Nathalie—I’d had no reason to—and after Stella left, I got rid of every trace of her in the penthouse. What would have happened if Nathalie would’ve told me Stella was in King’s Crossing?

Had my faith in Ash been so absolute I wouldn’t have believed her?

I can guess what would have happened. I would have foolishly told Ash Nathalie said she’d seen Stella, and Nathalie—and Stella—would have disappeared.

“Yeah. I remember. I’m sorry I couldn’t help you.”

They fall silent, and I sip my coffee. I think they’re done talking, but then Nathalie says, “I didn’t know it was you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’ve been seeing Zane for a long time—”

“I don’t want to hear it,” Stella snaps.

I close my eyes. This is bad.

“You don’t understand.” Nathalie doesn’t sound bothered by Stella’s sharp tone.

“I don’t need you to explain.”

“I think you do.”

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