Dirty Secrets {A Crash & Burn Novella}

Chapter 2

Stella

Max Spelling was nothing like Paul painted him to be. According to Paul, he was an asshole. Dickhead. Completely full of himself. A jerk. What I was seeing was nothing like he was thought to be.

Max was gentle. Charming. One of the good guys.

"I think maybe she has." Max murmured.

Was he talking about me?

Max cupped my cheek, softly rubbing the bruise Paul left. His jaw tightened and cursed under his breath. "He shouldn't be touching you at all."

"It's okay." I whispered.

"No, it's really not. I should have knocked him out. Maybe he..."

"Max, there was nothing you could have done to stop him."

Max shook his head in disbelief. "You're defending him!"

I shrunk back, my heart pounding so hard from the roughness of his voice. He softened his eyes and whispered. "Don't be afraid. I'll never hurt you, Angel."

"I wasn't defending him. I just... I'm so tired. Tired of everything."

Max held me closer and sighed. "Close your eyes, Angel. Rest."

I closed my eyes and for once, I felt safe. Like nothing could touch me. Hurt me. When I woke back up, I was tucked safely in my bed. I swallowed hard when Paul's dark gaze lingered on me as he stepped into the room. He folded his arms over his chest and leaned against the wall.

"Good, you're awake. We need to talk."

Those words sent a chill through me. When he said that, it was never good. Usually, that meant he would berate me and put his hands on me. He unfolded his arms and sat on the bed. I shied away only to have him grip my wrist. "Don't ever pull away from me, Stella. We don't want a repeat of last night, do we?"

I shook my head, not being able to talk.

"I don't want to ever see you near Max again. Do you hear me, girl?"

I lowered my head, but he took my chin between his thumb and two fingers. He squeezed hard and growled. "Did you fucking hear me?!"

"Yes." I whimpered, fear gripping me.

"We're having dinner at my parents tomorrow. I'm going to tell them the good news."

"News?"

What was he talking about?

"That we're getting married."

Paul released my wrist. He reached into his pocket and pulled out an engagement ring. He released my chin and held me by the hand to slide the ring on my finger. "Never take this off. If you do, there will be consequences. Understand?"

I nodded slowly and yanked my hand away. "I don't want to marry you."

"You will marry me and you will love and obey me at all times."

"Fuck you, I..."

The back of his hand struck the side of my face, causing me to scream. He covered my mouth and whispered. "You will be my wife and be a good girl. Love. Honor. Obey. Do all those things and you will be just fine."

I knew once Max knew that I was getting married to Paul all hell was going to break loose. He would be furious. Especially, after our moment last night. Paul left me and went to work. He works down at the church, helping my father. My father has no idea how Paul really is. To my father, Paul is a perfect gentleman. The perfect man to be my husband. In reality, Paul is the Devil.