Dirty Secrets {A Crash & Burn Novella}

Chapter 8

Max

Five years.
It’s been five years since I’d held her.
I married shortly after she did.
It didn’t work out.
In the end, my wife and I parted ways.

She didn’t want to be married to a man that didn’t love her. The truth is, I never loved her. Married her to try to forget the one that held my heart. Her. Stella. Nobody in Sage knew that I’d parted ways with my wife. Not that it was any of their business. I’m a private man. I was blessed with one good thing. My boys.

Caine.
Murdoch.
Lance.

I glanced across the room and smiled as I watched my boys play. Caine is now five. Murdoch four. And Lance, he’s content in his walker. He’s a year old today. I focused back on the paperwork and sighed. This shit could wait. Right now, I’m gonna take my kids to the park.

I stood up and went to my boys, scooping Lance in my arms. “Hey bud, how about we go grab some food?”

“Daddy?” Caine scrunched his nose.

“You guys hungry?”

“Yeah!” Caine and Murdoch screamed together.

Just as we started for the door, I heard a soft knock. I handed Lance to Caine and told him. “Just give Daddy a second.”

I walked back to my desk in case it was a customer. When the door opened, I knew who it was. I swallowed hard. Deep down, I knew it was Stella. And… I knew exactly what had happened. Paul had done it again.

“Stella?”

“Max, I… I just had to know you were okay.”

“What are you talking about?” I asked, walking towards her.

“I have to go.”

I took her by the hand gently and led her inside. “What are you doing here, Stella?”

“I’m sorry… I shouldn’t have come.”

I pulled the hood away from her face and whispered. “Sugar, what has he done to you?”

“Paul, he…” I wrapped my arms around her waist and held her close.

“Shh, you don’t have to say anything.”

“Daddy?” I heard Murdoch ask.

“Change of plans, we’re gonna order a pizza and breadsticks.” I answered.
“Stella, you hungry?”

She shook her head.

I pulled the hood back on her head and kissed her forehead. “Does he know where you are?”

“No, he’s gone for the day.”

“Good, because you’re spending the day with us. Wait, where’s Trevor and Aubree?”

“My parent’s house.”

Thankfully, I managed to get her to the house without being seen by anyone. I ordered pizza and took a seat next to her, taking her by the hand. “First, we’ll eat.”

“I’m not hungry.”

“You misunderstood me. You will eat, Daddy’s orders. Then, I’ll put a movie on for the boys and you will tell me what happened.”

“I…”

“And I don’t want you leaving anything out. I want to know every last detail.”

About twenty minutes later, the pizza arrived. Two large pizzas and an order of cheesy breadsticks. Stella pulled her hood back and forced a smile. I knew it was fake, but it’s okay.

“Daddy, she’s all beat up.” Caine leaned over and whispered in my ear.

“Shh.” I chastised him.

“It’s okay, Max. I must look dreadful.”

“Did you fight someone?” Murdoch asked, stuffing his face with pizza.

“You could say that.” Stella murmured.

“Tell Daddy who it is and he’ll kick his ass.”
“Language, Caine.”

“I mean butt. Yeah, that’s what I said.” He corrected himself.

Thankfully, no more questions were asked. I put on a movie for the boys and met Stella back in the kitchen. I cupped her cheeks and out of habit, I kissed her. She melted into the kiss and moaned. I knew it was wrong and I would probably go to hell when I died, but I had to taste my Angel. If only just this once.

I pulled away from her and whispered. “It’s gotten worse, hasn’t it?”

“You have no idea how bad it is. The things… the things he made me do, I wished he’d killed me.”

“Don’t say that, sugar. Don’t ever say that shit to me. I can’t even begin to imagine a world without you in it. What about your children?”

She bowed her head as tears ran down her cheeks. “I’m sorry.”

“I know you are, but you can’t say that. Not to me. Never to me.”

My thumbs brushed her cheeks gently as I kissed her once more before sitting down, pulling her onto my lap.

I took a deep breath and listened to her. She didn’t leave out one detail. I clenched my jaw as she told me how Paul used her. How Paul and his buddy hurt her. I thought I hated Paul years ago, but no, now I wanted his blood. I wanted to make him bleed and leave him for dead. Send him to hell where he belongs.

“I swear on my life, sugar, he’ll pay. I’m gonna fuckin’ kill the bastard.”

Stella clutched my shirt, tears falling down her cheeks. “You can’t!”

“I can and I will, sugar.” I told her.

“No. If you do that, he’ll burn your garage to the ground. I couldn’t live with myself if something happened to you and your family. Your sons. Your wife.”

“We’re not together anymore, sugar.”

“But…”

“My wife and I haven’t been together for weeks and I’m okay with that.”

“Why would you get divorced? You love her.”

“No, sugar,” I cupped her cheek. “I have only been in love with one woman in my entire life. You, baby, it’s always been you.”

It was true.
I, Max Spelling, had fallen for Stella.
Ever since I’d seen her in the woods.
My only regret was I didn’t tell her sooner.
Then maybe, we might be together as a family.
But now…
I’d do anything in my power to get her away from Paul.
Even if I had to kill to have her.
At least then, she’d be alive.
Out of the Devil’s clutches.

“Can you just hold me for a little bit longer?”

“Anything you want, baby girl. Anything for you.”

I held her in my arms and never wanted to let her go. But sadly, I knew this moment wouldn’t last. She’d have to go back to her life. And me? I’d have to watch her walk away. I’d have to live in heartbreak, knowing there wasn’t a damn thing I could do. Not without innocent people getting hurt. Not without Stella suffering consequences for my actions.

Soon, baby.
Soon I’ll find a way to rescue you from the monster known as your husband.