Deeper [The Underground 3] (Siren Publishing Allure) (18 page)

Stella was crying herself now and wrapped her arms around his neck. “I’m so glad to hear that, Daddy.”

He tightened his arms around her and his voice broke on a sob. “I haven’t heard you call me that since you were a little girl. It’s good to hear.” They stayed embraced for several minutes and then he pulled away from her and brushed her tears away. “It’s time for me to go now, sweetie.”

Even though her father was going to a rehab facility and she knew this was what was going to get him better, it was still hard to see him go. Over the last couple weeks he had been trying to do well. Admitting he actually had a problem had been the first step, and then when he broke down and told her he needed to get help she knew this had to be the time when everything would change. “I know.” She stood and helped him up. He bent and grabbed his bag and slung it over his shoulder. “You know, I wish you would let me take you. It’s only a forty-five minute drive.”

He bent down and kissed her forehead. “I now, darling, but I’m not going to inconvenience you.”

“It wouldn’t be an inconvenience, Dad. I want to help you out.” His smile was sad but beneath that she saw determination. Her father was as hardheaded as her and she knew he wouldn’t be swayed. Sighing, she nodded and walked him to the front door. His cab idled in the driveway and he turned and looked at her once more.

“I’ll be back in no time, Stella, and then we can start to rebuild our relationship. I miss being your father, honey, and I’m going to spend the rest of my life making it up to you.” He kissed her on the forehead once more and headed to the cab before she could respond. He waved at her through the back window as the cab pulled out and disappeared down the street. It would be months before she actually saw her dad again, but even though she was sad to see him go, she couldn’t wait to see him return.

* * * *

Stella took the order to the cook and grabbed two Cokes. The door at the little diner she worked at dinged as another customer entered. Saturdays were always busy, but the tips were good and she desperately needed the extra money. With her father in rehab she had extra expenses. The extra hours she was working were draining every last ounce of energy she had, but the end result was rewarding. It had been two weeks since her father left and although she had only spoken to him twice since then, he had sounded so much healthier and happier.

“Just take a seat anywhere and I’ll be right with you.” Stella grabbed the two plates sitting under the hot lights and dropped them off before making her way to the new customer. Head down as she flipped through her notepad, she said, “Afternoon. Can I get you something to drink?” She lifted her head and couldn’t help the smile that curved her mouth. “Miles? What are you doing here?” He wore a light sweater with a sports jacket over it with one of those fancy insignias on the left breast. He looked out of place, what with all the truckers and barflies needing some coffee after a late night.

“Well, I was in the neighborhood and thought I’d stop by and try the city’s best piece of apple pie.”

Stella snorted. “Are you sure you’re in the right diner?”

He smiled but it didn’t quite reach his eyes. “I’ll just take a cup of coffee and a slice of pie.”

After she set it in front of him she noticed how he held an almost uncomfortable look on his face. “Miles? Is everything okay?” She took a seat across from him, not caring if her boss caught her. There was obviously something bothering Miles that he had sought her out. He took a sip of his coffee. She could have laughed at the grimace that marred his weathered face. “Sorry, it is pretty crummy coffee.” He held her gaze. “I’m not complaining about seeing you, but what are you really doing here, Miles?” Ever since she ran from Tate it was getting easier to put everything behind her. Of course she wouldn’t forget, couldn’t, but with her busy schedule and her father trying to get healthy, she hadn’t had much time for herself time to wallow in her own self-pity. He didn’t respond but instead reached into his inner coat pocket and pulled out a slip of paper. He slid it across the table until it rested in front of her.

“I know what happened and what he said to you. I know I shouldn’t be here or giving you that”—he gestured down to the paper—“but there are things you need to know, things that will show you what you need to know.” He picked up his fork, his gaze still on hers. “I’m not making excuses for him, but his past has tormented him his whole life and it made him do things that he wouldn’t have done if things had been different. He won’t admit it, but ever since you left he is different. His anger is consuming him and making him the person he has always hated.” He speared the prongs into the pie and brought it to his mouth. After he swallowed and took a drink he stared at her pointedly. “I’m not asking you for anything more than to go to this address. Find out who Tate Wessen really is.” With that he stood and laid some money on the table. “By the way, the pie here is horrible.” She smiled and watched as he left.

Stella stared down at the piece of paper and finally found the courage to pick it up and read it. She didn’t know what she had been expecting but the address sprawled across in obsidian ink.

2935 Everclear Place

She slipped the piece of paper in her pocket and went back to work. Did she really want to find out who Tate really was?

Six fucking weeks. That’s how long it had been since he pushed Stella away. It had been the longest month and a half of Tate’s life, and that was saying a lot. He hadn’t seen or talked to her and it was slowly eating away at him. He thought with every week that passed he would be able to push her farther from his mind, but it seemed to be having the opposite effect. His anger was far worse and he found himself constantly getting into the cage, looking for a way to get rid of his feelings. Every day regret filled him for what he said to her, but in the end his misery was what was going to save her.

Miles’s words played over and over in his head. He knew what a fuck-up he was, knew that he destroyed everything that was good and decent in his life. He blew out a breath and tossed back the rest of his whiskey. It was only ten in the morning but what difference did it make? He was either going to drink now or when he got home. Going back to his house, feeling the residue of everything light and happy that was Stella ate at him every fucking night. So many times he had gotten into his car and started it, feeling the engine purr beneath him because he was tempted to go to her. Of course in the end he dragged his sorry ass back in the house because no good could come out of him seeing her. She would no doubt slam the door in his damn face and he couldn’t blame her. The rejection was exactly what he needed, but the pain he would feel when he saw her would tear him to shreds. No, he would sit here and suffer because he was a piece of shit and that was what he deserved.

The whole issue with Alyssia was behind him, and it had only cost him the single most important person that had walked into his life. Just thinking about Stella made him want to be a better man, but his sordid past would always be there. The good he tried to do now didn’t matter. He was an all-around asshole and he had dug this hole for himself.

He ran a hand over his face and breathed out. He was exhausted, but he supposed that was what happened when one wasn’t sleeping worth a shit. Damn, how in the hell was he going to get over her? Those five days he had spent with her and been explosive and it had nothing to do with the mind-blowing sex they had. It had been an instantaneous attraction that built so quickly it had left him reeling. He picked up the phone and punched in the numbers to his property on Everclear. He would need to go there later on tonight and make sure operations were running smoothly.

“I’m coming in tonight. Make sure the paperwork is in order.” After he hung up he leaned back in his chair. Maybe one day he could talk to Stella and explain everything to her, explain that he was trying damn hard to be a good person. Maybe one day he would be worthy of her love.

* * * *

Stella had spent twenty minutes in her driveway debating whether this was really the right decision. Now that she was turning down Crestfallen Drive, she wished she would have stayed at home. The driveway was long and made up of rough pebble. It was clear this was a new road because the stone was a startling white. There were acres and acres of green land on either side of her and she could see the Rockies in the not-so-far distance. It had taken her two weeks to get the nerve up to actually make the hour-long trip. She didn’t know what she would find or how it would show her exactly who Tate really was, but what she did know was that she had to find out. Even if she saw the absolute worst regarding Tate, she needed to know why Miles had sent her here.

The large sprawling house peeked over the horizon and she squinted to try and make it out clearer. The closer she got the better look she got at the porch that wrapped around the three-story building. She pulled into the circular driveway and shut off the car, staring up at the massive structure. Movement to her side drew her attention and she watched as a young woman and little girl brought in a basket full of clothing. It had been chilly the past few weeks, but it was clear they had taken advantage of the warm weather. As she watched the two walk up the porch and into the house the reality of what she just saw struck her.

Oh, God.
Miles had sent her to see Tate’s family, but why? Why would Miles send her an hour away just so she could watch the girlfriend or wife of Tate walk around with their child? A sick feeling in her stomach spread throughout her whole body and she started to turn the key in her ignition and get the fuck out of there. Tears prickled her eyes but before she could flee there was sharp rap on her window. She looked out her window and saw an older woman smiling down at her. Stella probably looked like an idiot because after a second the lady gestured for her to roll her window down. The glass slid down halfway and the woman’s smile widened.

“Hi there. I didn’t know anyone was coming today. I’ll show you around if you’d like.” There was a touch of sympathy in the woman’s face and Stella realized her tears had slid free and were sliding down her cheeks. Wiping them quickly away she knew her confusion was showing. Why in the world would this lady want to show her around Tate’s baby momma’s house? She started to shake her head but the woman was opening her car door and holding her hand out.

“You have nothing to be worried about, honey. It’s safe here, believe me.” Stella let the woman lead her out of the car and into the house. “I’m Margaret, by the way.” Her smile was soft and genuine, but it didn’t lessen Stella’s confusion about what the hell was going on.

When they stepped into the foyer the scent of natural wood assaulted her senses. Hardwood covered every square inch of the house and had cabin-like details. It was a luxurious and ornately detailed home. Several women milled around the house, carrying various things in their arms. Everything from books to laundry baskets were being taken up the wide staircase and into rooms.

“At Everclear we take weekly turns with the chores. Everything from cooking, cleaning, to gardening in the springtime is divided up between the women and even the older children.” Margaret held her hand in a firm yet gentle grasp as they weaved their way through each room. “There are twenty rooms in the cabin with three beds in ten of the rooms for family units.” Stella looked at her with knitted brows. “Don’t worry, honey, there are only two men allowed on the property and the women have grown to trust them. They only come around about twice a month to make sure everything is in order and after that we have the run of the house unless something needs their attention.” Margaret led her into a sitting room with a floral influence and big windows that let ample sunlight in.

Stella was ushered into an empty seat and she watched as Margaret went over to a desk and pulled out a folder before taking a seat in front of her. “So, sweetie, tell me a little bit about yourself.”

“Uh.” Stella glanced around the room. What was she supposed to tell this woman? “I was actually given this address by someone I know.” Margaret nodded and jotted something down on the paperwork she held. “I actually don’t know why I’m here.”

A sympathetic look crossed Margaret’s face. “A lot of women feel that way, honey.” She set the folder down and stared at Stella with sympathetic deep brown eyes. “This place was built with the hopes of helping lost women. This is a place where they can feel safe and keep their moral strength and sense of self. When a battered woman comes to us we embrace her with open arms. You are welcome, no questions asked.”

Battered women?
It took Stella a moment to process those words. She looked around the room again. The numerous women and children that she saw all made sense now. This place that Miles had sent her to was a shelter for abused women.
Why would Miles send me here to find out who Tate really is?
Margaret must have taken her silence as something completely different because she said, “Hey, honey, everyone woman here has a past that they don’t want to dredge up. If you don’t feel comfortable answering questions then don’t. We don’t push. All you have to do is heal.” Margaret stood and gestured for Stella to follow her.

“Come on, I’d like you to meet the person that made all of this possible.” Margaret led her down one of the long hallways and stopped in front of a set of double doors. She knocked on it twice. A tug on Stella’s shirtsleeve had her looking down at a pair of big blue eyes. The little girl that stared up at her had dirt-covered cheeks and a smile that was missing two front teeth.