Dangerous Hearts

Telling Stella

Charlie's POV

After another hour of working tirelessly outside, Alex came meandering in absolutely dripping with sweat. I nearly dropped the milk jug I had in my hand when I saw him. Despite the fact that he no longer had a shirt on which showed off his spectacular body, the sheen of sweat on his torso and forehead was calling to me in the most insanely erotic way. After a few moments, while my jaw was undoubtedly on the floor, he grinned at me before taking a long swig of his water bottle, "Baby girl, you're drooling."

I snapped my mouth shut quickly, my teeth clicking together almost painfully. "I just...uh..." Words weren't working for me at the moment and, luckily for me, Stella crashed through the front door and saved me from trying anymore.

"Hello tall, half-naked stranger that distracted my best friend from contacting me all night," she said as she flew by him and beelined to me to wrap me in a hug. She really was a spitfire. I grinned over her shoulder at Alex, who was already smiling with soft eyes at us. "I am so upset at you for not telling me sooner," she said as she pulled away and gripped my shoulders tightly. "You had me so worried after last time and I don't want to deal with Stephen again like that."

My heart clenched at the reminder. Stephen had found out that I was out on a date with someone I'd met at the coffee shop down the block from the hospital and, instead of using his resources like usual, he went to Stella and threatened to hurt her if she didn't tell him where I was. I really couldn't even blame her for spilling it either, he was scary on a good day.

"I'm sorry, Stel. I didn't mean to make you worry, but everything was and is fine."

"I can see that, thank god!" She finally turned to face Alex, who was slipping his shirt on over his head now that the cool air had dried his sweat. Pity. He gave her a boyish grin, even though he met my eyes again. "Now, what was it that you two wanted to talk to me about?"

"Let's sit," he said, "this may be a bit of a shock to hear."

We all sat at the table as he walked her through everything that he'd told me last night. I'm pretty sure my face would be permanently in a grimace after this conversation because sweet, caring, gentle Stella went through so many emotions within the time span of what Alex was saying. He was handling it well, talking her down after she started screaming at him about his position and how he could put me and Oliver in even more danger than we already were, because all the police were on Stephen's side.

"I can assure you, that no one would ever lay their hands on her or Oliver and get away with it ever again," he promised darkly, his eyes flicking over to me briefly before settling them back on her.

Her breath hitched before she recovered, "You're scarier than he is," she said quietly before turning to me, "You're okay with all of this?" I nodded with no hesitation and I could see in her eyes that she understood why I was so infatuated with Alex right then. "Then I trust you to take care of them and make sure that Stephen pays for all the crap he put them through."

"You have my word."

"He wants us to stay with him at his place, but keep the house for when we have drop-offs for Oli so that Stephen doesn't suspect anything. Would you be willing to live there too?" I chimed in finally.

She turned back to me, "You and Oli?"

"All of you," he said, "I have enough room and I wouldn't feel comfortable leaving you behind when taking them to the safety of my home and I know she wouldn't either. I will pay for the house to keep everything as it is and provide unlimited protection for all of you for as long as you like."

She sighed, "I think I should go stay with my boyfriend while they are with you. I feel safer with him and I feel that they will be well protected by you, but if I change my mind, I'd like to be able to come. Just not right now."

"I understand. You are welcome anytime with us."

She nodded, "Thank you. I just want what's best for them."

I smiled and leaned over to hug her, "I love you Stel," I whispered.

"I love you too, you nut," she whispered back. I giggled into her shoulder as she squeezed me once before sitting back again. "Now, I have to go and make sure the boyfriend isn't losing his mind about me disrupting our weekend together." She stood up, "toodle-oo!"

I laughed at her orneriness as she left before turning to Alex's amused face, "She's a goofball, but you can't help but love her."

He chuckled, "No wonder you're such great friends." I nodded with a grin, "You almost done in here?"

"Just about. I'm putting everything back in the fridge now, and I'll save the cabinets for another time," I yawned, "I'm ready for a nap now." He chuckled and got up to help me put everything away quickly, and then we left to go back to his place to get some sleep.

Today was a pretty productive day.