Page 52 of Deserving Maisy
“Shhhh,Stellina, you’re safe now.”
She loved when he called her his littlestar. “Not safe,” she disagreed, then she closed her eyes and couldn’t find the strength to open them again. Maybe she’d take a nap, then she’d get up and do whatever it was she was supposed to do. At the moment, she didn’t care about anything other than sleeping.
CHAPTER THIRTEEN
Stone stared down at Maisy with a frown. He’d been so pissed at her when she’d entered the room, but now he couldn’t stop worrying. Her breaths were shallow and slow, and he couldn’t stop staring at her chest, making sure it kept moving up and down as she slept. No, she wasn’t sleeping, she was passed the fuck out.
He’d needed space from her after his memory had returned, but in taking that space, he’d left her alone with her brother. And she’d returned to him abused and drugged. It wasn’t acceptable.
Stone’s feelings about the woman on the bed were confusing. He hated her for participating in this crazy deception, but the love he had for her was still there. Simmering under the surface.
His phone vibrated, startling Stone so badly he jerked toward the door. Shaking his head, he answered, putting it on speaker. It wasn’t as if he needed to hide the call or what was said from Maisy. Not when she was dead to the world.
Even thinking the worddeadmade him feel panicky inside.
“Stone.”
“Fuck, it’s good to hear your voice!”
Stone grinned. “Likewise, Owl. Are you and Lara really all right?”
“We’re good. It’syouwe were worried about. Did you really have amnesia?”
“You really think I’d let you guys worry for this long if I didn’t?” Stone asked a little harsher than he’d intended.
“No, of course not. I’m just so damn relieved that you’re okay.”
“What’s the plan?”
“Stone, Brick here. I talked to the others and they agree that with all the questions about what the hell is actually going on, it’s best if your exit strategy is covert. Ry’s been working since the second she heard where you are and got the number of the phone you’re using, and she seems to think the assholes who kidnapped you have no idea who you actually are.”
“How does she know that?” Stone asked in confusion.
“How does she knowanythingshe knows?” Pipe asked.
Stone grinned. “Hey, how’s Cora?”
“She’s good. We’re thinking about fostering a seven-year-old boy.”
“Can we please stick to the topic at hand?” Brick asked, but Stone could hear the pride and happiness for their friend in his tone.
“Great news, Pipe. You’re going to be an amazing role model and father.”
“If we get approved,” Pipe said dryly. “People tend totake one look at my tattoos and think twice. Not to mention my funny accent.”
“Whatever,” Stone said. “If Ry is as good as you guys say she is, she can just go in and approve the application, move it through.”
“Hey, that’s a great idea,” Pipe said.
“No, it’s not. Can we not encourage her to break the law any more than she’s already doing in order to get Stone home?” Brick grumbled.
Stone heard chuckles, and realized all his friends were probably on the other end of the line. “Tonka? Spike? Is Tiny there too?” he asked.
“We’re here,” Tonka said.
“But Tiny’s at his cabin hovering over Ry, as if he has any clue as to what she’s doing on that computer of hers,” Spike said with a laugh.
“Henley and Reese are good? Pregnancies going okay? Shit, I feel as if I’ve been gone for years instead of weeks,” Stone said with a frown.
