Shadows Between Us (Stella and Sebastian) novel Chapter 16

Chapter 16

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Henry and Victor found Stella standing by the coffee machine. That faint, unnerving smile on her lips sent a chill down Henry’s spine.

“The surgery was successful. Victor said, his voice quiet and heavy with the lingering weight of the day.

“Uh–huh,” Stella replied as she ordered an iced coffee from the machine. She needed it to cool down.

“About that piece of glass…” Victor started.

Your grandson was in a car accident before, right?” Stella cut in, her patience thin.

Victor was quiet for a moment. “I owe you a favor,” he finally said, letting out a long sigh.

Beside him. Henry stiffened; he knew better than anyone what a promise from Victor meant.

“I don’t want anyone coming after me because of that surgery,” Stella said, her voice flat. She drained her iced coffee and tossed the empty cup toward the trash can, sinking it with a perfect throw.

Ever since she’d heard her in–game partner had been stolen, a tight ache had settled in her chest, some stupid physical reaction that just made her angrier.

Tll make sure of it,” Victor promised.

Victor had barely finished speaking when Henry extended a card.

Stella’s irritation vanished the moment she saw it, her beautiful eyes fixed on his hand.

How obvious can you get, Henry thought.

“Pin’s six zeroes,” Victor said.

Tl take it,” Stella said, accepting the card without hesitation. She’d earned it, after all.

“Henry will drive you home,” Victor said, clearing his throat as a faint smile touched his lips.

In tue car, Stella turned the sparkly pink phone over in her hands, cringing at her younger self’s questionable taste.

Much to her surprise, the phone turned on right away. She had to hand it to Evelyn for keeping it charged.

But what she saw next made her go quiet.

Henry glanced sideways at Stella. A low, simmering anger seemed to radiate from the passenger seat.

“Need any help he finally asked, his voice cautious.

Stella slowly turned her head to look at him, her expression saying everything.

That evening at the Tech Plaza, Stella and Henry stood out from the moment they arrived.

Stella, in her oversized black hoodie and with a cool, detached expression, was strikingly beautiful.

Henry followed a step behind her, tall and straight–backed, looking every bit the professional bodyguard. Together, they

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Chapter 16

chat look like they were there to shop They looked more like a princess and ber guard on a detached our of the commo world

That one that and that one too, Stella said, pointing at the items on the shelf

The shopkeeper first tried to sell ber some overprices, fachy puits, thinking she was just a kid who wouldn’t know better, But when he saw the components she asked for, he stopped underestimating ber

She clearly knew exactly what he was doing, and he was good at it

Why not just buy a pre–built computer? Henry asked puzzled

Nothing about Stella matched the report he had read

According to the report, he was a rebel who kipped school and caused trouble. Even her own parents called her a handful.

her now. Henry wacht so

The report had her pegged as rebellious and difcat, and that much was true. But Henry still had no idea what she’d actually been doing all those days she skipped class

The memory of her standing over an operating table, cutting open a patient’s chest without a second thought, only made the question loom larger

The specs aren’t good enough. Stella said with her hands in her pockets, barely glancing his way. The fact that she’d bothered to answer at all was for her, a sign of patience.

After leaving Tech Plara, Henry went to the parking lot to get the car.

Stella waited where she was pulling her hood up until most of her face was hidden in shadow

The memory of what she’d seen on her phone soured her mood further.

She clicked her tongue in annoyance, and then stilled at the sound of a scuttle from a nearby alley.

Stella glanced toward the noise, her attention sharpening in the dark.

Down the alley, a group was cornering someone.

“Got you now,” a voice taunted from the shadows.

A young man with a buzz cut lay on the ground, silently enduring the blows

Blood ran down his face from a cut above his eye, but the fierce set of his jaw showed he was no less tough than the ones beating him.

“Hey Stella’s bored voice cut through the noise. The group froze, turning toward the alley entrance.

Stella stood at the alley’s mouth, the deep shadow of a black hoodie hiding her features except for the faint line of her jaw. Her hands were in her pockets, her whole posture a silent warning.

Mind your own damn business…” one of the guys snarled.

He didn’t get to finish. A sudden kick to his chest sent him sprawling before anyone could move.

“Be polite,” Stella said, her voice cool as she lowered her gaze slightly.

Another one stepped forward, retorting. “Polite my-

The word choked off as she grabbed

throat and

ned

wainst the wall. His head cracked against the

Tue, Jan 13

Chapter 16

brick three times before he could even lift a hand.

Stella’s face stayed hidden beneath her hood, blank and cold as stone.

She let go, and the man dropped to the ground, unconscious.

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“Anyone else?” Stella asked, her eyes moving over the group.

The thugs all took a step back.

“You’ll pay for this!” one of them shouted, the kind of empty threat villains always make on their way out, before they all scrambled from the alley.

The boy with the bloody face coughed weakly. Then he saw a pair of canvas shoes in front of him.

His hand was still pressed flat against the ground when she crouched before him. A light, fresh scent drifted into the air around them.

Then her hand gripped his chin and forced his head up. Her face under the wide hood was beautiful, sharp, and cold, the only things he could make out through the pain in his head.

“An ambulance is coming,” she said, her voice flat, and let him go.

Hearing Henry call her name from the street, she stood up and slipped back into her usual careless posture.

The boy was too weak to lift his head. The last thing he saw was her back, fading into the darkness as she walked away.

The dock was awash in light.

“Ms. Carter.” Henry’s voice was low, pulling Stella from her light sleep. He didn’t look at her, his attention still on the black Bentley parked ahead in the dock lights.

Stella opened her eyes and murmured in reply. As she moved to get out, Henry spoke again, “You should know Mr. Gray is a dangerous man.”

Henry had no idea what Stella’s connection to Sebastian was, or why she of all people was allowed on his private island. It made no sense to him.

Most people knew better than to go near that island or its solitary owner.

Even today, with everything at stake, ordering a forced landing there would have been Henry’s last resort.

Stella looked back at him, her gaze cool and steady.

“Just a friendly warning,” Henry added.