Spectrum (Stone Society Book 14)

by Faith Gibson

  “The police mentioned they’ll be here this morning to get Stella’s statement. Concentrating will be unpleasant for Stella, but it’s in her best interest to talk to them sooner rather than later so they can do their job in finding who did this to her.” Dr. Crabtree was speaking to them both, but he couldn’t keep his eyes off Sheila.

  Sheila clutched her hands to her chest. “Thank you, Dr. Crabtree.”

  “Please, call me Anson. I’ll be back later to check in. Will you still be here, Sheila?”

  “Yes. I’ll be here.”

  “Then I’ll see you soon.” The older man smiled at her.

  Zeke thanked the doctor and walked him out, and when they opened the door, Bradley was waiting in the hallway.

  “How is Stella?”

  “Who are you?” Dr. Crabtree asked.

  “I’m Bradley Calhoun, Stella’s boss. She’s a teacher at my high school. I’m the one who found her.” Bradley had been so focused on Dr. Crabtree that he hadn’t noticed Zeke. When he did, he scowled.

  “Since you aren’t family, I’m not at liberty to discuss my patient. If the family wishes to talk to you, that is up to them.”

  “He’s not family,” Bradley said, pointing to Zeke.

  “He is Stella’s fiancé,” Dr. Crabtree responded. Bradley opened his mouth to argue, but two police officers stepped up beside him.

  The female of the duo, Officer Dowd according to her nameplate, frowned at Bradley. “Mr. Calhoun? What are you doing here?”

  “I came to check on Stella. Did you find who did this to her?” Bradley’s mood shifted, and a fine sheen of sweat appeared above his lip. Zeke would bet his beach house Bradley knew more than he had told.

  “That’s why we’re here. Now if you’ll excuse us, we need to speak to Stella,” Officer Dowd said, dismissing Bradley by shouldering past him. “Did I hear correctly that you’re Miss Bentley’s fiancé?” she asked Zeke.

  “Yes. Zeke Seymour. I was out of town when Stella was attacked. I got here as soon as possible.”

  “Do you have anyone who can corroborate your whereabouts?”

  “Absolutely. I went to visit my brother up in Montana. I can give you his contact information. I also have flight and rental car receipts if you’d like to see them.”

  Officer Dowd produced a business card. “Please forward them to my email. Is Miss Bentley awake?”

  “She wasn’t a few minutes ago.” Zeke gestured for the female to walk ahead of him into the room. When her partner was inside, Zeke shut the door in Bradley’s face before walking around Stella’s bed. He brushed a kiss against her forehead. “Stella? Baby, the officers need you to wake up and talk to them.”

  “Zeke,” she murmured.

  “I’m here, Love. Can you open your eyes for me?” Zeke couldn’t help but speak to Stella as though they had been together a while instead of having just met. He already knew she was his forever.

  Stella blinked a few times, then focused on his face. Her smile was weak but instantaneous. “Hi.”

  “I’m going to raise the bed a little so you can talk to Officer Dowd, okay?”

  Once Stella was in a seated position, she turned to the cop. “I’m ready.”

  “Miss Bentley, do you know who did this to you?”

  “No. He was large, about Zeke’s size, but his hair was dark, and he had a scar running down his left cheek.”

  “Can you walk us through what happened?” The officer held a tablet in front of her, ready to take notes.

  “I was driving home from the grocery store. I went the back way because…” Stella glanced over at Zeke.

  “What is it? Did you remember something?” Zeke sat next to her and took her hand.

  “I usually shop at the Farm Fresh Market, but I didn’t want to drive that far, so I stopped at a store closer to my house. Bradley was there, and I didn’t want to talk to him, so I left and went to Farm Fresh anyway. I was still a little shaken from seeing my boss, so I drove the long way home because it’s all back roads, and the scenery is nicer. A truck drove up behind me and crossed the double yellow line. I thought he was going to pass, but instead, he rammed into my car. He hit me a couple times, and I spun out. The man pulled me out of my car and hit me until I blacked out.”

  As Stella spoke, Zeke had to calm his beast. Hearing Bradley had been in the same store didn’t sit well with Zeke, and he figured there was more to the story.

  “Did the man say anything to you while he was hitting you?”

  “No. I have no idea why he attacked me.”

  “Miss Bentley, why didn’t you want to speak to your boss? Do you not have a good relationship with him?” Officer Dowd’s partner asked.

  “I went out with him about a year ago, and ever since, he’s tried to get me to go out with him again. He sends flowers and calls on the weekend. He disrupts my class. I’ve told him I’m not interested over and over, but he won’t take no for an answer.”

  “If you have a fiancé, shouldn’t that give him the hint you aren’t interested?” Office Dowd asked.

  Zeke didn’t want Stella to have to lie, so he answered for her. “Our engagement is new.”

  Stella grinned at Zeke, squeezing his hand.

  “Is this true, Miss Bentley?” Officer Dowd was watching them closely.

  “It is. We haven’t even told my mother. We were going to announce our engagement when we took her to supper next week. It’s why I’m not wearing my ring.” It was all Zeke could do to keep a straight face. Either Stella had grasped what he said to her during the night, or she had some amazing psychic abilities. As for Sheila, she crossed her arms over her chest but didn’t dispute her daughter.

  “The forensic specialist was able to get skin from under your fingernails. It’s being run through the various databases. Hopefully, your assailant has priors and is in the system. This isn’t like television where results are instantaneous. This could take up to a week if not longer.”

  “And if he isn’t in the system?” Zeke asked.

  “We’ll find him. I’m going to go back to Farm Fresh and ask to see their security feed. Hopefully, he followed Stella from the store and his truck was caught on camera. Miss Bentley, what kind of car does your boss drive?”

  “A black Mercedes. Why?”

  “Just covering all my bases. Your fiancé has my card. If you can think of anything else, please give me a call.”

  Stella nodded, her eyes drooping. But still, she smiled at Zeke and mouthed, “Fiancé?”

  Zeke grinned back and shrugged. He leaned over and whispered, “It was the only way the nurse would let me in last night. Did you hear me talking to you last night?”

  “I thought I was dreaming.”

  “Stella,” Sheila started, so Zeke sat up. When Stella turned toward her mother, Sheila’s eyes were filled with tears. “Why didn’t you tell me how bad things were with Bradley?”

  “I didn’t want you to worry.”

  “It looks like I have good reason to.”

  “Not anymore, you don’t.” Zeke’s phone pinged. “Excuse me.” When he checked the message, it was from Cyrus. Zeke had forgotten about his brother, and he felt like shit for it. “I need to call my brother. I’m going to step out in the hall for a second.” Zeke stood, then leaned over and softly kissed Stella on the lips. “I’ll be right back.”

  “Okay,” she responded dreamily. Whether her expression was from the pain meds or the mate bond, he didn’t know.

  “Hey, Cyrus. I’m sorry I left you hanging. I know you didn’t come with me to sit in a hotel.”

  “Nah, don’t worry about me. How’s Stella?”

  Zeke stepped into the stairwell and relayed everything.

  “Damn, Brother. I’m sorry.”

  “It’s not your fault.”

  “It kind of is. If you hadn’t come to visit, you’d have been here with your female,” Cyrus stated, almost as though he had read Zeke’s mind.

  “No, that is all on her attacker. But w
hat’s done is done. Stella will be okay in a few days. I’m taking her to my beach house. You’re welcome to come with us. There’s plenty of room, and I’d like to spend more time getting to know you.”

  “Yeah? I’ve never been to the beach. If you’re sure, I’d love to take you up on your offer.”

  Zeke realized he wanted that a lot. He wanted to be alone with Stella, but he wouldn’t be able to claim her until after she was feeling better. Plus, he still had to tell her the truth.

  “Absolutely. We won’t be going home until tomorrow at the earliest, so if you’d like to go ahead and take the rental, I can give you the keys as well as the security code. You’ll be more comfortable there than in a hotel.”

  “Sure, I’d love that. Is there anything you need me to bring you?”

  “Actually, there is.” Zeke told Cyrus the one thing he wanted his brother to pick up for him, thanked him, then headed back to Stella’s room.

  Chapter Six

  “Please tell me you were both joking about being engaged,” Sheila said as soon as the door closed.

  Stella wished they hadn’t been kidding, and wasn’t that crazy? And what was even crazier was the dream she had where Zeke told her about being some kind of shapeshifter. How the two of them were fated mates, destined to be together for a long time. Stella wasn’t one to remember her dreams, but she remembered that one. She blamed it on the drugs.

  “It was the only way Zeke could get in last night.”

  Shelia brushed a strand of hair behind her own ear. “I need to call the office and ask off for next week. Anson said you need to rest for the next few days.”

  “Anson?”

  “Dr. Crabtree.” Her mom blushed and walked over to stare out the window.

  “Is he hot?” Stella asked. She was fading, but she didn’t want to fall asleep again until Zeke returned.

  “What? Who?” Sheila grabbed Stella’s cup and took it to the bathroom. When she returned, she refilled it with fresh water.

  Stella grinned. “Anson. Who else?”

  “He’s, well yes, but… Anyway, he said you can go home tomorrow barring any setbacks today.”

  “She’ll be coming home with me,” Zeke announced as he entered the room. “I’m taking Stella to my beach house. I think she needs to put some distance between her and Calhoun while she heals.”

  Stella knew Sheila would protest, but there was nothing more Stella wanted than to go with Zeke. “Thank you, Zeke. I appreciate the offer. I need to call Kerri Barnett and see if she’s the one covering my classes this week.”

  “Stella—”

  “No, Mom. This is what I want. Besides, you used all your vacation time for our trip.” Stella yawned, and her head throbbed. “Please hand me my phone so I can call Kerri, then I need a nap.”

  Sheila did as asked, but she wasn’t happy with Stella’s decision. Things with Zeke were moving at Mach speed, but she didn’t care. She trusted him. The way she knew Bradley wasn’t right for her, Stella knew Zeke was. She had already planned on visiting him in New Oceanside during winter break, but now she got to do that a week earlier. Kerri admitted Bradley had called her in to sub, then Stella briefly explained what happened.

  “Everything okay with your brother?” Stella was trying hard to stay awake. She wanted nothing more than to talk to Zeke.

  “Yes. When I found out what happened, he offered to come with me. He’ll be here in a little while to get the key to the beach house, and then he’s going to drive there this afternoon instead of staying in a hotel.”

  “Stella, I don’t like this.” Shelia had no trouble speaking her mind, and it often embarrassed Stella. “You’re going home with not one but two strangers.”

  “Mom, Zeke isn’t a stranger. I’ve never given you reason not to trust me. I’m a good judge of character, and I was planning on visiting him over winter break anyway. Now I get to see the ocean sooner.”

  “Sheila, you’re more than welcome to come visit. To see for yourself I’m taking good care of our girl.”

  Stella held back a groan. She didn’t want her mother intruding. Even though Zeke’s brother would also be there, she had a feeling he wouldn’t have a problem giving them their space, unlike her mom who would try to take over.

  “You say beach house like it’s not your only home. Do you have more than one house? And what do you do for a living?”

  “Mom!” Stella was curious as well, but she had more tact.

  “It’s okay,” Zeke said as he sat down in the chair and ran his fingertip across the back of Stella’s hand. It was comforting as well as arousing. Stella was a young woman who had enjoyed sex whenever she was in a relationship, but there had always been something missing. The sex hadn’t been bad with her past partners, but it was nothing like what she read in romance novels. The softest touch from Zeke had her ready to kick her mom out of the room.

  “I do have two houses, the other being in Tennessee, but I prefer the one here in California. As for my job, I am a consultant, meaning I work for myself. I am good at investing, and I have enough money saved that if I didn’t want to work anymore, I wouldn’t have to. If Stella wanted to stop teaching and travel the world, I can offer that to her. But more than money, I can offer Stella a life filled with love.”

  “But you just met.”

  “This is true, and I will take things as slow as Stella needs, but I will do that by her side.”

  If Stella had any doubts Zeke was the one for her, he just obliterated them. She felt the sincerity in his words. His honesty, his strength, everything about the gorgeous blond washed over her, and she closed her eyes, knowing he would be there when she woke.

  Zeke was thankful when Dr. Crabtree interrupted to check on Stella. Sheila’s whole demeanor changed in the presence of the man. Zeke understood the woman’s disbelief that Zeke and Stella were a done deal. She had no idea of the bond between the two, and it wasn’t something Zeke ever planned on sharing with her. Maybe if he hadn’t dated the woman, if he hadn’t transitioned when Stella was a toddler… No, not even if that weren’t the case. The only ones who needed to know the truth were the Gargoyle and their mate.

  “Sheila, could I interest you in a cup of coffee?” Dr. Crabtree had barely stepped foot in the room before he turned his attention to Stella’s mom.

  “You could, thank you.” Sheila stood, but before she left with the doctor, she pulled the sheet up higher over Stella’s chest and brushed her hair back. Zeke had no doubt the woman loved her daughter, but it was now Zeke’s responsibility to care for her. Maybe Sheila and the doctor would hit it off, and she would turn her focus on someone other than Stella.

  Zeke breathed a sigh of relief as soon as they were out of the room and spent the quiet time studying his mate. The bruises hurt his heart as well as pissed him off. If the police didn’t find the man responsible, Zeke would call on his new friends from the Stone Society. His new Clan. For so many years, Zeke had longed for the closeness he found when spending time with both his family and their mates in Egypt. The males had accepted him, no questions asked. Both Sophia and Tessa were in good hands with their mates.

  Cyrus texted when he arrived at the hospital, and Zeke stood to meet him at the door. Cyrus handed him the item, and Zeke admired the purchase, then thanked his brother for retrieving it.

  “I’m sorry,” Cyrus whispered, getting a look at Stella’s bruises.

  “Hey, none of that.” Zeke squeezed Cyrus’s shoulder. “She’s going to be fine. Here.” Zeke handed his brother the key to the house as well as a piece of paper with the address and alarm code. “Is there anything special you want from the grocery store? I’m going to place an order for delivery to arrive later so you have time to get settled before it arrives.”

  “I’m not picky, as long as there’s coffee and sandwich stuff. I am a pretty good cook, and I’ll gladly take over that duty while I’m visiting so you can focus on your mate.”

  “And I’ll gladly take you up on that, but don’t
feel obligated. I want you to enjoy your stay.”

  “Oh, I plan on it. Like I said, I’ve never even seen the ocean, so this is going to be like a vacation. Now, I’m going to hit the road. I can’t wait to stick my toes in the sand.”

  “Don’t expect to get a tan. The weather is chilly this time of year. Then again, you’re used to Montana.”

  “True. Still, I’m excited. Thank you, Zeke. I’ll see you both tomorrow.” Cyrus pulled Zeke in for a hug, and Zeke welcomed it. He was excited too, but it was for his future. He had not only found his mate, but Zeke felt as though he and Cyrus would become close. He looked forward to getting to know his brother, and when the time came, helping him through his transition.

  Sheila returned from her coffee break with the doctor, and her mood was different. She didn’t argue with Zeke. In fact, she offered to go to Stella’s house and pack a bag for the upcoming week. While she was gone, Zeke made some calls. After finding Stella’s car, he made arrangements to have it towed to a body shop. He planned on buying her a new vehicle, but in the meantime, he would have her old one fixed.

  When she woke from her nap, Stella felt well enough to eat. She had missed lunch, and Zeke was glad to see his mate polish off her supper. Other than the bruises, her color was returning, and her eyes held more life than earlier. Her smile… gods, her smile was everything. Zeke never wanted it to diminish, so he hoped the gift he had would help keep it there.

  “I have a gift for you.” He picked up her left hand and slid the ring on her finger. After telling Connie he had a ring, Zeke got online and found the perfect one, then had Cyrus pick it up. He wasn’t sure of the size, but it was close if maybe a little loose. “This isn’t a proper proposal. Yet. It is a promise. A vow to get to know one another. A vow to take care of you until you are sure I’m the male for you. I will give you as long as you need, but until then, I’ll be by your side, doing everything in my power to make you happy.”