Chapter 19

"Thanks a lot for helping me out, really, but I know my own injuries—I want to go home," Stella said, her voice weary but firm. Edward, on the other hand, didn't buy it. He knew exactly how rough his men could be, especially when they didn't hold back. And yeah, to be fair, his order to ease up had come in kinda late. Honestly, if he'd hesitated even a minute more, Stella might've been beaten to death. He wasn't about to watch a beauty like her die for nothing. A smirk tugged at the corner of his lips as he leaned closer to her. The space between them practically vanished—they could feel each other's breath. Stella instinctively tried to move away, but pain shot through her body, keeping her rooted in place. Edward's voice dropped, smooth and low. "Stella, it's in your best interest to cooperate. Just stay here quietly and recover, and I promise—I won't do anything you'll regret..." Then his tone shifted, a playful threat creeping in. "But if you insist on being difficult, well, I can'