"Now that we are seated, can you tell me everything Tracey told you?" Stella asked Alex. She avoided his intense gaze while pretending to be fascinated by the throw pillow on the couch.
Alex took Stella's hand into his and said calmly. "Stella, I want you to know that I love you, irrespective of who you are, what you've done or what you're planning to do. Whatever Tracey told me doesn't count. What counts is what you tell me now. You can trust me with your secrets and I'll do everything in my power to protect you."
"What are you talking about?" Stella pulled her hands away from Alex and stood up. She walked away from him toward the window, fidgeting at Alex's words.
Alex sighed at her reaction. He could see that she was unwilling to divulge her identity to him. But he wasn't about to let her go without talking some sense into her.
