Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella: "So why would he snatch Susie from my sister right now?"

She honestly didn't get it.

If Dan Duff is butting heads with Lacey, wouldn't it make more sense for him to just sit back and enjoy the show?

What's the point of swooping in and taking Susie?

Ronald shrugged. "Maybe something's up between Lacey and Derek."

After all, those two used to be married, didn't they?

Stella hesitated. "But Susie..."

"Hey, don't worry about it, okay?" Ronald said gently, trying to ease her nerves.

And as always, Ronald's calm analysis helped Stella relax a little. She trusted him more than anyone always had, always would. If Ronald said Susanna would be fine, then she'd be fine.

***

With Stella settled down, things seemed under control-for now.

But Yvonne was a whole different story. She was running around like her hair was on fire.

An hour later, she got a call back from Ronald. Gone was her usual bravado; instead, she sounded like a little sister who'd gotten in trouble and needed her brother to bail her out.

Especially since this time, she'd pissed off Hull-the one woman who'd ever gotten under his skin.

Yvonne knew exactly how much trouble she was in.

Ronald's tone was low and warning: "Next time, keep your mouth shut around Star."

He'd just spent forever calming the poor girl down.

Yvonne protested, "Hey, I only said something because you told me to!"

She knew how close Stella and Susanna were. The second she heard Stella's voice, she'd tried to zip it, but Ronald had pushed her to say it.

Ronald just grunted.

Yvonne muttered, "If Hull finds out, he's going to tear me to pieces, isn't he?"

Ugh, there was no way she could take on Hull. When that guy got angry, he made Xander look like a puppy.

She'd watched Hull clean up Ronald's messes for years. The guy was a pro. Even as Ronald's sister,

Yvonne had always been careful tonoveldrama

never cross him.

Ronald: "So now you're scared?"

"How was I supposed to know Susie meant that much to Hull?" she whined.

Last time she'd tested the waters, Hull was ready to give up anything for Susanna.

Anything. That meant Susanna was a big freaking deal to him.

The guy was head over heels for the first time¶n his life-and right when he was at his most lovesick, Yvonne had let Susanna slip away. The consequences... yeah, she could imagine.

Ronald: "Where are you now?"

"I'm heading to Black Gate to make Dan pay. If Susanna's still alive, I' bring her back myself. If she's not, I'll take Dan's head to Hull as am apology."

Ronald: "... You're going to take on Dan?"

Black Gate was already a madhouse, with Lacey and Dan Duff at each other's throats.

Now Yvonne wanted to throw herself into the chaos too?

"Susanna's not dead," Ronald said, his voice deep.

Yvonne: "How do you know?"

"If she was, Dan would have the entire Black Gate after him. Her dad, her brother, her stepmom-everyone would be out for blood."

Yvonne: "Wait... oh. Ohhh."

It made sense. Leave it to her brother to spell it out. She'd been too freaked out about losing Susanna to think it through.

Ronald's words calmed her down. "Fine," Yvonne said fiercely. "I'm getting Susanna back myself."

She'd get Susanna out before Hull found out-and if she had to, she'd take Dan Duff down for good.