Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Xander couldn't help but feel a rush of satisfaction when he heard that Lincoln was helping Lacey out for Hull.noveldrama

But that smug feeling disappeared in a flash when news came in that Yvonne was charging off to Black Gate to confront Dan, probably to snatch someone back. The whole thing left him a bit stunned.

Kyle was the one who brought him the update, with Shawn in the room too.

Xander frowned. "She's going to Black Gate? What for?"

Kyle just shrugged. All he knew was that Yvonne was headed to see Dan, but he had no clue what exactly she planned to do.

"Probably to rough up Mr. Murray?" Kyle guessed. "I mean, what else would she see Dan for these days? They're not about to reminisce over old times.”

That bridge had burned down years ago, thanks to Dan's scheming.

Now, whenever anyone heard Yvonne was looking for Dan, the first thought was always: Dan's about to get his ass kicked. Again.

Xander: "...'

Shawn: "..."

Beat up Dan? Wasn't Yvonne supposed to be training Susanna right now? If Susanna sharpened up, she'd be a real headache for Dan down the line. Why would Yvonne pick now to start drama with Dan? It didn't make sense.

Shawn squinted, thinking. "You think maybe... she's pregnant?”

The room fell silent, like someone had just pulled the plug on the world's stereo. Xander: "..

Kyle: "..."

Both of them stared at Shawn, Xander's brow knotted and Kyle looking like he'd just seen a ghost.

Shawn winced. "I mean, it could happen, right? It's been a while since that night at The Night Owl."

It had been over a month-prime time to find out about a pregnancy, right?

Xander's face darkened. "It was just that one time. You sure?"

Shawn nodded earnestly. "Hey, sometimes once is enough-especially if she's healthy."

"And she's got those hips!" he added, half-joking, half-admiring.

That last comment earned him a hard smack to the back of the head from Xander.

Shawn yelped, rubbing his skull. "Dude! What was that for?"

"If you say one more disrespectful thing about her, you won't need your mouth anymore."

"I wasn't-! I mean, I respect her, man. Who doesn't? I'd have to be nuts not to."

Xander shot him a look that said, You better.

Hearing them talk about how healthy Yvonne was, something flickered in Xander's eyes—an emotion he couldn't quite name. Maybe even... anticipation?

The feeling caught him off guard, making his breath hitch. Was he actually hoping for a baby with Yvonne?

Hell. Since when did he want that?

Shawn, nursing his wounded pride, muttered, "Man, Dan's like the ultimate scapegoat. If Yvonne thinks the baby's his, she'll want to murder him for sure."

After all, that old business with Black Gate and Nolan was still a thorn in Yvonne's side, and Dan was basically her arch-nemesis now. The idea of carrying her enemy's child? Yeah, she'd probably just put Dan six feet under.

But what if Yvonne realized the

truth-that the baby was Xandert

Shawn started sweating. If she

found out the whole story, anyone involved might be in deep trouble.

"Why won't she just believe you?" Shawn asked Xander, looking genuinely miserable.

Back when Xander tried to confess, Shawn, Ashley, and Lott had all braced themselves for a hurricane. They'd even considered writing their last wills, just in case.

But the storm never came. Yvonne simply refused to believe it was Xander.

At Shawn's question, Xander's face darkened further.

Why didn't she believe him? Because, in her mind, he'd never have the guts.

But all he said out loud was, "You sure she's pregnant?"

Shawn shrugged. "Why else would she be going after Dan right now?"