Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Susanna rubbed her chilly hands together, nerves fluttering in her chest as she stepped into Hull's room.

Stella had warned her to keep her distance from Hull these past few days— honestly, Susanna had hardly needed the advice. It seemed like every time she was in the same room with him, disaster struck.

Not just any disasters, either. No, she was a magnet for the most embarrassing, mortifying mishaps imaginable around this man. And now, after what had just happened-plus everything Silas had said—Susanna knew she had to be extra

careful.

"Mr. Miguel, are you alright?" she asked, hovering by the bed with the kind of caution you'd use approaching a grumpy bear.

Hull glanced up, his stare sharp as ever. "What do you think?"

Susanna gulped. Definitely not alright.

He still had bruises from last time. Honestly, if her clumsiness had done any more damage, she'd probably have sent him straight to meet his maker.

"I'm so sorry, I didn't mean to," she blurted out. She'd said those words so many times recently, she was starting to think they should be embroidered on her shirt. Since meeting Hull, she'd apologized more than she had her entire life.

Hull didn't reply. Instead, he said, "Get me a glass of water."

Susanna hesitated for half a second.

"What? Don't want to? Planning to stand around doing nothing?"

"No, no, I'll get it right away!" she squeaked, darting out of the room before he could say anything else. After the trouble she'd caused, she wasn't about to argue or act lazy.

She returned less than five minutes later, careful not to spill the water as she handed it over. "Here you go, Mr. Miguel."

She sounded so obedient, even she almost didn't recognize herself.

Hull eyed her, the corners of his mouth twitching in what might've been amusement. "Peel me an apple."

"Of course!" She rushed off to the little kitchenette, grabbing a Granny Smith and the peeler. If Stella could see her now, she'd never believe how hard Susanna was working.

Hull only had to ask and she jumped to it—no complaints, no hesitation.

Soon enough, she brought the neat

Bs of ences back on a plate, s e you go." Content beck?

one, and offered it to

Hull took a bite, juice running down his chin. "Good apple," he said around a mouthful.

"Is it?" She couldn't help but ask, watching him anxiously.

He nodded. "Susanna."

"Yes?"

"How are you settling in, being here with me all this time?"

Susanna froze. Settle in? Was he

Every day with Hull felt I

walking a tightrope over

Falls-with a hurricaneset

She took a steadying breath. “I'm...trying my best to adjust."

Ever since she'd found out her mother had once run Black Gate this had become her new normal. She didn't think she'd ever be comfortable with it, but she was slowly learning to cope.

Hull nodded, apparently satisfied. "Trying is good enough."

Susanna stared at her shoes, unsure how to respond. Then she remembered-

she still needed to ask what he wanted for payment.

She hesitated for a second, thinking about all the advice Stella had given her over

the phone. Was it too blunt to just ask?

Well, she couldn't think of another way.noveldrama

She looked up, cheeks pink. "So...what exactly do you want as payment?"

As soon as the words left her mouth, she winced. Too direct? Maybe. But she'd already said it—no turning back now.