Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

As soon as Derek left Dan's room, word of it somehow made its way right to Hull.

When Silas passed the details he'd dug up over to Hull, Hull just snorted and grinned. "Told you so. Dan's the current head honcho of the Black Gate. Knew it."

They'd all suspected it for a while, just never had real proof. Now, it was pretty much settled-Dan was Black Gate Derek's son.

Still, nobody could say what exactly went down with Black Gate all those years ago. The whole thing was a mess-too many secrets, too many missing pieces. Susanna, hearing Hull's certainty, went pale.

Hull caught her expression and frowned. "What's with the long face?"

Susanna shot him a desperate look. "Star promised Yvonne would help me train for a month. I need her help!"

She really hated to admit her ties to the Murray family men, but blood is blood— you can't change that.

And now Dan, that jerk, had treated Yvonne like garbage.

Susanna genuinely worried Yvonne would take it all out on her.

Hull, catching on, blinked. "You're training with Yvonne? You sure about that?"

"Yeah, I'm sure."

But now? Now she wasn't so sure.

She wanted to train with Yvonne, but if Yvonne found out Dan-the shadowy leader of Black Gate-was her half-brother...

Oh, God. This was a disaster.

Hull shook his head. “You've got a fever just from standing out in the wind all afternoon. If you end up with Yvonne after this, you're lucky if you make it out alive."

Susanna's eyes went wide. She hadn't been worried before. But now...

Hull sighed. "Princess Yvonne is notorious for dragging innocent bystanders into the mess. You might want to rethink this plan."

It wasn't like Yvonne didn't have a reputation. Skye had hacked her stuff and

Finley got a couple of beatings for it collateral damage, plain and simple.noveldrama

Susanna's face darkened even more. Collateral damage? So anyone with even a vague connection was in for a rough time, huh?

She could only hope Yvonne would go easy on her for Star's sake.

She really was the unlucky one here-she'd done nothing, didn't even know Dan's face. She'd just overheard his voice earlier.

If that was enough to get her caught up in this mess, she was the unluckiest person alive.

Wait, what was she even thinking? No way she could still train with Yvonne now. That was basically a death wish.

Better call Star and tell her she was out.

...

Meanwhile, far away in Yoreland, Yvonne was fuming.

Skye, after endless pestering, finally caved and handed something back to her. Well... sort of.

Yvonne was already furious that Stella had spilled the beans about Dan being the Black Gate boss.

het

Now, seeing the little trinket Skye returned, she was about ready to explode. "You stole so much from me and all you're giving backis

this?"

"I only picked up this one thing," Skye said, totally shameless.

Yvonne glared. Picked up? From her room? That was definitely stealing.

Skye shrugged at Yvonne's unimpressed look. "Well, do you want it or not? If not, I'll just keep it."

Whatever-she'd just found it, after all.

Yvonne demanded, through gritted teeth, "And the rest of my stuff?"

"Spent it all," Skye replied breezily.

"Spent it? On what? You could've fed a whole village for years with what you took from me!"

Yvonne nearly keeled over with rage.

Skye just grinned. "Oh, like you don't know how I spend money."

Yvonne's glare intensified.

Skye rolled her eyes. "Alright, look, know why you're really chasing me down. You're just feeling guilty about Xander and trying to avoid him, right?"

"You're not really mad at me, just trying to distract yourself,"

, shoving the trinket

hand.

Yvonne scowled, but stuffed the thing in her purse anyway.

When Xander's name came up, Yvonne took a swig of whiskey. "You really think

Xander would ever try something like that with me?"

Xander had called her himself, but she still didn't believe he'd ever cross that line. He just wasn't that type of guy.

Skye shook her head. "Not a chance."

Yvonne smirked, but inside, she hoped Skye was right.