Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

“Listen, Stella,” Susanna said, her voice tinged with a frustration she could barely hide. "You sound way too chill about letting Hull handle this."

She let out a dramatic sigh and called out, "Star."

Stella, already halfway out the door, was distracted-keeping one eye on Xander and Yvonne's commotion outside, and the other ear on Susanna.

"What's up?" Stella replied, trying to multitask.

Susanna's pouty, put-upon tone snapped Stella's attention right back.

"Why the long face? You know Hull's solid reliable as they come. I mean, yeah, you've had some close calls with him, but you're still in one piece. If you ask me, that proves he knows what he's doing."

" 31

"So relax. If he's handling this, you'll see your mom sooner rather than later."

Susanna huffed. "He wants payment."

Stella froze. "Wait-what?"

"Yeah, payment," Susanna repeated, clearly annoyed. "It was Ronald who asked him to help me, but somehow I'm the one who has to pay up."

The word "payment" did a number on Stella's train of thought-her mind snapped away from Yvonne and straight back to Susanna.

"He wants money?" she asked, genuinely puzzled.

"I told him I'm broke. He said I could pay in other ways. And he was very clear- no IOUS."

"Other ways?" Stella echoed, her voice rising. "What 'other ways'? If you're out of cash, what else could you possibly have?"

Back when Susanna's mom, Lacey, was doing well, money wasn't a problem. But with everything that'd happened... well, Stella knew things were tight now. If Hull really was asking for money, she was already thinking about stepping in to cover for Susanna.

But Susanna shook her head. "He said he doesn't want cash."

Stella blinked. "Then what does he want?"

Susanna groaned. "He said he wants something else. And that he has enough money already."

That was just so Hull, honestly.

Stella frowned, trying to piece it together. "Your mom's company, maybe?"

"He called it a 'rinky-dink outfit.' He doesn't care about that."

Stella's eyes widened. "Then what the heck does he want?"

Susanna threw up her hands. "I have no idea!"

Stella stared at her. "Wait, you don't know either?"

"He told me to guess. Says when I figure it out, that's when I get to see my mom."

Stella groaned. "Seriously? He's making you play twenty questions?"

Susanna was clearly at her wit's end. "Star, can you get Mr. Quinn to ask Hull what he actually wants? Because I'm out of ideas and I really need to see my mom."

Stella ran a hand through her hair, stalling. "know, you always said you'd marry him someday. Maybe if do, you won't owe him

you

anything-family doesn't keep score, right?"

Susanna shot her a look. "Are you kidding me? What if he asks for a dowry or something? Just because I'm marrying a guy, doesn't mean I get off easy. Traditionally, aren't there gifts or whatever?"

Stella winced. "Fair point."

Susanna's voice turned a little bleak. "I'm flat broke, Star. I couldn't afford to marry him even if I wanted to."

Stella sighed. "Okay, okay, I'll ask

around, see if anyone can get a

straight answer out of Hull.

Honestly, why can't he just say what

he wants? Making you guess is just cruel."

Susanna groaned. "Please, hurry up. I'm counting on you, Star. You're all I've got right now."noveldrama

"I know, I know. Hang tight, I'll let you know as soon as I hear anything."