Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

"So what about Derek? Whose side is he on?"

God, what a mess. "Wait, my mom-she was found by the current leader?"

Hull nodded. "Yeah."

So this was even more complicated than Susanna had thought.

Her mind was spinning in circles. She didn't know much about the Black Gate, honestly. It was all tangled up,

a real trainwreck, but right now she only had one thought:

She needed to help her mom. The idea that those people were pushing her mom around... It made Susanna's chest ache.

"What's the name of the current Black Gate leader again?" she asked.

Things had been so hectic lately, she couldn't keep track of what Hull had told her about the new boss. All she really knew was that the current leader was bad news for her mom.

At her question, Hull gave her a strange, almost amused look.

"There's a story there, actually."

Susanna's eyes widened. "A story?"

Hull shrugged. "Nobody's really known who's been running things these past few years. But I've picked up some clues-seems like it's Dan."

Black Gate was getting bigger and more dangerous by the day. They had to be careful.

“But then again..... maybe not," Hull said, frowning. "None of the old bosses ever hid their faces like this. Makes you wonder what's really going on."

Susanna frowned. "So are you saying the new boss is just a puppet?”

Hull shook his head. "No way. Your dad, Derek, doesn't have it in him to control a puppet like that."

Whoever was in charge now, everyone had seen what they could do.

As soon as Derek's name came up, Susanna's face darkened. “He's not my father.”

Father? She'd never call that man her dad.

Hull saw her expression shift and let out a quiet laugh. He reached out and felt her forehead. "Still a bit warm. Let's get you home."

The wind outside was biting. She really didn't need to be out in it.

Susanna nodded obediently and followed him. But after a few steps, she winced.

"Ow-my leg hurts."

Hull raised an eyebrow. “What's wrong?”

"My leg... it's getting worse." She'd

already been hurting, and after

standing around for hours, novel

was throbbing.

Hull sighed. “You're a handful." But even as he said it, he scooped her up.

She was tiny—nothing like Stella, who was all legs. In Hull's arms, Susanna felt like a little kid.

He hefted her easily. “Haven't I been feeding you?"

"Huh?"

"You weigh about as much as a Thanksgiving turkey."

Susanna stared at him. "Did you just compare me to a turkey?"

She muttered, haven't really been eating much, you know.” Ever since she'd ended up with Hull, things had been chaotic-first because she couldn't cook, and then even after the housekeeper showed up she was still barely eating.

Hull looked down at her and grinned. “You sound kinda grumpy about that.”

She huffed, “I'm just telling the truth. I've barely had a proper meal.”

Honestly, it was the first time in years she'd been this hungry.

Hull seemed to enjoy her complaining, the corners of his mouth curling up in amusement.

When they got inside the house, he carried her straight to the bedroom. “Did you put on the medicine at lunch?"

The doctor had warned her fever

was from the injury. Such a delicate thing just a sprain and she was down for the count.

At the mention of putting on the medicine, Susanna's cheeks flamed red.

Hull noticed. "What's got you blushing?"

Susanna didn't answer.

Honestly, how could she not? The way he talked—like stuff like that was just normal.noveldrama

Thinking about the way their "arrangement” had started, Susanna's eyes stung and her nose turned pink, too.