Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

He had a feeling Ronald was just full of crap this time.

What could possibly require his personal attention? Absolutely nothing, that's what. Not a single damn thing.

Stella: "Well, if that's all, I'm hanging up."

"Wait, don't! You can't just hang up on me!"

Stella: “Honestly, I'm a terrible person, so there's no way I'm going to put in a good word for you.”

"Okay, okay, I was wrong."

His tone suddenly softened, all pride gone in a split second.

You had to admit: when Finley admitted fault, he did it at record speed. The man could grovel with the best of them.

Stella: "And your dignity?"

"What dignity? I smell so bad I'm about to knock myself out."

Clearly, Finley was a bit of a neat freak.

Stella: “Well, from here, it doesn't sound like your mouth's gotten any cleaner.”

Finley: “Hey, what's that supposed to mean? Are you saying I talk too much? I haven't even said anything rude!"

Stella: ".

Well, that was true.noveldrama

Here he was, shipped off to the middle of the Mojave Desert, and the poor guy still hadn't figured out what he'd done wrong.

Man, when someone's beyond saving, they really go all out.

“Come on, help me out and say something nice to him-he said I have to stay here for two years!"

It hadn't even been that long, and already Finley was losing it.

If he couldn't get out of this godforsaken place soon, he'd really go crazy.

Stella: "Oh, just two years?"

“What's that supposed to mean?"

"It means you should just settle in for the long haul.”

Stella's voice was as cold as a Wisconsin winter.

She even added, "It's for your own good, really."

Given how many times Finley's mouth had made her worry Ronald would finally lose it and just shoot him, she was actually doing him a favor.

Finley, hearing this, whined, "So you're really not gonna help me out? I'm your Finley, after all!"

"I swear, this is for your own good."

Stella wasn't budging.

Finley was fuming on the other end of the line.

Two years. Two years! Was she out of her mind...?

Ronald wanted to make his life hell, and now Stella was just as bad. If no one was going to play nice, then fine-let's see how they like it.

Finley's mind whirred-then he struck.

"Star, listen to me—Ronald's a snake. He's been lying to you."

If he couldn't be happy, no one could.

Stella: "Hmm?”

Just then, Ronald walked in, catching Finley's words: "Star, I'm telling you-Ronald is bad news Don@get on his bad side, or be'll ship you out to the Mojave, too."

"And, get this—when you weren't in New York, he was getting all flirty with two other women."

Stella: "!!!"

Ronald's expression darkened.

Finley kept going, “Honestly, I bet he even slept with them. No way he's clean-don't let him touch you."

Stella: “.....”

Wow. Was he really stirring the pot this blatantly?

Ronald stepped forward and plucked the phone right out of Stella's hand.

Finley, realizing Stella had gone

quiet, said, “What, you don't believe

me? Star, you've got to trust me I'm just looking out for you."

“That Ronald's a real piece of work. I couldn't say it before, but my conscience wouldn't let me stay quiet any longer."

He even threw Stella's own words back at her "It's for your own good."

“Who knows, he might even have a secret kid out there somewhere.”

The more Finley talked, the more worked up he got.

If Ronald was going to make his life miserable, he might as well return the favor.

Stella glanced at Ronald. He'd put the call on speaker, and with everything Finley had just said... well, good

luck ever coming back.

Ronald's lips curled into a cold, dangerous smile. "My secret kid, huh?"

Finley: "!!!"

For a moment, dead silence.

Then Finley stammered, “Oh—Ronald, you're... uh...”

Wait-Stella, you traitor! Ronald was right there and she didn't even give him a hint? He was toast.

Ronald's soft chuckle sent chills down Finley's spine. “Enjoying your time out there, Finley?"