Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

After the way Susanna had just roasted them, Stella was pretty sure the rumors about those twins were true-they really were as hideous as everyone said.

But more importantly, Susanna seemed... okay. Her mood wasn't half bad, all things considered.

At least she wasn't a sobbing mess again like she'd been last night.

"So, what's your plan now?" Stella asked, unable to help herself. Susanna looked like she'd finally pulled herself together, and Stella was honestly curious.

Susanna sighed, "For now? I think I'll just stay out of my mom's way. No sense in adding to her problems."

"Wait, what?" Stella blinked. That was a 180. Wasn't she just ranting about wanting to see her mom? Now she's all about keeping her distance? The mental gymnastics here were giving Stella whiplash.

Susanna shrugged. "Mom's about to break off from the old guard at Black Gate and start her own thing."

Stella's jaw dropped. "Seriously? She's that hardcore?" Black Gate was about to get rocked.

Lacey had always been a self-made woman-that much Stella knew. Gorgeous, sure, but she never used her looks to get ahead. She'd carved out her own little empire in Portis City, all on her own grit and brains.

"But this is Black Gate we're talking about," Stella said, the words coming out with a note of worry. Everyone knew Black Gate-one of those places even Ronald,

with all his shady business, wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.

Susanna nodded. "Yeah. It's either going to be her or Black Gate. No room for both."

Stella's eyes went wide.

Susanna went on, "You know why those creepy twins came after me themselves, right? They wanted to use me as leverage against Mom."noveldrama

For a moment, Susanna looked like she finally saw how all the puzzle pieces fit together. Sure, she'd been terrified lately, but she was never stupid. Hanging around Hull, she'd probably picked up more info than anyone realized.

Ever since Lacey got dragged away by Black Gate's people, Susanna had probably obsessed over every scrap of info she could get her hands on.

Stella was quiet.

Susanna continued, "Honestly, if Mom's got them this desperate, I'm not even worried anymore."

Stella hesitated. "Yeah... I guess you're right."

If Black Gate's top dogs had to send those weird twins personally, Lacey must be making serious waves in their world. Maybe at first they just wanted her back to force her hand over that missing half of the treasure map, but by now? Lacey must have turned Black Gate upside down.

Susanna grinned. "At this point, Black Gate's learning the hard way: inviting Mom

in was easy, but getting her out? Good luck."

Stella laughed. "You've got a point."

She couldn't help but feel a little

awed by Lacey. Black Gate had

brought her back thinking they'd get what they wanted, but now they

couldn't even control here,

they were coming after

Susanna-Lacey's only daughter-as a last-ditch threat.

Stella said, "Honestly, the best thing you can do now is take care of yourself. Don't

let them get to you. That's the biggest support you can give your mom."

"Yeah. I know," Susanna replied softly.

They chatted a while longer before hanging up. Susanna made it clear-she wasn't heading to Black Gate to look for her mom. She had other plans.

Ronald came upstairs just as Stella was hanging up. He wrapped his arms around her from behind.

"Talking to Susanna?" he murmured.

"Yeah."

"What'd she say?" His voice was gentle, calm as ever. Stella had heard it her

whole life, but it still made her heart flutter.

"She said those twin sisters running Black Gate now? Ugly as sin.”

Ronald just stared at her.

Stella giggled, "She even joked she's not sure they're really that side chick's kids: I mean, have you seen their dad? The old Black Gate

boss total silver fox when get

was

younger. And their mom? Had to be a real stunner to catch his eye. So what happened with the twins?"

Ronald kept quiet, so Stella pouted. "What, you think I gossip too much?"

She turned in his arms, snuggling into him with a huff. “Come on, it's not like I'm the only one."