Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Anyone who didn't know the security system in that mansion would have a better chance surviving a walk through a minefield-let alone trying to smuggle someone out alive.

So how the hell did Yvonne manage to pull it off this time?

Scar's jaw clenched when Dan asked, "How'd she do it?"

Scar hesitated, visibly uncomfortable. "Well... I mean..."

Dan pressed, "What?"

Scar finally said, "If she's the one who took her, then maybe... she did it out of spite? Because of you?"

That "maybe" carried a heavy load of uncertainty.

Dan's breath quickened. "You mean she's planning to hurt the matriarch's daughter just to set her against me?"

Scar shrugged grimly. "It's not out of the question."

Dan fell silent. The hospital room went so quiet you could hear a pin drop.

A cold, steely look flickered in Dan's eyes. When he looked up, the air around him seemed to freeze.

"She's ruthless. I'll give her that."

Now that she knew Dan ran Black Gate, she knew exactly how to make his enemies multiply.

If Lacey ever found out her daughter was caught in the crossfire because of Dan, she'd turn all her fury on him-and right now, her support was absolutely crucial.

Lacey was already focused on handling Dan Duff and Finch. If she decided to switch sides now, Dan would be in deep trouble.

God knows the chaos Lacey had already stirred up in Black Gate lately. Dan had seen it firsthand.

Scar's face darkened as well. "If Lacey turns on us now, we're screwed."

Dan closed his eyes for a moment.

Screwed, huh? Yvonne must really hate him-enough to use Lacey's hand to strike at him.

"Find her," Dan said, his voice cold as ice. "Find out where Yvonne took her."

Scar nodded quickly. "On it."

"And make it fast."

Whether or not Yvonne planned to hurt Susanna, Dan knew one thing: they had to find her before Lacey got wind of any of this. The feud between Lacey and Derek was his best shot at taking Finch down once and for all.

the

Finch...den boy since birth,

with Dan always in his shadow.

6e else in Dan's life had

been mere obstacles in Finch's path.

Derek had spent years clearing the way for Dan-but now, it all came down to

this.

Favoritism didn't even begin to

the way Dan Duff doted on

sence was night ap

They were both his sons, but

day.noveldrama

the difference was night and

Just as Dan finished giving orders, the door swung open. Xander walked in,

dragging someone along behind him.

Without a word, Xander dumped the battered man beside Dan's hospital bed like he was tossing out yesterday's trash.

Dan narrowed his eyes. "What's this, Mr. Schultz?"

The guy on the floor-one of Dan's own men. Scar's face went pale.

Xander grabbed a chair, sat down, and propped one boot right on the back of the injured man.

He lit a cigarette, exhaling smoke as he eyed Dan with a mocking grin. "Got desperate, huh? Tried to kill her?"

Dan's lips tightened. "What are you talking about?"

He looked dangerous-deadly serious. Clearly, Dan had no idea what Xander meant.

Xander took another drag on his cigarette, the smoke curling around him like a shroud. "Isn't this your guy?"

He nodded at the battered man on the floor.

Dan followed his gaze, putting the pieces together. He shot a furious look at Scar.

Scar stared at his shoes, not daring to meet Dan's eyes.

When Dan didn't answer, Xander pulled out his pistol and-BANG.

The man on the floor didn't even have time to cry out. He was dead before he hit the ground.

In the next instant, Xander swung his gun straight at Dan.