Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 814

Derek’s face was stormy—like a thundercloud about to burst.

Meanwhile, Dan wore a smug, almost gleeful grin. “Especially, Mr. Miguel.”

“Bet you didn’t see that coming, huh? Lacey’s daughter is the apple of his eye. Of all the people you could mess with, you just had to mess with Hull’s favorite.”

That is, Ronald’s sharpest blade.

Being his woman? Now, that’s the kind of trouble that could bring the whole house down…

Derek glared. “What are you getting at?”

“I’m saying, don’t try to pin your dirty work on me. Yvonne already turned my place upside down looking for answers, so…”

So what?

The instant their eyes met, the air crackled with tension.

Dan chuckled lightly. “So, your mud’s not gonna stick to me this time.”

Derek’s expression darkened. “I didn’t take her.”

“Tell that to Mr. Miguel. Whether he believes you or not… Well, I don’t think you’ve got what it takes to convince him.”

Derek fell silent.

A thick vein pulsed on his forehead as he clenched his jaw.

When he heard Hull was coming to Litamark in person, he hadn’t known the reason. But after Yvonne spread the word, he understood—Black Gate was in deep trouble now.

Dan stood up.

He leaned over the desk, looming over Derek, who sat in the executive chair.

“Was it your guy? Or Finch’s?” Dan asked, low and direct.

Who took Susanna? No matter whose side did it, Dan thought grimly, he was the one taking the heat for Yvonne—again.

And this time, he planned to settle the score.

Derek snapped, “Shut your mouth.”

But Derek’s heart was pounding. “It really wasn’t your people?”

A moment ago, blinded by rage, he’d been sure Dan’s crew snatched Susanna—and that Dan was ready to throw Black Gate under the bus, stirring up every rival gang in the city. That would be a disaster.

But now, looking at Dan’s face, it was obvious he wasn’t behind it…

Then who? Was it really Finch’s people?

Derek’s face shifted, growing darker and darker. Dan pressed on, “Or maybe Adelle’s people?”

Adelle.

That’s how Derek now referred to the woman who’d raised Dan for three years.

Derek’s face twisted in anger. “She raised you for three years, and you’d suspect her?”

“Oh, right. She’s the perfect little saint in your eyes, couldn’t even hurt a fly, huh?”

She was stressed and frustrated—her mom was missing, and she couldn’t focus on anything else.

Hull coaxed, “Come on, have something to eat. Be good.”

Susanna shook her head. “Not hungry.”

“If you don’t eat, how are you going to have the strength to go back and settle the score?”

She hesitated. She had to find her mom, had to get justice.

In one night, her fate was sealed—she and Black Gate were on opposite sides now, and there was no running away.

Not that she would run.

Hull scooped up a spoonful of creamy chicken soup and held it to her lips. “Open up.”

Susanna really had no appetite.

But with Hull’s gentle, yet commanding tone, she finally opened her mouth and let him feed her.

She wriggled. “Let me sit by myself, okay?”

What was his deal? Why did he have to hold her like this?

She squirmed and fidgeted.

Hull’s expression darkened. “Quit wriggling.”