Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

At that moment, Hull glanced over at her and spoke up, his words cutting through the air like a cold blade. "You're not taking her with you."

His voice was firm, leaving no room for argument.

Stella's lips twitched. "Hull, this is..."

"She might be connected to Black Gate."

Stella's mind raced. The name struck her like a punch to the gut.

Two years ago, Xander had some dealings with them from Black Gate. It was precisely because of those connections that she feared it would create messy problems for Ronald. She had compromised then, choosing to follow Xander's advice.

Upon hearing Hull mention it again, Stella's face visibly paled.

But when it came to Susanna...

She shook her head defiantly. "No, she can't be related to them."

Hull's eyes were cold as ice. "Whether she is or not, we'll know once we investigate."

Stella's shock was palpable.

the nightstand, his

opened her mouth to argue

the exchange, understood the situation all too

quickly stepped in. "Hey, Princess Stella, let's talk it out. Mr. Miguel's tired and

to do with

things." Barnaby gently

to back down. "I'm taking her with me.

called three times daily, clearly terrified. Leaving her

spinning, they would make mistakes. Right now, Susanna could do

resolve didn't work on Hull's crew. Barnaby was

Stella's determination. She shook off

Vl

"I'm not talking to you. I'm

couldn't reason with Barnaby. It

she turned, Barnaby

It is his decision. Once we've sorted

frantic. "How long until you find

"That's hard to say."

'hard to say' made her

clearly, I'm