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.

water glass on the nightstand, his every movement exuding an intimidating aura that brooked

her mouth to

watching the exchange, understood the situation

quickly stepped in. "Hey, Princess Stella, let's talk it

to do with the Black

two different things." Barnaby gently but firmly guided Stella out

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

in Portis City, Susanna had called three times daily, clearly terrified. Leaving her here with Hull was asking for trouble, Stella

would make mistakes. Right now, Susanna could

didn't work on Hull's crew. Barnaby was blunt. "You

She shook off Barnaby's hand and

Vl

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

couldn't reason with Barnaby.

she turned, Barnaby

won't change anything. It is his

frantic. "How long until you

"That's hard to say."

grew. Hearing 'hard to say' made her

you clearly, I'm