Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

"Looks like you haven't done a great job training him over the years. It's been ages, and he's still got no backbone," Ronald remarked with a dry chuckle.

Hull just sighed.

Barnaby couldn't help but twitch at the corners of his mouth. No backbone?

Wait a minute. Barnaby begged Ronald to take him in the first time they met. When Ronald refused, he had knelt right there before him. And despite that desperate plea, Ronald hadn't budged. Why would he want to keep someone without a spine around?

Then, just as Hull was walking by, he paused and said, "From now on, you stick with me."

That's how Barnaby managed to stay. And that's why Barnaby would risk his life for Hull every time since then.

Lowering his head, Barnaby mumbled, "I only wanted to convince you to let Ms. Tucker stay."

Hull gritted his teeth. "Get out."

Watching Barnaby's pathetic display, Hull couldn't reconcile this cowardly behavior with Barnaby's combat prowess. When facing enemies, he was a different person. How could he kneel like that? Was he even a man?

Barnaby pleaded, "Boss-"

"Out." Hull's voice was a low, threatening growl.

Barnaby wanted to say more, but seeing Hull's menacing look, he didn't dare utter another word.

feet and turned to Ronald, adding, "Mr. Quinn,

Hull roared, "Get out!"

longer he talked, the worse it

wished he could seal Barnaby's mouth

Barnaby finally took the hint, clamming up and slinking

the cross necklace that had suddenly appeared in Ronald's

for his skepticism, never cared

glanced at the necklace with a tender smile.

momentarily speechless. Who else but Stella

a good eye,"

by Stella, it was perfect. There was no doubt

then asked, "Is this the first gift

first time I saw her

things before, but he had never been there to see how she chose them. This time,

like the odd man out, feeling as if watching a

stairs, catching Snippets of a lively conversation between Stella and Susanna. To him,

wave of discontent washed over him. Susanna had been

making Stella worried sick. Yet now,

If

be like the Larkin family. Just watch. Imogen isn't one to mess with. If Yorick can't claim the Quarry