Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

That man wanted to hide in the shadows-was it because there was a woman he'd give anything to protect?

And for her sake, he'd put his own mother on the front lines?

"When your mother first took over Black Gate, she had no idea that woman even existed."

"Back then, her time in charge was hell-constant drama, endless conflict. She got hurt, more than once. The worst time, she almost lost you, Susanna. That's when she found out about the other woman."

Susanna listened in silence.

She tried to make sense of this tangled mess.

Learning her own father was the son of Black Gate's current boss was already enough to make her head spin.

But hearing about what her mother went through her eyes went wide, her heart pounding so hard it hurt to breathe.

It was impossible to imagine the kind of despair her mother must have felt.

"So... after that, my mom just took me and left?" she whispered.

Hull nodded. "Yeah. And she didn't leave empty-handed. She took the most important part of Black Gate's fortune with her."

"Part of the fortune" meant that half of the map.

Hull went on, "She's been living in Portis City all these years. Black Gate's people

have never stopped looking for her."

Of course they hadn't.

priceless-why would they ever stop

voice barely a

your father wants that half of the map back from your

choosing his

got some loyal old-timers with her, and I think she's trying to start something of her own. This

something of

said everything-the feud had reached

felt like her chest was being

loyalties and grudges here is too complicated.

that man? What's

probably doesn't even know you exist. Besides, he's crazy about his

Susanna fell silent.

her. But if he didn't, how could he have three kids with that

eyes, her heart

there really no way I can see my

of her mother facing all this alone made Susanna's heart

in her life, she felt

by the pain of imagining her

won't see you," Hull said

after a second, "She doesn't want your father

Lacey Tucker's stubborn streak. She'd do anything to

her eyes; anger

a daughter desperate to protect

Meanwhile...

tracked down

She'd before

asy