Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

If someone who didn't know Jaxon overheard this, they'd probably think he was legitimately crazy.

Stella took a sip of her oatmeal and nodded. "Yeah, he really needs to get some help. I swear, that guy's got more energy than sense. Never knows where to put it, either."

She rolled her eyes. "He'll move mountains when all he needs to do is open a door."

Ronald spent the morning at home with Stella, just hanging around. They didn't go anywhere.

Around ten, Idris stopped by. He greeted Ronald with a respectful nod. "Sir, it's done."

Before Ronald could say a word, Stella blurted out, "Wait, you actually sent Jaxon to a psychiatric hospital?"

Idris nodded. "Yes, ma'am."

Stella's eyes went wide. "Oh my God. That's brutal."

Idris turned to Ronald. "Mr. Miguel had some trouble last night."

"What kind of trouble?" Ronald asked.

Idris hesitated. "The Nelson twins-Leanne and Ivanna-the ones running Black Gate? They broke into Mr. Miguel's house last night, tried to take Miss Susanna."

Stella froze, spoon halfway to her mouth. "What?"

Ronald glanced at her, and Stella's heart skipped a beat. "Is Susie okay?"

Miguel's

out a sigh of relief. "Thank

did Ivanna and Leanne

reputation preceded them-mean as snakes and twice as ugly, rumor had it. If there was trouble, they were usually in the middle

throat. "They're... well, they're

Stella blinked. "What?"

could hardly

boss is also

kidding me. Like,

public knows,

Stella just stared, dumbfounded.

Susanna couldn't be that much older than her brother... and yet

he's a brother or an

"This is... this is

more tangled it got. Susanna's family tree was more like

in charge of Black Gate before?" Stella

After she left, her father took over for a while, then passed it to the current boss,"

more complicated than she'd guessed. She always thought Susanna just came

used to living in a world that always seemed

herself, sooner or later. And with the way things were

her thoughts. "Things might get

Ronald raised an eyebrow.