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?"

Susanna's fine. Mr. Miguel's

let out a sigh of relief. "Thank God. As long as they're both

frowned. "But what did Ivanna and Leanne want with

twice as ugly, rumor had it. If there was

cleared his throat. "They're... well, they're Miss

Stella blinked. "What?"

could hardly

Gate's current boss

kidding me. Like, actual

far as the public

Stella just stared, dumbfounded.

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

what the official story says. Whether he's a brother or an

shook her head. "This is... this is

tangled it got. Susanna's family tree was more

charge of Black Gate

for a

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

finally getting used to living in a world that always seemed on the verge of falling apart.

with the way things were going, Stella could see Susanna and her mom headed

interrupted her thoughts. "Things

Ronald raised an eyebrow.