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

let out a sigh of relief. "Thank

Ivanna

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

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

Stella blinked. "What?"

She could

nodded. "Black Gate's current boss is also Miss

kidding me.

the public knows, yes," Idris

Stella just stared, dumbfounded.

they're all related, that explains a lot. Still, Susanna couldn't be that much older than her

shrugged. "That's what the official story says. Whether he's a

"This is... this is a

it got. Susanna's family tree

charge of Black

After she left, her father took over for a while, then passed it

together. Susanna's life was way more complicated than she'd guessed. She always thought Susanna just came from

idiot Susanna-hadn't even called her last night, despite all this chaos. Maybe she was finally getting used to living in a world that always seemed on the verge of falling apart. Maybe she was finally

She was going to have to stand up for herself, sooner or later. And with the way things were going, Stella could see Susanna and her mom headed for a

thoughts. "Things might get

Ronald raised an eyebrow.