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

of relief. "Thank

did Ivanna and Leanne want

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

"They're... well,

Stella blinked. "What?"

could

"Black Gate's current boss

dropped. "You're kidding me.

public knows, yes,"

Stella just stared, dumbfounded.

Susanna couldn't be

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

shook her head. "This

it got.

who was in charge of Black Gate before?" Stella

over for a while, then passed it to the

life was way more complicated than she'd guessed. She always thought Susanna just came from your run-of-the-mill

used to living in a world that always seemed on the verge

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

her thoughts. "Things might get

Ronald raised an eyebrow.