Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

After the way Susanna had just roasted them, Stella was pretty sure the rumors about those twins were true-they really were as hideous as everyone said.

But more importantly, Susanna seemed... okay. Her mood wasn't half bad, all things considered.

At least she wasn't a sobbing mess again like she'd been last night.

"So, what's your plan now?" Stella asked, unable to help herself. Susanna looked like she'd finally pulled herself together, and Stella was honestly curious.

Susanna sighed, "For now? I think I'll just stay out of my mom's way. No sense in adding to her problems."

"Wait, what?" Stella blinked. That was a 180. Wasn't she just ranting about wanting to see her mom? Now she's all about keeping her distance? The mental gymnastics here were giving Stella whiplash.

Susanna shrugged. "Mom's about to break off from the old guard at Black Gate and start her own thing."

Stella's jaw dropped. "Seriously? She's that hardcore?" Black Gate was about to get rocked.

Lacey had always been a self-made woman-that much Stella knew. Gorgeous, sure, but she never used her looks to get ahead. She'd carved out her own little empire in Portis City, all on her own grit and brains.

"But this is Black Gate we're talking about," Stella said, the words coming out with a note of worry. Everyone knew Black Gate-one of those places even Ronald,

with all his shady business, wouldn't touch with a ten-foot pole.

Susanna nodded. "Yeah. It's either going to be her or Black Gate. No room for both."

Stella's eyes went wide.

came after me themselves, right? They wanted to use me as

pieces fit together. Sure, she'd been terrified lately, but she was never stupid. Hanging around Hull, she'd probably

dragged away by Black Gate's people, Susanna had probably obsessed over every scrap of info

Stella was quiet.

if Mom's got them this desperate, I'm not even worried

I guess

be making serious waves in their world. Maybe at first they just wanted her back to force her hand over that missing half of the treasure map, but by now? Lacey must have turned Black

grinned. "At this point, Black Gate's learning the

getting her out? Good

laughed. "You've got a

couldn't help but feel a

Lacey.

back thinking they'd get

couldn't even control here,

they were coming after

daughter-as a last-ditch

can do now is take care of yourself.

you. That's the

I know," Susanna

while longer before hanging up. Susanna made it clear-she wasn't heading to Black Gate to look

just as Stella was hanging up. He wrapped