Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

But then a low, rough voice full of promise sounded right by her ear. "Don't move."

It was Hull.

His warm breath brushed against her neck, sending a shiver down her spine that was half nerves, half...something else.

"Raise it up a little," he murmured.

"Like this?" Susanna asked, her voice shaky.

"Yeah. Now, pull the trigger."

She did as he said. This time, the bullet hit dead center.

Before Hull showed up, she'd been practicing at the shooting range with Barnaby for an hour already. At first, she could barely bring herself to even fire the gun. Then, her arms started aching from the recoil.

Funny thing was, Susanna had been more emotional than ever lately, especially whenever Hull was around. But today, she stuck with it. Even though her hands were numb and her arms ached, she didn't quit.

So much had hit her, all at once-from finding out the truth about her own life, to nearly getting kidnapped the night before. Every step had come out of nowhere, and she knew time wasn't on her side.

Hull's hand tightened reassuringly on her waist as he glanced at the fresh hole in the center of the target. His eyes looked darker than ever. "What's got you out here practicing today? Last night?"

She nodded. "And...my mom. What happened to her, it's just the beginning."

on her own was

had happened all those years ago wasn't over. Not even close. Susanna knew things

to wallow. She adapted fast. This

up for herself-wasn't really that sudden after

softly, "You don't have to do

course, that as his

you'll protect me?" she shot back, arching a

"You

not that," she

of chaos? Protected, cared for, as if nothing bad could ever touch her.

if she hadn't learned how to defend herself, she

survived half of what

of the

her future wasn't going to be all sunshine and apple pie.

to become

forehead.

remembered how much she'd cried before-God, that had been

stop. But here

already changing.

he admitted to himself. It just...felt