Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Stella didn't say a word.

Honestly, it was true. But... why did it sound like Dan was just getting blamed for everything?

Wait a sec-now that she thought about it, Dan really had been getting the short end of the stick lately.

Like that thing with Xander sneaking into her sister's room-her sister wouldn't believe anything else, insisted it was Dan, and ended up smacking him for it.

Now there was the whole Susanna mess. Of course, her sister pinned that on Dan too, even going as far as storming Dan's place.

This guy was getting blamed for everything. It was almost tragic-like a modern- day Job or something.

Stella was lost in thought when Ronald gently pinched her cheek. "Hey, what's got you so spaced out?"

She shrugged. "I was just thinking... Dan's kinda like the ultimate scapegoat, huh? The poor guy."

Seriously. No matter what went wrong these days, if Yvonne was upset, she'd just dump it on Dan.

It was like he had a target on his back.

Ronald chuckled. "Yeah, he really does get the raw deal."

"And what about Hull? He just sits back and lets it happen!" Stella huffed. "My sister's been running all over The Black Gate looking for Susanna, practically losing her mind. Hull could at least say something, right?"

Even if Yvonne wanted to pick a fight with Dan, couldn't Hull at least pretend not to know what was going on?

to make Susanna feel better. Trust me, your sister's even scarier

out a

be freaking out. And

going after him on his home turf? One wrong move and who knew

hair. "Don't worry.

but Xander's not exactly

mind,

years ago—if Xander hadn't messed things up, maybe she and Ronald wouldn't have lost

a little resentful

say anything else. He just pulled her close and

distance had been between

...

on the couch, while Barnaby lounged next

over and aimed a swift kick

But Barnaby was quick-almost

Hull's

grabbed Susanna

out of the way, landing both of them safely across the room.

Susanna just stared, dumbfounded.

in

always thought Barnaby was a bit of a doofus had to admit he was a lot quicker than she'd ever giver him credit for.