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?

"Hull's just trying to make Susanna feel better. Trust me, your sister's even scarier when she thinks she's

Hull out

out. And that part of town isn't exactly safe,

little payback, but going after him on his home turf? One wrong

hair. "Don't

"Yeah, but Xander's not exactly Mr.

was true. In her mind, Xander was a

three years ago—if Xander hadn't messed things up,

a little resentful toward

else. He just pulled

icy distance had been between them before? Gone in

...

Susanna zoned out on the couch, while Barnaby lounged next

He strode over and

But Barnaby was quick-almost

As Hull's

he grabbed Susanna

landing both of them safely across the room. .

Susanna just stared, dumbfounded.

stopped in

always thought Barnaby was a bit of a doofus had to admit he was a