Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Adelle was practically seething on the other end of the line, her voice tight with anger. "Ms. Quinn, I have every reason to believe you people aren't even trying to find Susanna."

Yvonne raised an eyebrow. "Oh, really?"

"You're all just teaming up to take down Black Gate, aren't you? That's what this is about-Black Gate's resources!" Adelle spat the words out, barely holding herself together.

Ever since the Murray family had started losing control over their key assets, it felt like everyone else was circling, ready to swoop in and split the spoils. Lacey, that snake... Maybe getting called back by Dan was all part of her plan. For all Adelle knew, Lacey had been scheming behind everyone's backs, manipulating Dan until he arranged to bring her home.

The more Adelle thought about it, the more convinced she became. Why else would it feel like Black Gate was being carved up on purpose? Like all of this had been orchestrated from the start. The situation had spiraled out of control so fast, with all these different factions barging in-it was chaos.

Yvonne listened to Adelle's outburst, then glanced at Xander, who was lounging nearby.

Adelle continued, her voice practically trembling with rage, "You guys are so cunning, you've been in cahoots with her all along, haven't you? What did she promise you?"

Now Adelle was convinced-Yvonne and the others had teamed up with Lacey. Yvonne snapped, "Look, are you giving her back or not?"

Adelle exploded, "She was never in our custody, and you know it!"

"Yeah? What exactly do I know?" Yvonne's patience was running thin. "So you're not handing her over, huh?"

haven't put enough pressure on Black Gate

Yvonne hung up,

Black Gate people?" she fumed to Xander. "No wonder Dan's

red wine, looking utterly

eyes. "Adelle claims Susanna isn't with them. She's obviously

Susanna wasn't with Black Gate, then where the hell was

ordered. Given that attitude, if

belongs to s

rising.

made her head

with Hull

that could follow Hull's temper with Black Gate

crosshairs. s

her own problem, either. If this blew up and

with Hull, that would be

family is absolutely shameless,"