Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

The call was picked up almost immediately. "Stella.”

"Hey, sis."

"You're calling about Susie, right? Listen, don't stress out. It's going to be fine."

Stella hesitated. "I-"

"Seriously, as long as I'm around, nothing's going to happen to Susie. You just focus on taking care of yourself and that baby, okay?"

Stella felt a rush of emotion. She wanted so badly to tell Yvonne the truth about Susanna already being in Hull's hands.

But she...

"Are you with Xander right now?"

Yvonne's voice was sharp. "Yeah, he's here. This Black Gate situation is absolute bullshit, I swear. We've been turning the place upside down and they still haven't handed her over! Do they have a death wish?"

Stella was silent.

Yvonne went on, "Don't worry, okay? I'm stepping it up. We're getting Susanna back, and it'll be in the next few days, tops."

Yvonne ranted about Black Gate, but her tone was softer when she spoke to Stella, trying to keep her calm.

Honestly, with everyone closing in, she couldn't imagine Black Gate holding out much longer.

Stella tried to sound reassuring. "Hey, you don't have to rush so much."

was taken aback.

should be anxious, it was Stella- Susanna

telling her... not to

a tough cookie. She'll be okay. I just

Yvonne went quiet.

was Stella just trying to calm

"Stella, I

need to hurry," Stella

feel even worse.

then, Ronald walked

caught Stella saying, "Sis" into the phone. Ronald's brow furrowed when he saw who she was

took the phone from her

lips trembling.

confirming it was Yvonne. Into the phone, he said, "You

"No!" Yvonne snapped.

there and look,"

"Ronald-" Yvonne started.

up now," he said, then ended the call without another

speechless, jaw dropped in

his

to Yvonne? What are you all up to, huh? If you ask me, Black Gate is already

perspective, Black Gate was basically falling apart. If they were planning to make a

Watching her little tantrum,

sat on