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.

Was she serious? If anyone should be anxious, it was

Stella was telling her... not

said gently, "Susie's a tough cookie. She'll be okay. I just know

Yvonne went quiet.

just trying to calm

softened. "Stella, I

no need to hurry," Stella

was obvious even over the phone, which made Stella feel even worse. She was almost bursting to

Ronald walked

Ronald's brow furrowed when he

strode over and gently took

lips

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

"No!" Yvonne snapped.

back out there and look,"

"Ronald-" Yvonne started.

he said, then ended

was speechless, jaw dropped in

looked down at her, his

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

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

Watching her little tantrum,

sat on