Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

As soon as Dan walked in, Finch's eyes were blazing with anger.

But with Derek's imposing presence looming over the room, Finch managed to bite his tongue and stay quiet-at least for the moment.

Dan sauntered over to the desk, looking as laid-back as ever, pulled out a chair, and flopped down. Not an ounce of worry on his face he didn't look like someone who'd just suffered a major loss.

Watching Dan act so nonchalant, Finch was all but convinced Susanna was in his hands.

"Dad," Finch finally ground out, shooting a sharp look at Derek.

Finch had spent the better part of the last hour badmouthing Dan to their father before Dan even showed up. After all, he and his mother had lost the most in this whole mess-especially his mother's assets.

Meanwhile, Dan's only real loss was Pine Ridge, which Xander had seized, but other than that, he seemed to be coming out of this pretty much unscathed. Finch and his mom, though? This whole thing was driving them insane.

In the current state of Black Gate, it seemed like whoever lost the least had the highest chance of having Susanna.

Derek raised a hand, shutting Finch up before he could keep ranting.

He turned to Dan, eyes narrowing, voice cold and sharp.

shrugged, "If you called me here to hear the same old

my time. She's not

the one who brought that woman back-she slipped out

"that woman," he meant Lacey. The "brat"?

shot Derek a sideways grin, voice dripping with sarcasm. "Brat,

that

tightened under

Finch off mid-sentence. Finch tried again. "Dad! Dan's barely lost anything-just Pine

so doesn't that make you and your mom the prime suspects for

Finch bristled. "You-"

you think everyone's been coming after you

Finch and Adelle had practically been plucked

family was

those two had it

all the shouting kle slammed his fist on the desk, making everything rattle. "Enough! Both of you, zip i belongs

them in to solve problems, not to give him