Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath

Derek shot Hull a hard, cold glare-pure anger flashing in his eyes-but finally he

stood up.

He stalked toward the door, every inch of him radiating frost...

After just a couple steps, something seemed to occur to him. He turned back to Hull. "So, do we even need to hand over Susanna to them now?"

Susanna.

At first, this whole mess had started because of her. Or so it seemed. But now, after Derek's sharp analysis, it was clear: Susanna was just an excuse. The real target was Black Gate. Why should they bother with her anymore?

Hull just looked at him. "Do you think your daughter's safe right now?"

He didn't answer Derek's question directly.

Because, truth be told, this wasn't all about Susanna anyway. Was Hull saying they could forget about her? Even if her fate was still up in the air, was Derek- her own father-just going to let it slide?

Derek fell silent, jaw clenched.

Hull's voice was icy. "So if I say I don't want her, you just give up? She means that little to you?"

Derek didn't respond.

silence said

out a cold laugh. "Guess the rumors were true. You only care about the kids you had

women's children? To Derek, they might

grew

to need her, regardless. She's

hand her over, maybe just maybe we'll let Black Gate off

"maybe" was dripping

the first time, he realized what it meant to go

cold

it, Hull called after him: "Really

Derek paused.

Don't remember?

Hull's eyes-there was an odd sense of familiarity, like they'd crossed paths

we met

"No," Hull replied flatly.

"Are you

"We haven't met. But the grudge between us started long

Derek left.

the phone with Stella-her go-to lifeline. She always called

Hull and Barnaby

help himself. "How many kids