Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

He-he-he-

Wait a second. Wasn't he always the cold, untouchable type before?

Yeah, that look of his just one icy glance and you'd freeze on the spot. He was the guy who could silence a whole room just by walking in.

That was Susanna's impression of Hull.

Dangerous. Severe. Unapproachable.

He seemed like the kind of man who didn't have feelings. People around him either thought he had some health problem or was just completely uninterested in, well, anything romantic. Zero needs.

And yet, this guy-this absolutely straight-laced, all-business man—just leaned in close and whispered in her ear, "Make sure you're squeaky clean..."

Susanna sat at the kitchen table, stunned into silence for what felt like forever.

By the time she snapped out of it, Hull was already gone.

Her face was burning red-way redder than she'd ever let anyone see.

Of course, that's when Barnaby and Silas walked in. Just perfect timing.

Barnaby couldn't help himself. "Whoa, somebody's got spring fever over here—”

He didn't even get to finish before Silas smacked him hard on the back of the head. Loud enough for a sharp "whack!" to echo off the kitchen tiles.

Barnaby yelped. "What the hell was that for?"

"I told you, if you run your mouth this afternoon, there'll be consequences," Silas warned, giving him a look that could curdle milk.

Barnaby's mouth really didn't have a filter. Silas had threatened to hand him over to Dr. Finley the other day-no one knew what kind of wild punishments the doc would come up with. The boss, for some reason, hadn't signed off on it. Maybe only Hull had the patience for Barnaby. Anyone else would've snapped and "accidentally" lost him a dozen times by now.

Barnaby grumbled, "I didn't even say anything..."

His voice trailed off, sheepish and a little shaky.

Silas shot him another glare, sharp as a slap. "How long's it been since you had your mouth taped shut last time, huh?"

Barnaby flinched, his face clouding over. "Still can't feel half my jaw."

"Exactly," Silas replied, hands on his hips, "and you're still spouting nonsense."

He looked at Barnaby like he was a lost cause, shaking his head in exasperation.

Susanna, meanwhile, was still

reeling from Barnaby's "spring fever" comment her face getting ev redder. She joined Silas in glaring at him. noveldrama

Once Silas was done chewing Barnaby out, he turned to Susanna with a respectful nod. "Ma'am."

That word-ma'am-made Susanna's cheeks flare even hotter.

The night Hull had first...well, after that, Silas and Barnaby had been at the

house, grabbing something. They'd definitely heard what happened.

Now, everyone in Hull's crew called Susanna "ma'am." Everyone except Barnaby, of course, who insisted on calling her "Susie."

Honestly, Susanna often wanted to duct tape his mouth herself.

But she managed a polite "yeah" for Silas. Barnaby, though, got nothing but an icy stare.

Silas cleared his throat. "Boss says Barnaby's supposed to stay here with you this afternoon."

Susanna blinked. "What? Seriously?"

No, please no.

Barnaby's mouth was dangerous. He always said exactly the wrong thing, and his brain worked overtime, cooking up wild theories.

They'd only spent a few minutes

together before, and he'd already accused her of being a mole for è Black Gate. If they were left alone for a whole afternoon, who knew? Next time he'd probably decide she was an international spy.

Bottom line-Susanna did not want to be stuck with him.

Silas nodded. "Yeah, things are getting a little out of hand. Boss wants someone nearby."

Susanna protested, "But it's safe here..."

Last night, Hull's crew barely even

had to lift a finger. Just the security system alone bad put a couple

of

intruders hatway to the hospital. One of the twins, in fact, got pretty banged up.

Silas shrugged. "Still better to have someone by your side. Boss's orders."

And when it came to Hull's orders, there was no arguing.

Susanna slumped. Did it really have to be Barnaby? Of all people? Why not literally anyone else?