Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella was glaring daggers.

Xander flicked her forehead, his tone sharp yet oddly playful. "Have I been too nice to you lately?"

Stella's eyes widened in disbelief. Nice? Seriously? The concept of him being "nice" was laughable, and yet here he was, acting like he deserved a medal.

"Speak up," Xander demanded.

Stella pouted, her gaze filled with even more discontent.

The moment Xander saw that look in her eyes, he knew she was plotting to bite him again. Having grown up together, he hadn't realized just how sharp this little brat's teeth were.

The marks she'd left on his neck and the back of his hand hadn't even healed yet, and there was still an indent on his wrist.

"I said speak up! Are you deaf?" Xander snapped, his frustration simmering.

Her silent stare spoke volumes, though. It was as if her big, expressive eyes were calling him an idiot, mocking him without saying a word.

Oh, she had the nerve to curse him inwardly. If only she had the guts to say it out loud.

Xander's patience snapped. He thumped her head with the butt of his gun. "I said talk. Didn't you hear me?"

Finally, Stella couldn't hold it in anymore. "What do you want me to say?"

Honestly, what was there to talk about? He kept demanding she speak, but he never bothered to explain what he wanted.

Xander replied, "Didn't I tell you what to say?"

Stella rolled her eyes. Was he serious? Had he lost his mind?

Her big eyes darted around as she plotted her silent rebellion.

Xander noticed her scheming look and, in a fit of anger, grabbed her by the neck.

"What are you calling me in that little head of yours?"

Stella smirked. "I think you're a bit... dense?"

Xander was speechless. This girl had no fear of death, did she?

"You don't think I'll snap your neck right here?"

"Sure, but then you'll be buried with me," Stella retorted fearlessly.

Xander was more afraid of death than she'd ever be. He'd been running scared for years, hiding out in places like Patrina. She remembered Yvonne's advice from long ago: never show fear in the face of danger. Fear makes you lose your cool, and once you do, you're at your enemy's mercy.noveldrama

"Fine, fine, you're tough. Now tell me, did Bernie hand over the thing to your brother?"

He practically spat the word "brother," a pointed reminder of her connection to Ronald.

Stella shot him a fierce glare. "I have no clue."

Xander was skeptical. "You're practically glued to Ronald's side, and you don't know?" "I really don't."

Xander's grip tightened on her neck. If he could, he'd strangle her right now.

Just then, a knock on the door interrupted their standoff.

Stella seized the moment to yell, "Hel..."

Xander quickly clamped a hand over her mouth, his eyes threatening.

Stella struggled, but then a familiar voice called from outside, "It's me, Shawn."

Hearing Shawn's voice, Stella calmed down, and Xander removed his hand from her mouth, making a mock slap gesture.

Stella flinched, covering her face instinctively.

Xander didn't follow through with the hit. Instead, he yanked her off the door and opened it.

Shawn burst in, eyes wide in shock upon seeing Stella. "What the...? How is she here? Are you out of your mind, bringing her here?"

His first thought was how close he'd

come to losing his sanity. Then, he remembered they were on Ronald's turf, and Ronald was somewhere on this yacht.

Going anywhere with Xander felt like playing Russian roulette - you never knew when you'd lose it all. Xander shot him a glare. "Coward."

"I'm not as brave as you, risking it all. No way I can compete with that."

This was madness. Of all places to mess with Stella, why right under Ronald's nose? Last time at Misty they'd managed to whisk Stella away, but this time...

"So why are you still here, not running? What's keeping you?" Shawn asked.

Xander shot a cold look at Shawn. "Who says I have to run?"

"You're messing with the Quinn family's little princess. Are you planning to return her?"

Xander didn't answer.

"I'm telling you, it's either me or Stella. If she's here, I'm gone. If I'm here, she's not. We either leave together or not at all." Stella felt the absurdity of the situation. Why did that sound so weird? It was like something out of a cheesy love triangle. Before Xander could boot Shawn out, Stella jumped up, exclaiming, "I'm not getting off this yacht, dead or alive."

Xander was speechless.

Shawn was flabbergasted.

Both of them turned to stare at her.

Shawn gritted his teeth and stepped forward. You little troublemaker, we still haven't settled the score over the dog. You nearly broke my leg, and you owe me for that."