Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Xander lifted his head from his phone, noticing that Stella hadn't responded to him. She was staring intently at the TV, as if she'd discovered something groundbreaking. Curious, Xander got up and walked over to see what held her so captivated. It was a live broadcast of a boxing match on a cruise ship.

Nothing special, he thought.

"What are you watching?" he asked, perplexed as to why she seemed so engrossed.

Stella's eyes were fixed on a man sprawled out on the ring, bloodied but oddly familiar. Despite the mess, she could see a resemblance to someone she knew. He looked a lot like Yorick. No, he looked even more like Thane.

Xander noticed it too. "Isn't that your fiancé from Portis City? What's he doing, trying to be a punching bag?"

It was less of a legitimate boxing match and more a place for rich people to blow off steam. The poor guy on the floor clearly wasn't there to win.

Stella turned away, refusing to engage, but Xander wasn't one to be ignored. He grabbed her chin, forcing her to meet his eyes.

"Stella, you're getting bolder these days, aren't you?"

"Let go," Stella snapped, grabbing his wrist.

This time, Xander released her almost reflexively. He knew she could bite, and he preferred to keep a safe distance from her mouth. "Your phone's been ringing," Stella pointed out, breaking the tension.

Xander shot her an annoyed look before checking it.

It was from Shawn.

He answered, "Is he dead?"

"Bro, you're heartless," Shawn's voice came through, full of frustration. "You practically set Ronald on me. What's your game here?"

"Get to the point," Xander said, not in the mood for his theatrics.

"Ronald's using me as collateral for Stella," Shawn explained.

Xander raised an eyebrow. "And you think you're worth it?"

"You're impossible! Aren't we supposed to be family?" Shawn's anger was palpable.

Xander didn't bother replying. Instead, he took a drag from his cigarette, his gaze shifting to Stella. He considered blowing the smoke her way but decided against it when she shot him a warning look. Instead, he exhaled in another direction. "Plus, he's got Bernie," Shawn added.

Xander paused, taking in this new piece of information. He took another drag, then glanced at Stella, who was watching him with a knowing smile.

Too calm. Too mocking.

He didn't like it.noveldrama

"Deal," he finally said, then hung up.

Turning to Stella, Xander said, "Remember what I told you before you went to Portis City?"

Stella didn't answer, recalling that he had asked the same thing back in Patrina.

"You're my fiancée, and I'll come to get you," he had said.

Stella had understood then that

Xander intended to send her back

Ronald She still wasn't sure if item Lancelot had taken truly belonged to Xander. Cont belongs to

Lost in thought, she barely noticed when Xander grabbed her and led her out the door.

"Where are we going?" she asked.

"To find your brother," Xander led emphasizing the word

Stakel

to remind her of her ties to Ronald.

Xander knew where Ronald was and took her straight to a golf lounge.

As soon as they entered, Stella instinctively wanted to run to Ronald, but Xander held her b

the neck. "What's the rut

Ronald stood up, eyes dark with warning as he looked at Xander.

Xander pressed a gun to Stella's head.

"Shawn, come over here."

by

"Mr. Quinn, Mr. Quinn!" Bernie shouted, panicked.

Ronald ignored him, instead exchanging a look with Finley.

Understanding the silent command, Finley grabbed Shawn and Bernie, dragging them over to Xander.

Bernie cried out again, "Mr. Quinn, Mr. Quinn!" but it was no use.

Finley dumped the two at Xander's feet, then looked at Stella, clearly indicating a trade.

Xander glanced at Stella, then leaned in to whisper, "Star, we're not done. Remember that." Then he pushed Stella towards Finley, who caught her.

Without waiting, Xander pulled Shawn away along with Bernie, disappearing from the scene.

Before Finley could react, Ronald pulled Stella into his arms. She wrapped her arms around his lean waist. "Ronald," she murmured.

Feeling the dampness of her clothes, Ronald took off his own shirt and draped it over her.

"Let's get you to a room," he said softly, picking her up and carrying her away from the chaos.