Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

Stella stared at Susanna, disbelief written all over her face. There was no way Susanna could have done something like this.

But seeing Susanna falling apart right before her, Stella knew she had to get to the bottom of it. There was no way around it this time.

The thing with Susanna was different from anything that had happened with Tegan. Tegan's business was a matter of respect. But this? It needed answers.

"Fine, fine. Stop crying for a second and tell me what happened. I need to understand the whole thing."

Between sobs, Susanna recounted the previous night's events in broken sentences. The gist was that she was supposed to change Hull's bandages and give him his meds. But with all the mixing of pills and pouring of water, she mixed up the two medicines.

"You mixed them up?” Stella asked, incredulously. "That doesn't sound so terrible. Just a mix-up with the meds."

"And then, Hull took the external ointment orally," Susanna explained, "It's the one for wounds. It's really strong."

When Susanna said it was "really strong," Stella understood just how potent that ointment was.

Stella's eyes widened in shock. She was speechless, just staring at Susanna. It was beyond careless; it was downright dumb.

Susanna wiped her tears, muttering, "I'm so stupid, aren't I?"

Stella nodded silently. Susanna was a mess, and Stella didn't have the heart to reproach her anymore. But she had to ask, "What happened next? There weren't any serious side effects, right?"

Considering Susanna was still there and breathing, Hull must have been okay. If anything had really gone wrong, Hull's people would have dealt with Susanna, no questions asked.

Susanna sniffled. "It turned out okay in the end, thank goodness. But I was scared to death. His people looked like they were ready to eat me alive."

Barnaby had already gone to find Hull. If he had been there, he might have said something like, "You think that was scary? You haven't even heard the worst of it."

Stella sighed, "Honestly, I'd be pretty mad too. He was just injured, and you nearly made it much worse."

"What do I do now?" Susanna asked, her eyes full of hope. "Can you get me out of here?"

Stella knew there had to be more to this story. "Is there something you're not telling me?"

"No, nothing," Susanna insisted, but Stella didn't buy it. She grew up with Ronald, after all. She knew when

She was hiding

Stella raised an eyebrow. "Really?"

"Yeah," Susanna replied, "Please, just talk to him. I want out. I can't stay here another second."

Stella shook her head, sensing there was more beneath the surface. "Where is he?"

"He's in his room."

"Okay, let's go," Stella said, ready to

face whatever awaited. She knew

entering Hull's private spacenoveldrama

one

wasn't wise. Ronald would have her

head if he found out.

Susanna stepped back. "You go."

"Come on. Don't be like that..."

"Barnaby's there too. I'm not going."

Barnaby was so intimidating. His intelligence might not be his strong suit, but he

made up for it with sheer menace.