Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

"Ow, Stella, what are you, a dog?" Xander yelped, caught off guard as Stella actually bit him.

He'd been wary the whole way back, knowing she might take a nip at him. But this time, Stella had been planning it for a while and managed to bite off a piece of flesh. When she spit the mouthful onto the grass, the butler just stood there, speechless. Xander glanced from the bloody mess on the ground to his bleeding wrist, utterly stunned. "Stella," he fumed, "I'm gonna knock every single one of your teeth out."

If he didn't make her regret that bite, he'd feel less of a man. Just then, his phone buzzed, interrupting his thoughts.

It was Ronald.

On their way back, to avoid Ronald's tracking, they'd turned off anything with a signal, including their phones. That had been the only reason they managed to escape.

The moment he switched the phone on, Ronald was calling. Xander thought about how much Ronald cared for Stella and all their intimacy in Portis City. His anger flared up again, like a lion whose pride had been threatened.

He shot Stella a glare before answering, "Hey, Ronald, have you thought things over? Is your sister really worth it?"

"If she loses even a hair, Xander, I'll make sure Regina pays," Ronald warned.

Xander was at a loss for words. He wasn't sure about her hair, but he was definitely missing some skin here.

"Threaten me with Regina?" Xander scoffed. "Listen, Ronald, Regina has no hold over me now."

Stella raised an eyebrow at Xander. What was he talking about? That was his own sister. Seemed like there were more than just one crazy family around here.

"My patience is wearing thin, Bro Ronald. For old times' sake, cut me some slack," Xander pushed. "You've been on my tail for two years, making my life hell. If you keep this up, I'll deal with Stella right now."

As Xander's frustration grew, he became almost frantic.

Stella watched him, slightly bewildered. Had Ronald's relentless pursuit driven him mad? Why was he even bringing up their past bond now? Did he really think they still had any bond left?

Ronald's voice came through, low and dangerous. "You wouldn't dare."

"Listen, Ronald, I've got nothing to lose," Xander shot back before hanging up abruptly.

He tossed his phone onto the lawn, lit a cigarette, and took a deep drag. His eyes still carried that wild look when he turned back to Stella.

She just stared at him, dumbfounded.

"What? Are you scared?" he taunted.

Scared? Not really. She couldn't help but feel a bit sorry for Xander. His brother had driven him to such madness. "Talk."

"About what?"

"Tell me if you're scared of me."

"Terrified, absolutely petrified," Stella said, hoping it might somehow boost his ego.

But then Xander laughed, a soundnoveldrama

that matched his twisted

21

expression. Given the past two years with Ronald, maybe he had every right to be a bit unhinged.

Stella sighed. "I still don't get why you two are at each other's throats."

They'd grown up together, after all. He knew Ronald's stubborn nature well.

"And as far as I remember, you and Regina were never that close."

So why did he help Regina take away her mom and Yvonne, just so Regina could force her to leave?

Xander's eyes narrowed at the

mention of Regina. His expression turned icy. "You're clueless, and so is

turned4cy.

Ronald. He's driving so is

nuts

Stella blinked, confused. Was he overreacting, or had she touched a nerve?

Xander turned away, clearly done with the conversation.

"You better take me back," Stella called after him.

"Not a chance."

She clenched her jaw. Fine, they'd see how that decision worked out for him.