Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 871

Finch was still convinced Dan had the person.

He glared at Dan, but before he could say a word, Derek cut him off.

“I’ve already checked everyone you’ve got. She’s not with any of you.”

That “already checked” dropped into the tense room like a brick tossed into a pond.

Dan didn’t even blink.

After all, Derek hadn’t trusted him in years—always keeping tabs, always watching. Planting spies around him was nothing new.

But Finch was another story. He stared at Derek, disbelief written all over his face.

“Dad, you—”

“Enough! Both of you, knock it off! The only thing that matters now is finding out who took Susanna and getting her back, understood?”

Finch started, “But this whole thing—”

“—has nothing to do with us, sure. But they’re coming to us for answers, so what choice do we have?”

Just talking about it made Derek’s blood pressure spike. He’d moved fast, checking all his kids’ people, tearing through their crews in record time.

And what did he find? Susanna wasn’t anywhere near Black Gate.

But Black Gate was still taking the heat, losing people, losing ground—over something that wasn’t even their fault. Who was he supposed to complain to about that? It was enough to make him want to put his fist through the wall.

Finch’s mood soured further. He never thought his own father would suspect him—actually dig into his business.

Had the secret stuff he was running on the side been discovered, too? The thought made him scowl even harder.

Derek took a few deep breaths, steadying himself. “You two, get moving. Go find her.”

“Yes, sir.” Finch ground out, shooting Dan one last dirty look.

Dan, as always, looked bored, which only pissed Finch off more.

—

Derek’s face darkened. “She’s not that important? Then why go to war with Black Gate over her?”

But as he thought about it, a chill crept over him. “You think they just used Susanna as an excuse to come after us?”

Caden nodded. “It’s possible. Maybe this was all just a pretext to hit Black Gate.”

The room went dead quiet, except for the soft hiss of Derek’s cigar and the sound of his breathing.

Derek’s eyes glinted cold. “Just an excuse, huh?”

“That’s what I’m afraid of,” Caden said quietly.

If Susanna was just an excuse, then their whole operation was in real trouble. Black Gate might not stand a chance.

Derek’s voice was low, almost a growl. “Who’s the other woman?”

He’d rather they actually wanted Susanna back—anything but this. Anything but being just a pawn in someone else’s game.

Caden said nothing.