Xander kept flipping a little silver knife in his hand, the blade flashing as it spun.

A sly, deep grin curled at his lips. "What's there to figure out? At the end of the day, Dan Murray just wants us to wipe out his stepmother's whole crew for him."

Yvonne just stared at him, speechless.

Did he mean Adelle's group?

Honestly, she couldn't stand those people.

"So, you're saying Susanna is with Dan?"

Everything had gotten so tangled, Yvonne's head felt like scrambled eggs. She couldn't make heads or tails of who was holding Susanna now—or even which side of Black Gate had her.

When she asked if Susanna was really with Dan, Xander's eyes darkened. "I wouldn't bet on it."

"Huh?"

"Think about it—Dan fought tooth and nail to snatch Pigeon Peak from Derek Murray. If I tried to take Pigeon Peak from him, odds are good he might hand over Susanna to keep what he wants most."

"So you're saying, she isn't with Dan?"

"Not necessarily!"

Yvonne blinked, exasperated. "Are you kidding me?"

Everything was "maybe yes, maybe no." How was anyone supposed to make sense of this mess?

Xander continued, “Sure, Pigeon Peak means a lot to Dan. But what he wants even more is for Finch Murray and the rest of them to disappear-for good."

Finch, Adelle, those twins-Dan hated them with everything he had.

Yvonne's head was spinning. "So... is Susanna with Dan or not?"

Xander just shrugged. "No clue."

Yvonne nearly choked. "Are you serious?"

He shrugged again. “Look, all I know is, she's definitely with someone in Black Gate. Hull is already breathing down their necks, demanding they hand her over."

That, at least, made sense. If Hull himself was putting the squeeze on Black Gate, Susanna had to be with them.

"But which part of Black Gate has her?" Yvonne pressed.

Xander shook his head. "No idea. From what I can tell, any of them could've taken Susanna."

Yvonne sighed. "You're not helping."

She threw up her hands in frustration. "Whatever! Just bomb Blacktower and be done with it. Maybe that'll force their hand."

She was furious. She couldn't figure

out who had Susanna, and at this point, she didn't care-she just

wanted results even if it meant blowing things sky-high.

belongs to FindNovels

Xander fell silent, just looking at her after she mentioned bombing Blacktower.

Yvonne scowled. "What? You're not going to do it?"

He rolled his eyes. "Let me remind you, this isn't your backyard barbecue—it's Litamark. You think Blacktower is made of cardboard?"

Yvonne pouted. Wasn't it, though? He'd blown up Dan's last hideout just fine.

But before she could retort, Xander yanked her into his arms. "You and that temper of yours. If you weren't married to me, who'd put up with you?"

For a second

Yvonne's mind went

blank with embarrassment. She

raised ber hand to slap him, but this time Xafter was seedy ste caugh ready.

her hand easily, pulled it to his lips, and pressed a warm kiss into her palm. FindNovels

A jolt ran through her, head to toe, like she'd touched a live wire.

...

Yvonne was on edge, nerves frayed to the breaking point.

Meanwhile, in the presidential suite, Susanna was pacing, lost in her own anxious thoughts.

Across the room, Silas was giving Hull an update. "Boss, things in Westonville have completely blown up."

Hull had sent most of his crew to take over Westonville by force, and Black Gate's people weren't backing down. It was all-out war.

Hull glanced at Susanna, who was fidgeting like crazy, and gave a calm, easy side. "No need to panic, But dont give the other side a chance to breathe, either." FindNovels

Silas nodded, picking up on Hull's intent. "Got it."

With Silas gone, Hull walked over to Susanna and handed her a tall glass of

orange juice.

"What's got you so worried?" he asked, suddenly leaning in.

Susanna jumped, startled. “Jeez, warn a girl next time..."

She took a couple sips of juice, then muttered, "I was just thinking... Yvonne's

probably losing her mind right about now."