Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella)

You could say she was being told, loud and clear, to go back and stir up more trouble—while, under the surface, he was clearly scheming something. Lord only knew what was going on in that head of his.

Hearing the threat in her voice, Xander shot her another sideways glance. "Go ahead, yell all you want. Why not just call me straight up, huh?"

Seriously, what is this? Anyone gets to be called 'Dad' these days?

Yvonne smirked. "If I called you, would you even answer?"

Xander just stared at her. God, this woman's mouth.

"Tell me, did you call that woman 'Mom' too?"

At the mention of her, Xander's tone turned even colder, if that was possible.

Yvonne shrugged. "Not a chance."

Not just anyone gets to be my mom-especially not someone like Mona.

Hearing that Yvonne hadn't gone that far, Xander actually felt a wave of relief. If she ever did call Mona 'Mom', he swore he'd strangle her on the spot.

"So... where are we headed, anyway?"

Yvonne glanced out the window, realizing this wasn't the way back to the Quinn estate.noveldrama

"It's late. We're going straight to my townhouse," Xander replied. There was one nearby, always kept ready by his housekeeper. They could head there anytime.

Yvonne stifled a yawn. Honestly, she was exhausted. All-nighters weren't exactly new to her, but after wrangling with those people all night, she was wiped.

She was just about to close her eyes when her phone started buzzing on the seat next to her. At the same time, Xander's phone started ringing too.

They both picked up their calls.

Whoever was on the other end, they both finished with the exact same words: "On my way."

They hung up, caught each other's eyes.

Again, in near-unison: "I'm heading to The Night Owl. You get some sleep." "Drop me at The Empty Barrel first."

Yvonne: "...

Xander: ""

The Night Owl and The Empty Barrel-two bars right next to each other.

Yvonne was the first to break the silence. "Got a date?"

Xander shrugged. "Don't you?"

She rolled her eyes. "What, are you gonna tell me I have to play the good housewife now? Not allowed to go out for a drink?"

It was just drinks with friends. If he tried to stop her, she'd file for divorce tomorrow.

Xander snorted. "As if."

Yvonne shot him a look. Who's the one with the attitude here?

He raised an eyebrow. "It really can't wait?"

She met his gaze, stubborn as ever. "Absolutely."

Sure, it was just drinks. But the way she spat out those words, there was something more behind it.

Because, truth be told, Skye Yoder was at The Empty Barrel tonight. That two-

faced witch had run off with half her stuff last time, and Yvonne had been stewing over it ever since.

Tonight, if she caught her, she wasn't letting her go without a fight.

...

Xander headed into The Night Owl.

Yvonne strode into The Empty Barrel next door. Xander wasn't worried. No one in Westbridge dared mess with her this was her usual scene, after all.

Yvonne walked straight to a booth at the back.

Ashley stood up with a grin. "Come on, spill! How did you end up marrying into the Quinn dynasty?"

"Yeah, no kidding! Yale's been losing his mind over it," chimed in Lott.

"Guy's been blowing up everyone's phones all night. Seriously, how mad must he be?"

Most of the gang were Xander's old crew from Westbridge. Only Bonnag, sitting on the couch, stayed quiet, just fixing Xander with a deep, thoughtful look.

Xander smirked. "What, you think I'm lying? Yale's just getting started-by the end of this, he'll be like a stray dog on the street."

That got a laugh out of Lott and Ashley. Ashley grinned, "Three years ago, after that whole mess, we figured you'd be done with him."

Guess they'd been waiting for Xander to finally take down Yale.

Lott nodded. "While you were living it up in New York, Yale basically ran things around here."

Pretty much acted like he owned the place, too.