Susanna: "What''s going on?"


    "Girl, you''re about to head back to ck Gate to help your mom, right? Do you have any idea what kind of wolves and vultures she''s up against right now?"


    Susanna: "!!!"


    Yvonne: "Your dad doesn''t love your mom-or any kid that isn''t from that other woman. To him, you''re just an eyesore."


    "Come on, you and your mom are both thorns in his side. And you still wanna run back to Hull and live the good life? Sis, get real."


    Susanna felt her breath hitch.


    Yvonne''s words weren''t exactly gentle, but they were the harsh truth.


    Yvonne: "Those two creeps came after you because your mom is a threat to their mom-aka your dad''s favorite woman."


    "Oh, and don''t forget Dan. Your dad, Derek, thinks he''s the hunter, but Dan? He''s the real shark in the water."


    Right now, it looked like Lacey and Derek were on the same team.


    On the surface, it seemed like Lacey and Dan were allies.


    But Yvonne knew better.


    Lacey had been dragged back by Dan''s people. Dan wanted to use Lacey''s hate for Derek as leverage.


    It was just a matter of time before it was either Derek or Lacey who came out on top.


    And if Lacey won, the next battle would be between her and Dan.


    Yvonneid it all out, in and simple.


    Susanna finally understood just how dangerous things were for her mom back in ck Gate.


    Watching Susanna''s face fall, Yvonne continued, "Once you leave with me, either your dad or your brother Dan will be gunning for you, trying to use you against your mom."


    "Even a lion takes a nap. You really think you''ll be safe with Hull? Nothing''s guaranteed."


    The only reason Dan hadn''te after Susanna while she was in Ferrond was because of Hull-and because the fight between Lacey and Dan Duff had only just begun. It wasn''t time yet.


    But once the fight between Derek and Lacey ended—especially if Lacey won- Susanna would be in even more danger.


    Right now, Derek''s people were after her. Later, it''d be Dan''s.


    Susanna: "."


    She was breathing fast, trying to keep her emotions in check.


    Family...


    How twisted was it that your own blood could be like this?


    "Fine. I''ll go with you."


    When Susanna opened her eyes, they were filled with a new determination.


    Three days ago, she''d been knocked out by Yvonne and whisked away without a clue.


    Since then, it had been nonstop physical training.


    She''d hated every second of it, and


    tried


    back on Hull, hoping his


    wanted. Content belet


    peop


    would train her the way she


    But now she saw the point: she needed someone tough like Yvonne.


    Only under this kind of pressure could she stand strong and safe behind her mom.


    Susanna looked hard at Yvonne. "Why are you helping me?"


    "Because I want Dan, that bastard, dead. Is that so wrong?"


    Yvonne grinned. If that man was just a cold-blooded machine, then forget


    ''family''-let''s make that the blee


    pointed right at him.


    Susanna: “You hate him? Only people who''ve loved deeply can hate like that."


    To Susanna, Dan wasn''t even worth loving-let alone hating. Hate was an emotion, after all.


    Yvonne just smiled wider. "Hate? Please. I want him dead, and not the easy way, either."


    The way she said "dead" was so casual, it almost chilled Susanna.


    In that moment, she realized Yvonne truly didn''t love Dan-not even a little.


    They packed quickly.


    As Yvonne''s crew climbed into the helicopter, Susanna suddenly grabbed the hem of her dress.


    Yvonne turned, eyebrow raised. "What now?"


    "Yvonne, can I call Hull? Just real quick?"


    Susanna looked up at her, big-eyed


    and


    r than Yvonne hauet


    seending her, just f


    Sending her, just for a


    Star.


    of her own sweet