Hogan. Hogan.


    That half-brother of his.


    Lately, with the whole power struggle inside the Quarry family, Imogen and Hogan Freeman had been at each other''s throats-sometimes out in the open, sometimes behind closed doors.


    Ever since Hogan came back to the Quarry estate, there hadn''t been a moment''s peace.


    But now, with what Yorick was saying, Ste couldn''t help but wonder... Had they actually buried the hatchet and joined forces? Were they suddenly united against everyone else?


    Or was it something else entirely...?


    "Wait-so you''re saying, once the Quarry mess is sorted, you''d still be in charge of the whole Quarry Group?"


    That had to be it, right?


    Ronald hadn''t shown the Quarry family an ounce of mercytely. He was relentless, never letting up, and the Quarrys could barely catch their breath.


    Even if Hogan tried to take over, it wouldn''t do a thing. Ronald''s fury was way beyond that.


    Ste herself didn''t feel much about it.


    But from Ronald''s perspective, after what happened during those three years she was stuck in Portis City, both the Quarrys and the Larkins had treated her like dirt.


    Yorick said, "If you stop now, I''ll step in and exin things. But if these rumors get to Ferrond, are you sure they won''t affect the Quinn family?"


    Ste didn''t answer.


    Yorick pressed on, "Even if it''s a tiny chance, people will look at Ronald differently from then on."


    Ste''s tone turned icy. "You really think anyone would dare look at Ronald like that?"


    She knew the rumors might have some effect, but with Yorick, she was more defiant than ever-so much so, you''d never guess she was worried about the Quinns at all.


    Yorick sighed, "Everyone should walk away from this. It''s not going to end well for anyone."


    "Not for anyone? You mean not for the Quarrys." Ste shot back, her voiceced with sarcasm.


    As for the Quinns-there wasn''t any real risk on their end.


    Yorick obviously understood what she''d left unsaid. He sounded tense. "Ste..."


    She cut him off, "Yorick, don''t say I didn''t warn you. Ronald''s thest person to back down when things get ugly."


    Of course, that only went for people on his level.


    For the likes of the Quarry family, there was only ever one oue: total wipeout.


    Yorick could only listen to Ste''s casual warning in stunned silence.


    Before he could speak, Ste


    continued, her voice cold and


    mocking, "How many times do you need


    get burned before you learn your lesson?"


    Right now, the Quarrys were just knocked down.


    But if they kept pushing their luck... well, they''d get turned to ashes.


    The once all-powerful rulers of Portis City-destined to be just another story in the history books.


    Yorick''s voice was tight, "Tell Ronald to stop. Name his price any price at all."


    "That''s your idea of negotiating?" Ste scoffed. "You attack us, then want to set your own terms for a ceasefire?"


    She hung up without another word.


    Ronald came in from outside, just in time to see Ste toss her phone onto the coffee table, her expression stormy.


    He frowned and nced at Idris, who understood the cue and quietly went to wait in the study.


    Ronald walked over and, in one smooth motion, pulled Ste onto hisp.


    Ste gasped, startled.


    When she realized it was Ronald, she pouted, her lips set in a stubborn line, and her usually sharp eyes looked suddenly misty.


    Ronald asked gently, "Who got you all worked up, huh?"


    Ste sniffled. "You''ve heard about what''s going on back in Portis City, right?"


    Ronald paused, his face hardening.


    Ste saw his reaction and knew immediately—of course he knew.


    He cupped the back of her head with his big, warm hand. "Is that what''s got you worried?"


    His tone softened, a warmth


    sneaking in Sure, she acted tough most of the time, ready to throw down with anyone who crossed her. But what really got to her was the thought of those rumors hurting the Quinn family.


    She didn''t say anything, just looked at him with wide, wounded eyes.


    Ronald smiled, just a hint of it at the rof his mouth. "Those rumors


    corner


    haveing for days. E


    Spen &


    ever make it to Fe


    did


    Ste blinked. "Huh?" Did he mean they hadn''t spread? Or that he''d stopped


    them?


    He kissed her, slow and lingering. His breath grew heavier. "It''s just a storm in a teacup, Ste. Nothing more."