Because Yvonne had just thrown up.


    Xander was in no mood to be patient with Ronald anymore. But no matter what he said, Ronald just kept repeating the same thing: "I don''t know what you''re talking about."


    And then-he just hung up.


    Listening to the t tone of the disconnected call, Xander stared at his phone in disbelief.


    Seriously? He really didn''t know what Xander was talking about? And what was with hanging up so quickly?


    Guilty conscience?


    Had to be.


    Just then, Shawn Schultz walked in and found Xander alone. "Dude, what''s with the face?"


    Xander shot him a look that could freeze water.


    "What did I do now?" Shawn protested, looking genuinely baffled.


    Honest to God, Shawn had been walking on eggshells for weeks, trying not to say the wrong thing and set Xander off. Ever since a certain someone showed up, Xander''s moods had gotten weirder by the day.


    Shawn couldn''t help thinking it.


    Before Xander could say anything, Yvonne came out of the bathroom, her face still damp, clearly having just rinsed her mouth after being sick.


    "You okay?" Xander asked, concern clear in his voice.


    "I''m fine. Just feel like Jell-O. I need to lie down," Yvonne replied, waving him off as she headed straight for the bedroom.


    She was pale, probably from the nausea.<fn40e3> This text is hosted at find?novel</fn40e3>


    Shawn nced at Xander. "What''s up with Yvonne?"


    Of all the minefields surrounding Xander and Yvoely, mentioning Yvonne was about the only one Shawn could navigate safely.


    Xander replied, "She''s fine. Probably just stressed out from running around looking for people. The pressure''s getting to her."


    Seriously, what was Ronald ying at? Xander and Yvonne were busting their butts for him, and he was busy scheming behind Yvonne''s back with Hull?


    Come on.


    If he wanted to pull something with ck Gate, all he had to do was say the word. Did he really think they wouldn''t back him up?


    And what was the point of all this secrecy around Susanna?


    And another thing: what''s with all this acting? ck Gate''s a dump you don''t need to put on a show to storm in and take over. you want something, just take it.


    Did Yvonne''s reaction really matter that much?


    Xander Quinn of the Ferrond family-since when did he need a reason for anything? He did what he wanted, end of story.


    And now his own sister was looking like this...


    Suddenly, Xander shot to his feet, startling Shawn, who was about to say something.


    "Dude, what''s up?"


    "Mind your own business. Don''t ask," Xander snapped.


    Shawn just stared after him, bewildered, having no clue what he''d done wrong this time.


    ***


    In the bedroom, Yvonne felt weak and shaky all over after being sick-like she''d been hit by a truck.


    When Xander came in, she mumbled, "I''m not in the mood for you right now."


    She didn''t want to talk. She didn''t want to think. She just wanted to disappear


    under the covers.


    Xander


    Si by the bed, frowning at


    the sight of her so pale and drained. "Since when do you let


    You this? This isn''t got to


    at


    "Huh?" Yvonne grunted, her voice muffled by the nket.


    Stress? Well, yeah, ever since Susanna went missing, she''d been a ball of nerves. She was honestly worried Hull wouldpletely fall out with Ronald and that would be a real mess.


    Hearing Xander''s question, Yvonne just rolled over and hugged her pillow tighter. "Just drop it, okay?"


    Even hearing Susanna''s name made her want to throw up again—she was that anxious.


    Seeing how miserable she looked, Xander sat down on the edge of the bed and gently pulled the nket up around her shoulders.


    "Hey. You don''t have to worry so much."