Xander and Yvonne walked off together, leaving Dan struggling to pick himself up from the ground. One of the bodyguards started toward him, ready to help.


    "Get the hell away from me!" Dan snarled, his whole body trembling with anger.


    That woman-was she even capable of rational thought? Was she seriously incapable of listening to reason? Did he look like the kind of guy who''d sleep with someone and leave them high and dry? Why did she keep treating him like her mortal enemy, as if she was hell-bent on destroying him?


    The more he dwelled on it, the angrier he got.


    His phone vibrated in his pocket. Dan fished it out and nced at the screen— Anders Lowry was calling.


    He answered abruptly, "Yeah?"


    "Dan, I''m in Litamark on some business. You and Princess Yvonne... everything cool?" Anders asked warily.


    Ever since that disastrous card game when Yvonne''s wrath had spilled over onto all of them, Dan''s friends went pale at the mention of her name. Lance White especially -he had only just gotten out of the hospital. So when Anders heard Yvonne was around, he figured he''d better check in before even thinking about grabbing lunch. If Dan was still wrapped up in drama with her, Anders wasn''t about to risk a run-in—he could just imagine her barging in and pummeling them all over appetizers.


    Princess Yvonne had a reputation, and deservedly so. When she lost her temper, even peacemakers got a share of the pain.


    Anders did not want a second taste.


    Dan''s voice was t. “She just beat the crap out of me."


    For a second, Anders was silent. "Uh..."


    He was already regretting the call.


    "So... what happened this time?" Anders hazarded, feeling like he had to ask at


    least a couple of brotherly questions now that the damage was done.


    Dan''s stomach twisted with rage at the reminder. "She''s pregnant!"


    "Pregnant? She beat you up? So wait, did you actually sleep with herst time?" Anders blurted out.


    Dan''s anger roiled. "I swear to God, I fucking did not."


    But it wasn''t just Yvonne who didn''t believe him even his own friends doubted his word. To them, Princess


    Yvonne wasn''t a fool she''d never never act without solid evidence. It she


    went after Dan so ferociously she


    must have proof.


    "I was with you guys all night, ying cards. Have you all forgotten that?"


    "Yeah, that''s right," Anders said, a little sheepish. "You were with us the whole time. So it couldn''t have been you..."


    Which begged another question was Yvonne losing her mind? Did she really not know who the father was? Getting med for something you didn''t do—that stung.


    "Let''s drop it,” Dan grunted. Just the thought of her was enough to raise his blood pressure. "Where are you? Want to grab lunch?”


    “Uh, I think I''ll pass," Anders said quickly.


    Hearing Yvonne had just taken a swing at Dan again, Anders wouldn''t have met up if you paid him. Last


    time one of them even had set


    chance to fight back. One lesson was enough. That''s why he''d called ahead-to make sure it was safe.


    If things were smoothed over, maybe. But knowing Yvonne was still out for blood—


    no chance.


    "So why''d you call me, then?" Dan demanded, his patience wearing thin.


    Anders sounded defensive. "I just


    had to make sure things were


    settled between you and Princess Yvonne, allright? I''m in


    Litamark-I''ve got to watch back!"


    my