Anders Lowry grabbed Dan Murray by the arm. "Alright, that''s enough-shut your mouth!"


    Watching Dan pick a fight with Yvonne even now, Anders didn''t know whether tough or cry. Truth be told, another reason was his own fear of getting thrashed. The way Yvonne was ring, ready to explode, and with Xander standing beside her? Anders had no chance if things turned violent-his fighting skills wouldn''t get him


    far.


    Dan was already hurt. If this really turned into a brawl, they''d be the ones getting pounded, no doubt about it.


    Thest run-in at Ferrond had left Anders with enough trauma to want nothing to do with Yvonne and her drama. He knew if things got physical again, he''d be the one nursing bruises afterward.


    "Let me go!" Dan barked.


    "You''ve gotten so used to her roughing you up! She wants to hit me? Let her! If she doesn''t beat me to death today, then—"


    Before he could spout another word, Anders pped a shaky hand over Dan''s mouth, hisplexion gone pale.


    Yvonne was already furious, and Dan just kept pouring fuel on the fire. Honestly, she looked like she wanted to finish him right then and there.


    Luckily, Xander kept his head. He swept Yvonne up into his arms and started walking away. Even as they retreated, Yvonne shouted over her shoulder, "Dan, you bastard!"


    Dan yanked free from Anders''s grip. "Make sure you get rid of the baby! If you don''t, you''re nothing but a coward!"


    Cradling Yvonne as they left, Xander heard this and visibly bristled, the anger in on his face. Yvonne immediately started to struggle, trying to break free, but the difference in strength between her and Xander was too much. He pulled her close and swiftly carried her away from the mess, while Yvonne''s fury only simmered hotter.


    If Yvonne weren''t here, Xander would have made sure Dan didn''t walk away in one piece tonight. But she was here—and she was pregnant. No matter how furious he was, he wouldn''t risk anything happening to her or their child just for revenge.


    Once they were in the car, Yvonne turned her face away, sulking. "And you still im you aren''t covering for him? I saw you protecting him out there!"


    Xander blinked in confusion. "What are you talking about?”


    "You wouldn''t even let me hit him!" Yvonne used bitterly.


    Xander sighed. "You''re pregnant. The doctor said it''s still a high-risk pregnancy."


    "So what?" Yvonne snapped. "Maybe it''d be better if I lost it!"


    Just thinking about the baby-Dan''s baby-inside her made the anger impossible to swallow. She couldn''t help but wish it away.


    A dark cloud crossed Xander''s face. He pulled out his phone and dialed a number. The call was answered at once. "Mr. Schultz?"


    "Forget everyone else at ck Gate. I want every eye on Dan Murray. Scour his assets. Take everything he''s got."


    Yvonne stared at him, wide-eyed. Was he really going to ruin Danpletely?


    Xander was still seething. The way Dan had provoked Yvonne, telling her to get an abortion, had pushed him to the edge. Of course he was going to crush him.


    On the other end, the man seemed to catch Xander''s murderous tone and responded immediately, "Understood, sir."


    Xander cut the call and leveled his gaze at Yvonne. "You''re not getting rid of the baby. That''s final."


    Yvonne stared at him, baffled. "Wait... then what''s all this about?"


    You''re going to destroy Dan''s life, but you won''t let me end the pregnancy?


    Xander''s voice went low and dangerous. "Listen closely. This kid is mine. That night,


    it was me who slept with you."


    Yvonne fell silent.


    "I don''t care if you believe me or not,"


    he snarled, his patience at its end


    "But you better get one thing


    If anything happens to this


    child, I swear I''lle after you Yvonne. You got that?"


    After everything, after she''d doubted him again and again, Xander had finally snapped. There was a wild desperation in his eyes as the fast Words came out like a threat and for the first time, Yvonne just... stopped. She stared at him, stunned and uncharacteristically quiet,pletely floored by the intensity in his eyes.


    Seeing her silent, Xander pulled her into hisp, gripped her chin, and imed her


    lips in a fierce, almost punishing kiss.


    Yvonne lost all words. His kiss was hard, demanding-burning with all the anger and frustration he couldn''t say aloud.