Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 974

His face and neck were raked with Yvonne’s nail marks, his clothes shredded and hanging on him in tatters. Dan stood there with his hands raised, looking like a man terrified to so much as breathe on her—petrified he’d be blamed for something he didn’t do.

One glance was all Xander needed. Yvonne clearly knew. Ronald must’ve called her, told her to see a doctor, and Dan, poor idiot, had walked straight into the crossfire.

Xander stepped out, striding over and pulling Yvonne firmly into his arms. "That’s enough," he said.

Dan’s scowl only deepened at the sight of him. He shot Xander a venomous glare. “Seriously? Are you even a man? You still haven’t sorted this out?”

His anger was practically vibrating off him. What a nightmare—ever since that night, he’d been the designated scapegoat. As if it weren’t bad enough being a fall guy, he’d gotten stuck as Xander’s fall guy.

Yvonne was already fuming; hearing Dan mouth off just made it worse. Still in Xander’s arms, she lashed out with a sharp kick that landed squarely in Dan’s gut.

“Don’t you dare drag Xander into this, you bastard!”

Xander said nothing.

Dan couldn’t get a word out either.

That word—“drag”—set Dan ablaze. Xander’s face, meanwhile, was a picture of exasperation.

Dan’s chest heaved. “Xander, man, just tell her—did I drag you into this or not?”

For God’s sake, was he ever going to get out from under this cloud?

Xander opened his mouth, about to reply, but Yvonne’s foot came flying again—a solid kick knocked Dan to the ground, doubled over with pain.

Yvonne’s last flurry left Dan speechless with pain.

She towered over him, her face ice-cold. “From now on, stay the hell away from me. If I catch you anywhere near me again, I’ll beat you every single time.”

Same threat as last time. Then again, it didn’t matter—every time Dan saw her, he wound up worse for wear. After that staged death a few years ago, Yvonne had sworn he’d never be forgiven.

“Yvonne, you—damn witch!” Dan gasped, clutching his sides. He managed the accusation through gritted teeth, but couldn’t say anything else; his guts felt rearranged. Was there no end to this madness? Would this ever get resolved? It was maddening.

Watching her tear into Dan, even Xander—usually fearless—felt his courage shrivel. Was this really how she reacted after learning she was pregnant? She looked like she wanted to murder the child’s father!

Xander could hardly process it before, watching her wail on Dan. Now, he was outright terrified.