Cross My Tigress Face the Wrath (Stella) novel Chapter 962

Hull took a slow drag from his cigarette, saying nothing, though the curve of his lips sharpened into a predatory smile as his gaze fixed on Derek. That look alone was enough to send a chill down Derek’s spine. It was all too familiar—the eyes, the smile, the air of menace.

His chest tightened, growing almost painful. “Who are you?” he demanded.

Hull’s smile vanished, the mocking glimmer in his eyes replaced with a cold, lethal light. “Who I am doesn’t matter. The important thing, Mr. Murray, is that you’re a man who deserves to lose everything.”

The words landed like a blow to the heart, making Derek shudder. “You… Who are you?” This time, desperation broke through his composure. Now he was absolutely certain: he had met Hull somewhere before. They shared a history steeped in bitter hatred. But Hull’s real identity eluded him—after so many years and so many enemies made by Black Gate in the shadows, Derek couldn’t recall where their paths had crossed, or what kind of hatred simmered between them. Hull’s chilling threat—“lose everything”—sent a wave of dread washing over him.

Before Derek could say another word, a woman’s sleepy, plaintive voice drifted from inside the room: “It’s so cold… Hold me, please…”

Both men froze, their gazes locked for an instant. Derek’s lips pressed into a tight, colorless line. Hull, however, let the ghost of a smile play across his mouth. He glanced past Derek to where Caden stood in the corridor. His voice dropped into a knife-edged warning. “If you knock on this door again, you’d better be ready to lose your life.”

With that, Hull vanished back through the door, pulling it shut behind him.

Derek stood in the hallway, locked in place, his muscles rigid and his whole body cold. His fists were clenched so tightly that his knuckles showed white. Without looking at Caden, he ground out, “Find out everything you can about Hull. Who was he before he met Mr. Quinn?”

Everyone knew Hull worked for Ronald Quinn, that he was trusted enough to build a power base of his own. He’d always been a shadowy presence at Quinn’s side, more than a mere subordinate. To negotiate terms with someone like Quinn meant Hull’s past had to carry serious weight—and likely some formidable leverage.

“Yes, sir. I’ll get right on it,” Caden replied quickly.

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