The divorced military queen awakens novel

Chapter 473 Hostage Gambit 39 +30 Free Coins Color drained from Joaquin's face ; every carefully stacked contingency was collapsing beneath Quinn's relentless advance . " And should those drones ignite your spare ammunition , Mr. Whitethorn , the blast radius becomes anybody's guess . I doubt you'll find time to reach a safe deck , " Quinn said . If Joaquin was playing the madman , then she would have to out - mad him . " Since you deem me unworthy to kill you , surely you don't intend to die alongside me , " Quinn called back , her tone icy but wild .

" Clever - far cleverer than I allowed for , " Joaquin conceded , his smile turning carnivorous . " But tell me , Quinn , does human life mean so little to you ? " At his gesture , two guards hauled a figure into the floodlights , boots scraping against wet concrete . Quinn's breath snagged . Lena Durand - pale , slight , impossibly out of place - slumped between the men , ropes biting into her wrists . The discovery blindsided Quinn ; she had trusted the Fane family bodyguards to keep Lena hidden , so she had not spared another thought for the girl tonight .

Yet here Lena was , dragged into the crossfire because of Quinn's war . " Joaquin Whitethorn , what is the meaning of this ? " Quinn shouted , fury stripping the formality from his name . " Why involve someone who has nothing to do with this ? " " Unrelated ? " Joaquin snorted . " She could soon be your sister - in - law . Besides , my daft son offered up his stem cells for her sake - because of you . I'd say that binds her to our little drama . " Lena's face was chalk white , sweat beading at her hairline , every shallow breath tugging against the ropes that pinned her to the deck .

" Step out of that car now , " Joaquin warned , pressure in each syllable , " unless you prefer to watch this woman die where she stands . " Quinn sat rigid , her lips pressed into a thin line as the night air seeped through the cracked window . In the driver's seat , Fabian broke the hush . " Ms. Bridger , stay in the car . The moment you step out , if they have a hidden rifle trained on us ... " Quinn didn't so much as glance at him . Instead , she murmured , her voice steady .

" Those 1/3 17:44 Sat , Oct 11 N Chapter 473 Hostage Gambit គ ០39 ) +30 Free Coins armed drones hovering above us are enough . They won't risk a random shot while the sky is watching . " The idea flashed across her mind like cold steel catching moonlight . After all , even the finest marksman cannot swear that one bullet will finish me in a heartbeat . Up above , each drone carried a so - called modified fireworks charge - a polite name for a very real bomb that would shred every soul in this parking lot . Lena . I have to get her out alive . The feud had always been between her and Joaquin .

Lena was an innocent caught in the crossfire , collateral damage in a war she never signed up for . Quinn shoved the door open and stepped onto the cracked asphalt , the drone lights painting restless halos over her head . Facing Joaquin across the thin slice of night, she called out . " What exactly do you want ? If you're still set on killing me , know this - I've given the order . The instant my heart stops , those drones will drop their charges . You'll die with the ' unworthy ' me ." Joaquin's face stayed carved in stone . " What do I want ? Let's wait .

When my fool of a son arrives , you'll understand . " " And what makes you so sure he'll come at all ? " she shot back , voice edged like broken glass . " Because you're here . He'll come sooner or later . " He tilted his head , almost amused . " And forget the police - you called them , yes , but they won't reach us in time . " Quinn had expected as much ; not a flicker of surprise crossed her features . Joaquin came from a dynasty steeped in wealth and intrigue . Schemes were as natural to him as breathing . A man like that was never easy prey . " Lena is frail , " Quinn warned .

" If your rough handling kills her , she'll be useless as leverage against me . " Joaquin arched one brow , then gestured . A henchman hurried over with a folding chair , setting it behind Lena so she could sit . At that moment , another engine growled up the drive . A black sedan slid to a halt , and Rowan climbed out , fury already igniting in his eyes . " Lena ! " he shouted , voice cracking across the night like a whip . The silent , trembling woman finally broke . Tears spilled down her cheeks , carving shining tracks through the grime . " Rowan ! " she sobbed .

2/3 17:45 Sat , Oct 11 N ... 39 Chapter 473 Hostage Gambit " I'm here ! " Rowan answered , then leveled a burning glare at Joaquin . " Let her go . you want , I'll pay the price . " +30 Free Coins Whatever Joaquin's mouth curled . " Let her go ? Very well . Kill your sister right now , and she walks free . " Blood drained from Rowan's face , leaving him ashen . Turning back to Quinn , Joaquin added , " Of course , you could spare him the dilemma and take your own life .

Do that , and I'll release her and swear never to touch either family again ." Quinn narrowed her eyes , studying him with open suspicion . The man acted as though her death were the only acceptable outcome . Yet he had to know that if she died , Julius and he would be locked in a war to the death . Is he really trying to doom his son to share his own misery - or is there another game hidden beneath all this ? With a flick of his wrist , Joaquin pressed the gun barrel against Lena's temple . " Quinn , will you sacrifice yourself for your brother's happiness ?

" Before Quinn could answer , headlights sliced through the dark . An entire convoy roared in and fanned out , boxing Joaquin and his men in a tight ring of steel . Quinn blinked in surprise as a familiar silhouette emerged - Julius Whitethorn , stepping from the lead car like a storm pulled into human shape . 3/3 Sara Lili Sara Lili is a daring romance writer who turns icy landscapes into scenes of fiery passion. She loves crafting hot love stories while embracing the chill of Iceland's breathtaking cold.