The Divorced Military Queen Awakens (by Sadie Baxter) novel Chapter 421

Chapter 421 Night Landing

“No. The moment we touch down, take me straight to his place in Celosia.”

Every ticking second felt like another needle pressed against her skin.

She had to see Julius–had to look into the eyes of the man who had staked his very life on loving her.

“All right, I’ll take you there,” Gavin replied, his gaze narrowing. “But you’d better not hurt Julius again. If you manage to coax him this time, only to turn around and abandon him again, I won’t let you off.”

Quinn pinched the bridge of her nose, the word “coax” sliding through her mind with at strange, tinny echo. It sounded almost childish–soft, sugary–but something in her gut whispered that maybe, just maybe, it could work.

“I’m not letting go of him. From now on, I’m hanging on with both hands, forever,” she promised.

Gavin let out a long breath, shoulders sagging as though someone had loosened a tourniquet. “Good,” he muttered, relief drumming the word out of him.

“That said…” Quinn added as she turned to Gavin, eyes cautious but bright. “Is Julius the kind of man who can be easily coaxed?”

Back when they dated, she had never tried that tactic, so she truly had no idea whether that iron–willed man would bend for honeyed words.

Gavin rolled his eyes at her. “Most people wouldn’t stand a chance if they tried it on him, but you? You’re the exception. I’m sure of it.”

If Quinn failed to placate Julius, then no living soul on this planet could hope to pull it off.

The moment they stepped off the plane, Fabian was waiting at the gate, tablet clutched like a shield.

Upon seeing Quinn, Fabian froze, and sweat beaded instantly at his hairline. “You… Why did you bring Ms. Bridger here? D–Does that mean she already knows everything?”

“Obviously!” Gavin barked, cutting him off. “If I’m coming back to the country, why would I come back without her?”

Fabian’s perspiration doubled. “But if Mr. Whitethorn finds out…”

Oh no.. I’m only a secretary, for goodness‘ sake. If Mr. Whitethorn flies into a rage because of this, I’d be collateral damage!

“Relax. If Julius blows up, someone else will stand in the line of fire for you,” Gavin reassured.

Fabian squinted at Gavin, unconvinced that the doctor could survive Julius‘ fiery temper.

Gavin scoffed and jerked his chin toward Quinn. “Not me–her. She’ll take the hit, so quit trembling!”

Fabian considered that and, to his own surprise, found he almost believed it.

“All right, first things first. Take us to wherever Julius is staying,” Gavin ordered.

Moments later, the three of them slid into a sedan, and Fabian got behind the wheel. Twenty silent minutes later, they pulled beneath the vaulted awning of the hotel where Julius had taken residence during his stay in Celosia.

Inside the lobby, Fabian pressed a keycard into Quinn’s palm.

For several seconds, time seemed to have stopped.

Locked in each other’s stare, they hovered in silence until Julius finally found his voice. “Why did you come all the way here?” Julius asked, his words low, almost hoarse.

“To see you,” Quinn answered, the syllables simple yet charged.

She had been dying to see him since the moment the plane left the runway. Even with a fresh cast clamped around her right leg, the need had dragged her across cities, pain, and caution.

Julius‘ eyelashes quivered, betraying a turmoil he would never voice. “You didn’t have to come,” he murmured. “The fire was my family’s fault. Pulling you out was only the right thing to do. You don’t have to feel bad, nor try to repay me by staying at my side. That would just be misplaced guilt.”

Quinn blinked, stunned. So that was what he believed–that her desire for him was merely an apology in disguise.

“It’s late, and I’d like to sleep. Please leave,” Julius said, already pivoting away.

Suddenly, Quinn seized his arm and drove him back against the wall beside the door, the impact sharp but controlled.

Reflex had him lifting his hands to shove her away, but her next words froze him mid–motion.

“Don’t push me; my right leg is still in a cast,” she warned.

His lips thinned. The hands that had hovered defensively now sank to his sides. “Since your leg is still healing, all the more reason you shouldn’t be here. I’ll arrange a ride to take you home.”