Chapter 365 Leaving The Ind

    I thought Julius and I were ithe /iionly /itwo isouls /iion /iithis /iiind/ii? /i

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    Fabian said, “Mr. Whitethorn sent me to take my cues from you, Ms. Bridger. If you wish to leave the ind, we can lift off the moment you say so.”

    The words drove a tiny jolt through her chest, and Quinn found herself standing very still, salt air caught in her lungs.

    Leave? ording to my arrangement with iJulius/ii, /iiI /iishould /iistill /iihave /itwo days left. D

    Quinn lifted her gaze, forcing a steadiness she did not feel. “Where is Julius, then?”

    Fabian’s tone remained impably polite, almost soothing. “Mr. Whitethorn has already departed. If you wish to stay a while, I’ll arrange for staff and medical personnel so the ind bes your private retreat.”

    Quinn shook her head sharply. “That won’t be necessary.”

    She repeated the fact in her mind: Julius had left. He had even released her two days ahead of schedule.

    So he imeant /iievery /iiword/i. iHe’s /iiparting /iiways /iwith ime/i. iPerhaps /iist /iinight /iihad /iibeen /iithe /iitrue /iigoodbye/ii. /i

    Her gaze dropped, and a sting of bitterness swelled in her throat. iMaybe /iithis /iiis /iifor /ithe best. iWe /iiwere /iinever /iimeant /ito ifit/i. iNow /iiwe’ve /iidone /iinothing /iimore /iithan /iicircle /iiback /iito /iiwhere /iiwe /iistarted/i.

    Fabian cleared his throat softly. “Ms. Bridger, what would you like to do now?”

    She squared her shoulders. “I’m going home. I’m going back to Jexburgh now.”

    Fabian dipped his head. “Very well, I’ll make the arrangements immediately.”

    2

    The rotors thundered overhead as the helicopter skimmed upward. Only then did Quinn grasp how near the indy to Jexburgh–barely a thirty–minute hop.

    During the ride, she had already pinged Laura and Han, letting them know she was on her way back.

    The moment her boots hit thending pad, she spotted Laura and Han waiting.

    Chapter 365 Leaving The Ind

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    Han lunged forward and wrapped her in a fierce hug. “Quinnie, thank goodness–you’re finally back!”

    Quinn lifted a calming hand and patted his tense back. “I told you over the phone, I’m all right.”

    Yet Han refused to let go, arms locked as if he could shield her from unseen harm. No matter how many reassurances she offered, worry gnawed at him; he knew nothing of what she had endured or how Julius might have treated her.

    Behind them, Fabian’s calm baritone carried over the rotor wash, calling her name. Quinn tapped Han’s shoulder once more, and only then did he loosen his grip, reluctant but obedient.

    Fabian offered a courteous nod. “Since you have returned safely to Jexburgh, I’ll report back

    now.”

    “Thank you.”

    Fabian turned on his heel and strode toward the waiting sedan, disappearing into the city traffic.

    Laura slipped up beside Quinn, her heels clicking like punctuation on the marble floor, and gave a teasing sideways nce. “So where’s Julius Whitethorn? Why didn’t hee back with you?”

    She had been convinced the man cherished Quinn so fiercely that nothing could pry him away, least of all the flight back to Jexburgh. Seeing Quinn alone shattered that assumption in an instant.

    “Julius and I are finished,” Quinn said, her toneposed but her fingers fidgeting with the strap of her bag. “From now on, this sort of drama simply isn’t happening again.”

    Laura’s brow lifted, a small, sharp motion. She could tell whatever happened on that ind must have been far from tranquil.

    Han stepped forward. “Quinnie will never be taken like that again,” he promised, voice low and steely. “If Julius tries to force her away, I’ll make sure to make him pay.” 3

    “There won’t be a next time,” Quinn said. “By the way, the news mentioned the Fane family has already reached Jexburgh, right?”

    “Yeah, they got in yesterday,” Han confirmed without missing a beat.

    He had been tracking the Fane entourage since their jet touched down. Information flowed to

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    him the way water found a riverbed–swift, unerring, inevitable. “If you want to see Leander Fane, Quinnie, just say so. I’ll arrange the meeting.”

    “Thanks, Han. I owe you one,” Quinn replied, the corner of her mouth softening in genuine gratitude.

    Han’s smile was quick and bright. “Anything for you is never a bother.”

    The warmth in his words made Quinn’s cheeks flush.

    She understood his feelings, yet saw him only as a younger brother in the trenches–arade whose loyalty was carved from shared battles, not romance.

    “All right, enough,” Laura interjected, pping her hands lightly. “It’s nearly noon–let’s hunt down some lunch.”

    They chose a venerable establishment renowned across Jexburgh, its gilt sign announcing a century of vors. They settled at a window table wherete–morning sun painted honey stripes across the linen. Menus ordered, conversation paused when Han’s phone vibrated sharply against the wood.

    “I need to take this,” he said, already moving toward the quiet hallway with the device pressed to his ear.

    Once he was out of earshot, Laura leaned in, her eyes gleaming with curiosity. “You and Julius -are you really done for good?”

    “Looks that way,” Quinn murmured,shes lowered.

    “Then what’s this mark on your neck?” Laura asked, zeroing in on a faint crimson bloom just above Quinn’s corbone. “Don’t tell me someone else left it.”

    Quinn startled, fingers flying to the spot. iThat /iimust /iibe /iifrom /iist /iinight/i–iwhen /iiJulius /iikissed /iime/i. The realization sent a ripple of heat racing up her spine.

    Han reappeared, sliding his phone into his pocket. “What are you two whispering about?”

    “N–Nothing,” Quinn stammered, tugging the neckline of her blouse higher, mortified.

    Her hair was gathered in a neat ponytail, leaving her throat exposed. The blouse she wore dipped modestly but not enough to disguise the telltale stain of passion.

    Han said nothing, yet his gaze flickered, deliberately casual, toward the small red imprint. Anyone with the slightest experience could read that mark for what it was.

    Chapter 365 Leaving The Ind

    She iand /iiJulius /iidid /iiit /iion /iithe /iiind/ii? /i