Chapter 45 Meeting Julius Again
Judging by the tight grouping of bullets on the target, his score was nothing short of remarkable.
As he finished his round of shooting, Julius set the gun down and removed his ear protection. He turned toward Quinn, a faint smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “You’re here already? That was quicker than 1 expected.”
“This is the outfit you lent me, Mr. Whitethorn,” Quinn said, stepping forward and handing over the neatly folded, freshly dry–cleaned clothes.
Julius gave the bundle a cursory glance. Fabian stepped forward wordlessly to take it from her hands.
“I’ll be on my way, then. I wouldn’t want to take up more of your time,” Quinn said, already turning to leave.
But Julius‘ voice stopped her. “Since you’re here, how about a few rounds? Consider it your way of repaying the favor.”
Quinn hesitated, then gave a small nod. “All right. How many rounds are we talking?”
“Five rounds. Ten shots each,” he said.
A staff member approached, placing a gun, a box of bullets, and a pair of earmuffs neatly in front of Quinn.
She lowered her gaze to the weapon. The sight of it stirred something in her, a familiar, almost instinctive sensation.
With practiced ease, she inspected the handgun, loaded the magazine, and slipped on the earmuffs. Though she hadn’t touched a firearm since leaving the military, her movements were fluid, precise, engrained in muscle memory. There wasn’t the slightest hesitation.
Quinn raised the gun, eyes locking onto the distant target. She steadied her breathing, took aim, and fired.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
The sharp crack of the shot echoed across the range. Her expression remained composed and focused, yet beneath that calm exterior was a cold, razor–edged intensity. It was the sharp, disciplined, and deadly mark of a soldier. Though her uniform was gone, that edge within her hadn’t dulled.
Julius found himself momentarily captivated as he watched the woman beside him.
For a split second, it felt like he’d been transported back to that war–torn land, where the sky thundered with artillery fire and chaos reigned. He had been just a boy then, separated from his parents, bined under rubble, certain he wouldn’t survive.
Until a small, determined hand pushed aside the debris, pulling him from the ruins.
Back then, too, he had seen that same brilliance; blinding, unforgettable.
The first round ended. Then the second. Then the third.
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Chapter 45 Meeting Julius Again
Quinn and Julius took turns, shot after shot, their scores surprisingly close with each round.
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By the end of the fifth round, Quinn set the gun down and released a long, steady breath. She hadn’t touched a weapon in years, and though this had merely been a game, it left her unexpectedly exhilarated. As if, for a brief moment, she had returned to a version of herself she’d almost forgotten.
“Out of all the women I’ve met, your shooting skills are the best,” Julius remarked.
“Thank you,” Quinn replied politely. “But back in the military camp, there were many female soldiers better than me. I wouldn’t call myself the best.”
“I’ve always wondered,” he said, studying her. “Why did you choose someone like Trent, given the kind of person you are?”
Her expression dimmed slightly. “That’s personal. I don’t think I owe you an explanation.”
“What if I can’t stand Trent and decide to take action against him? What would you do?”
She shrugged lightly, her tone indifferent. “Who you go after is your business. I won’t interfere.”
“So… you really don’t care about him anymore?” he asked, eyes fixed on her. Quinn didn’t respond. She simply turned and walked away.
She had barely taken two steps when Julius’s voice rang out behind her, calm and deliberate. “You say you don’t care about Trent, but what about Harlan?”
Quinn froze.
How does he know about Harlan?
“What would you do,” Julius continued, his tone smooth, almost teasing, “if I decided to make a move on him? I’m genuinely curious.”
Her hands curled into fists. The next moment, she spun around and stormed toward him, gripping his collar in one swift, furious motion. Her eyes blazed. “Don’t you dare touch Harlan,” she hissed.
The warning in her voice was unmistakable and laced with threat.
Fabian, watching from the side, turned ghostly pale.
No one in Jexburgh laid a hand on Julius Whitethorn. Not unless they had a death wish.
Just as Fabian stepped forward, Julius shot him a sharp, silencing look. He stopped cold.
That single glance said everything. Don’t interfere.
He fixed his gaze on the woman before him.
In her wide, furious eyes burned a fire–fierce, unwavering, scorching like the midday sun. But that fire wasn’t for him. It was for another man. And somehow, that made it all the more blinding.
“Did you hear me?” Quinn snapped, her voice trembling with indignation. “Don’t drag Harlan into your games. He’s not your toy!”
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Chapter 45 Meeting Julius Again
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Julius‘ eyes narrowed, a flicker of irritation passing over his otherwise composed face.
“Then what about you?” he asked, voice low and steady. “Can you stay by my side?”
Quinn froze. “What are you talking about?”
“I mean exactly what I said. If I promise not to touch Harlan… will you stay with me?” he asked. Maybe then, he’d finally lose interest in her.
Despite the provocation in his words, he said them with disturbing calm, like he was bargaining over something inconsequential.
Quinn’s fury only deepened. Her fists clenched at her sides. What does this man take me for?
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