Never Mistake a Queen for a Lapdog novel Chapter 414

The world spun, and then a gunshot shattered the air.

Noreen heard a pained grunt, and the metallic scent of blood filled her nostrils. Her rescuer had been shot.

“I’ll kill you, you son of a bitch!” Pete screamed, charging forward with the bat.

Once again, the world tilted as someone shielded her with their body, rolling them both out of the way. She heard several dull thuds as the bat connected with the arm wrapped around her. Her head struck something hard, and everything went black.

…

Noreen awoke to a splitting headache and the sound of sobbing.

“Why isn’t Noreen waking up? What if she never wakes up? What are we going to do? Waaaah…”

“Even if Noreen is in a coma forever, I’ll take care of you for the rest of my life! Waaaah…”

The crying made Noreen’s head throb even more. With all her strength, she managed to twitch the hand that Sophia was clutching. But Sophia was too lost in her grief to notice.

It was Vincent who saw Noreen’s eyes flutter open. “Quick, call the doctor! Ms. Gilmore is awake!”

Sophia’s wails choked off abruptly. She wiped at her tear-streaked face and, seeing that Noreen was indeed awake, frantically pressed the call button.

After a flurry of activity, a doctor came in to examine her. Mrs. Joyner, supported by a maid, also entered the room, her voice weak but filled with concern. “Doctor, how is she?”

Reassured, Noreen’s mind drifted off again, and she fell back into a deep sleep, not waking until noon the next day. Her head was still spinning, but it was better than before. Her thoughts were finally starting to clear.

Sophia was chattering away, filling her in on what had happened. Castle had apprehended the kidnappers and turned them over to the police, ensuring they would be prosecuted to the fullest extent of the law. Kidnapping was a major felony there; none of them would escape justice. She also mentioned that Mrs. Joyner had collapsed from the shock of the news and had been admitted to the room next door. She had been checking on Noreen constantly, worried sick.

“Help me up,” Noreen said. “I want to see her.”

“Absolutely not!” Sophia protested. “The doctor said you have to stay in bed, or you’ll get sick and dizzy and could fall.”

“Besides Mrs. Joyner, was anyone else admitted to the hospital?” Noreen asked. The events were a blur, but she distinctly remembered someone taking a bullet for her.

***