Queen of Wild Cards novel Chapter 284

Stella quickly dialed Julius's number. When the call connected, she noticed the contact name saved on the screen simply read "Boss."

Wait. This guy worked for Julius?

Had she just held a knife to the throat of her husband's employee?

She vaguely remembered Julius mentioning he had an operative running surveillance near Gideon's location.

Currently hiding in a bathroom inside the villa, Julius felt his phone vibrate. Seeing Wade's name, he answered in a low whisper, "Yeah?"

"Julius, it's me. We're out in the orchard. I didn't realize this guy worked for you; he told us he was a cop. I made him give me his phone. Where are you?"

"I know. Just follow him; he's my inside guy for the surveillance. We'll reunite shortly."

"Got it." Stella hung up and handed the phone back to Wade, suddenly feeling incredibly awkward. "So, uh, my bad. I thought you were one of them."

Wade gave a wry smile. "Don't sweat it. Paranoia keeps you alive. Let's move out."

With that sorted, he led the three women away from the immediate danger zone.

After hanging up, Julius pocketed his phone. He was still deep inside the villa, while a chaotic firefight between the cartel and law enforcement erupted outside.

Since Stella had successfully extracted the hostages, there was zero reason for him to play it safe anymore.

He decided to flank the hostiles from the inside and end this gridlock once and for all.

The cops were completely paralyzed, assuming the criminals still held innocent lives on the premises.

Gideon's forces were bunkered down inside, the SWAT team was pinned outside, and nobody was making a move.

Julius fired off a quick tactical text, then began hunting for targets in the dark corridors.

He hadn't forgotten Ian Eames's frantic plea, though. Turning to Cecilia, he said, "Cecilia, I'm a friend of your brother. I'll call Ian right now. Go with the officers to give your statement; he'll be there to pick you up shortly."

Thanks to his connections, Stella's official statement could wait until tomorrow.

As for the mute woman, the authorities would ensure she got the care she needed.

Cecilia was floored. Stella was actually married to Julius Blackwood? Running in the same elite circles, she knew exactly who he was—the ruthless CEO of the Blackwood Empire, and indeed, Ian's close associate.

"Thank you, Mr. Blackwood," she said politely. Then she beamed at Stella. "Stella, I'll see you around!"

Now that she knew Stella was connected to Julius, tracking her down would be easy. She'd just have Ian get her number.

She was definitely treating her hero to a royal banquet the first chance she got!