Saintess's Worthless Husband Turned Dragon Commander novel Chapter 49

Chapter 49

Maurice Yarrow sat in the back of his Mercedes S-Class as it roared down the Reilly Expressway, his face flushed with anticipation. Beside him, his most trusted lieutenants shared his excitement-finally, after years of careful maneuvering, Aaron Jackson was trapped.

“Sonny said they had Jackson cornered at Black Wind,” his second-in-command, Vincent Cross, reported with satisfaction. “Tiger’s with him. Between the two of them and our men, Jackson won’t make it out alive.”

“This is it,” Yarrow said, unable to contain his grin. “Once Jackson’s gone, Grayson City opens up completely. His territory, his operations, his connections-all ours for the taking.”

His phone rang, and Yarrow answered eagerly, expecting confirmation of Aaron’s death. “Is it done? Tell me Jackson’s-”

“This is Marcus Steel,” a calm voice interrupted. “I believe you’re looking for your deputy manager, Sonny Ridge?

Yarrow’s grin froze. “Who the hell is-”

“The man who just destroyed your Black Wind operation,” Marcus continued pleasantly. “Sonny’s here with me. So is what’s left of Tiger. Would you like to speak with them? Though I should warn you, Tiger’s not very talkative at the moment. Skull fracture tends to do that.”

“WHAT?” Yarrow’s voice rose to a roar. “Where’s Jackson? Where are my men?”

“Aaron Jackson is fine. Your men are… less fine. Some are unconscious. Some are in pieces. Most will need extended hospital stays.” Marcus’s voice carried casual amusement. “But Sonny’s alive! Mostly. Missing both hands, but alive. I’m a man of my word–he made a bet, he lost, he paid the agreed-upon price.”

“You broke his HANDS?” Yarrow’s face went purple with rage.

“I kept them, actually,” Marcus corrected. “Thought you might want them back. Along with Sonny. For a price.”

“A PRICE?” Yarrow was practically shrieking now. “You attack my organization, cripple my deputy manager, and now you want MONEY?”

“Two hundred million,” Marcus said calmly. “Cash. If you want Sonny back alive and relatively intact.”

Silence on the line as Yarrow processed this.

“Actually,” Marcus continued thoughtfully, “your tone is disrespectful. Let’s make it four hundred million. And before you refuse-remember that I also have all of Black Wind’s records. Client lists. Transaction histories. Every criminal deal that’s gone through that establishment for the past five years. The kind of information that could destroy the Three Blade Group completely if it reached the right authorities.”

Yarrow’s hand shook so badly he nearly dropped the phone. His dreams of easy victory had transformed into a nightmare in the space of one phone call.

“You have twelve hours,” Marcus said pleasantly. “I’ll be in touch with pickup instructions. Oh, and Maurice? If you’re thinking about trying to rescue Sonny instead of paying-remember what happened to Tiger. He was your top ten bodyguard, and I ended him in five seconds. Think carefully about whether the rest of your men will do any better.”

The call ended.

Yarrow stared at his phone, his face cycling through emotions too quickly to track. Then he hurled it against the

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“Yes, ma’am, you do. But your husband-”

“Is my new secretary,” Quinn interrupted, her Saintess aura flaring brilliantly, golden light filling the lobby and making everyone take involuntary steps backward. “As of this moment. Marcus Steel is officially employed by Hartford Group as my personal assistant. Which means he has clearance to go wherever I go.”

The security guard’s confidence faltered. “Ma’am, I don’t have paperwork for-”

“Then create the paperwork,” Quinn’s voice carried divine authority that made even skeptics feel compelled to obey. “Or do you plan to continue blocking a Sacred Saintess from entering her own workplace?”

The emphasis on her title made Derek go pale. Disrespecting Quinn Hartford was one thing. Disrespecting a Sacred Saintess-someone whose divine bloodline predated most of Grayson City’s institutions-was something else entirely.

“I… I’ll call Mr. Oliver Hartford,” Derek stammered.

“You do that,” Quinn said coldly. “Tell him that Quinn Hartford just made an executive hiring decision. Tell him that my husband now works for this company. And tell him-” her eyes swept across the gathered employees, many of whom had been whispering mockery moments ago, “-that anyone who disrespects Marcus Steel disrespects me. Anyone who treats him as less than a valued employee treats the Sacred Saintess herself with contempt.”

She stepped into the elevator, Marcus following calmly, and pressed the button for the executive floor.

“And Derek?” Quinn added as the doors began to close. “If you ever block my husband’s access again, I’ll have you fired. Not through Oliver. Not through my father. Through me. Directly. Do you understand?”

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