Ex Cried as I Wed a Tycoon

Chapter 46

Effie couldn't help but knit her brows. Was she... kidnapped?

She forced herself to stay calm.

Shifting her aching body, she tried to get her bearings. Her wrists were tied tightly behind her back with coarse rope, her ankles bound so she couldn't move. The air was heavy with a damp, moldy stench, laced with the sharp, chemical bite of ether that made her stomach churn.

"Who... who are you? Why did you bring me here? I don't have any money," Effie croaked, her voice hoarse.

She took a shaky breath, willing herself not to panic.

One of the kidnappers, a bald man, snorted. "Cut the act, sweetheart. We know all about that fat stack of cash you just got your hands on. Think you can trick us? You're not nearly clever enough."

Effie's heart lurched. The only ones who knew about the money from selling her shares were Mitchell and Suzan-or so she thought.

The payment had only come through yesterday, and now here she was, kidnapped the very next day.

was fast. Too

Just look at me-my clothes, my bag-together

two men exchanged a

his pocket. Its blade gleamed coldly in the dim light as he slowly brought it

"Don't play games with us,

keep her voice steady. "But if there's no money,

but she forced herself not

men were clearly unsatisfied. "What about your

faint, bitter sigh. "I don't have anyone

guy grunted, impatient. "Enough with the sob story. If there's no cash, there's no point in wasting our time. Maybe we'll just have our fun with you instead. That's

leering. "Yeah, it's been a while

Effie's blouse, lingering on her pale skin. He swallowed,

compromising photos. But now, if there was no ransom, they figured

her, her blood freezing in her veins. She hadn't expected

calm, she told herself over and