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

her best pitiful face. "You guys must have the wrong info. Just look at me-my clothes, my bag-together they're not even worth thirty bucks. I just got fired, too. Do I really

men

the other one-the one with the scar across his cheek-pulled a small knife from his pocket. Its blade gleamed coldly in the dim light as he

"Don't play

want," Effie said, trying to keep her voice steady. "But if there's no money, then I guess

she forced herself not to look away

were clearly unsatisfied. "What about your family? Surely someone would pay

"I don't have anyone left. My mom's gone, and my dad-well, he

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 worth

been a while since we've had

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

hired to take some compromising photos. But now, if there was no ransom, they figured they'd get paid another

felt a wave of cold terror crash through her, her blood freezing in her veins. She hadn't expected

herself over and over. Think. What do