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

lips together and put on her best pitiful face. "You guys must have the wrong info. Just look at me-my clothes, my bag-together they're not

two men

his pocket. Its blade gleamed

rough and menacing, "Don't play games with

steady. "But if there's no money, then I guess

hammered in her chest, but she forced herself not to look away

unsatisfied. "What about your family? Surely someone would

"I don't have anyone left. My mom's gone, and

sob story. If there's no cash, there's no point in wasting our time. Maybe we'll just have our fun

it's been a while since

drifted down to the 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

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

calm, she told herself over and over.