Never Again Yours (Isadora and Magnus)

Chapter 182

These days, kidnappers were getting ridiculous-not only did they want money, now they wanted to force you into impossible choices.

"So, who are you going to ransom?" Gideon asked quietly.

Magnus gripped his phone, refusing to answer.

"Elise is so fragile she must be terrified. Isadora's tougher, she can hang on longer. Let's get Elise out first, then we'll go back for Isadora," Gideon pressed.

Magnus's jaw clenched, his face like stone. “Neither of them is going to get hurt. I won't allow it."

"Magnus, the kidnappers are making the rules. If you don't pick, you could lose them both. Don't hesitate-choose Elise!" Gideon urged.

Memories of Isadora's past kidnapping flashed through Magnus's mind. He hadn't believed her then-and he'd nearly lost her because of it. He swore he'd never let go of her again.

But then there was Elise...

For a moment, Magnus found himself paralyzed, unable to choose.

"I'll give them five million," he said at last, his voice low and hard. "I want both women back. I'll arrange security to be stationed nearby, ready to intervene."

Without so much as a flicker of emotion, Gideon sent an audio recording from his phone to a number he'd prepared.

***

The next morning.

of cash stashed in the back seat. Following the kidnappers' instructions, they drove out of the

phone buzzed with a new message: the location

this area—now, with the switch, his

heading for

tight. "If you can save them both, do it. But if

the base of a rocky ridge—the

was no way to drive up. The two men abandoned the

***

gagged both Isadora and Elise with strips of cloth. Each woman was dragged by a different kidnapper up the

reached the top-hearts pounding, nerves stretched to the breaking point—just as

face marred by a jagged scar, sneered. "Mr. Wainwright,

men holding Elise and Isadora captive. He tossed the heavy bag across the

sum, avarice flickered in the kidnapper's eyes, his throat bobbing as he swallowed

then he shook his head, almost regretful. "We only want two million. But you have to

at Magnus's temple. "You're insane to cross me like this. Let them

made the kidnappers

with that much cash. Choose now. If you

in the dark green dress-Magnus, say something!

slipped off, leaving her looking heartbreakingly fragile,

scared...

mouth was still