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.

Gideon climbed into the car, a hefty duffel bag of cash stashed in the back seat. Following the kidnappers'

drop-off, Magnus's phone buzzed with a

positioned bodyguards all around this area—now, with the

the car around, heading for the

voice tight. "If you can save them both, do it. But if it comes down to it, save Elise.

at the base of a rocky

way to drive up. The two men abandoned the car and scrambled up the rough path, climbing toward

***

on the other side of the mountain, the kidnappers had gagged both Isadora and Elise with strips of cloth. Each woman was dragged by a different kidnapper up the winding trail toward the cliff's

the breaking point—just as the kidnappers

by a jagged scar, sneered. "Mr. Wainwright, both your precious ladies are

Elise and Isadora captive. He tossed the heavy

sum, avarice flickered in the kidnapper's

almost regretful. "We only want

"You're insane to cross me like this. Let them go, and I'll let

the kidnappers falter

that much cash. Choose now. If you don't, both of them go

dark green dress-Magnus, say something! Don't you

slipped off, leaving her looking heartbreakingly fragile, her

scared... please

was still sealed tight,