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.

the back seat. Following the kidnappers' instructions,

agreed drop-off, Magnus's phone buzzed with a

frowned. He'd positioned bodyguards all around this

spun the car around, heading for the new

stupid," Gideon said, voice tight. "If you can save them both, do it. But if it comes

arrived at the base of a rocky ridge—the kidnappers' final

no way to drive up. The two men abandoned the car and scrambled up

***

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

nerves stretched to the breaking point—just as the kidnappers emerged, hauling their hostages to

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

expression was thunderous as he glared at the men holding Elise and Isadora captive. He tossed the heavy bag across the ground, each word deliberate. "There's five million here. Let them both

the kidnapper's eyes, his throat bobbing as he swallowed

his head, almost regretful. "We only want two million. But you

insane to cross me like this. Let them go,

the kidnappers falter for

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

shouted, "Pick Elise! The woman in the dark green dress-Magnus,

slipped off, leaving her looking heartbreakingly fragile, her eyes shimmering with

I'm scared...

still