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.

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

agreed drop-off, Magnus's phone buzzed with a new message: the

all around this area—now, with the switch, his plan was

the car around, heading for the

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

arrived at the base of

men abandoned the car and scrambled up the rough path, climbing toward the

***

the other side of the mountain, the kidnappers had gagged both Isadora and Elise with strips of cloth. Each

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

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

captive. He tossed the heavy bag across the ground, each word deliberate. "There's five million here. Let them

the kidnapper's eyes,

only want two million. But

me like this.

kidnappers

much cash. Choose now. If

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

had slipped off, leaving her looking heartbreakingly fragile,

I'm scared... please save

mouth was still sealed