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.

duffel bag of cash stashed in the back seat.

as they neared the agreed drop-off, Magnus's phone buzzed with a

frowned. He'd positioned bodyguards all around this area—now, with the switch, his plan

the car around, heading for

Gideon said, voice tight. "If you can save them both, do it.

the base of a rocky ridge—the

was no way to drive up. The two men abandoned the car and scrambled up the rough path, climbing

***

gagged both Isadora and Elise with strips of cloth. Each

the breaking

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

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

the mention of the sum, avarice flickered in the kidnapper's

"We only want two million. But you have

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

the kidnappers falter for a

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

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

leaving her looking

I'm scared... please

was still sealed tight, unable