Chapter 103: Chapter 17

MANDY

Suddenly, I’m being hurled and smashed against a car, pinned down. I struggle fiercely, reaching for my guns. Just as I’m about to grab them, a sharp sting hits my neck and my muscles go slack.

I can feel sleep creeping in, my vision fading to black. What the hell just happened? One moment I was standing on the sidewalk, the next I was shoved down by a guard and gunfire broke out.

I have no idea how long I was unconscious, but I’m abruptly awakened by a splash of icy water. I attempt to stand, but my hands and legs are bound together. I glance around, taking in the cement walls and the man sitting on a chair in front of me.

It’s too dark to make out his features. Panic sets in as I struggle against the ropes, the friction burning my wrists.

“Keep struggling against the ropes. It’s quite a sight,” he says.

I freeze. I recognize that voice, and a shiver runs down my spine.

I quickly shield my eyes as the light flicks on. I attempt to sit up, but I’m flipped onto my back, the man looming over me.

Tears well up in my eyes. I never thought I’d see him again.

“So, when were you planning on telling me? Or your husband? Why didn’t you tell Nate? Did you think he’d believe the story about Craig?”

He leans in, kissing my neck. I squirm, trying to escape, but he yanks my hair back, holding me in place.

I can feel his arousal pressing against me. I continue to work on the ropes, ignoring the pain, when the door swings open.

“We need to move, boss!”

“Damn, I was just starting to enjoy myself,” he says.

He hoists me up and throws me over his shoulder, slapping my ass.

I yelp, and he laughs at my reaction.

“Your ass is still as incredible as I remember, babe! Can’t wait to have you again. You always did like it rough.”

He carries me down a hallway and throws me into a car, sliding in next to me.

I try to move away, but he pulls me back. The car lurches forward, speeding off.

A phone rings, and I hear Nate’s voice over the speaker.

“Who the hell is this? If you lay a finger on her—”

“Shut up, Nate! I wouldn’t touch her unless she wanted it rough again!”

“You sick bastard!”

“Now, now, Nate. Is that any way to talk to me when I have your girl? Besides, she has something to tell you, don’t you, babe?”

“Nate, I’m so sorry!”

“What’s he talking about, Mandy? What information?”

“Go on, Mandy. Tell your loving husband what you’ve been hiding all these years.”

“Antonio, I can’t!”

“Tell him, Mandy!”

“Craig wasn’t Mason’s father.”

EVA

I hear Mandy’s words over the phone, and my heart sinks. That’s why she wanted to escape him. Mason wasn’t Craig’s son; he was Antonio’s.

I rush outside, barking orders. I see Caden arguing with the hospital staff across the street. I run over, trying to understand what’s happening.

“Mr. Maxwell, you need to come back. You’re not in any condition—”

Caden pulls out a gun, pointing it at the doctor’s head. The doctor backs away, hands raised, signaling for everyone else to do the same.

“Caden, what the hell are you doing? You need treatment!”

“Don’t tell me what I need, Eva! My daughter’s been kidnapped by that bastard, and I’m going to get her back!”

“Caden, we’ll get her back. But there’s something you need to know about Mason.”

“I already know. Did you think you were the only one she confided in? I confronted her about their past relationship. She denied it at first, but eventually admitted the truth. She never told him about the kid. Have you ever seen a picture of Antonio?”

I shake my head. He shows me a photo, and I gasp, covering my mouth.

It’s an older version of Mason. Tears start to fall.

“Caden, you can’t go. You need to stay here.”

“Enough, Eva! I’m going to get my daughter back and end this. If it’s the last thing I do, so be it. My job has always been to protect my family. That’s not going to change now. I’ll say it one last time, Eva. No one messes with the Maxwells or our girls!”

He starts barking orders, and men begin loading into SUVs. He pushes me toward one, then crosses the street to take the phone from Nate.

“Listen here, you little shit! You’ve messed with the wrong family. I’ll kill you myself, I guarantee it!”

“Bring it on, old man! Catch me if you can!”

He hangs up and jumps into the car, opening a laptop. He smiles, and we all look at the screen.

There’s a small dot moving, surrounded by several others. We look at him, waiting for an explanation.

“Every man got their women a necklace. The jewelers always put chips in them. I always know where everyone is. He doesn’t know because I never ordered it after Eva. The jeweler just did it automatically.”

“He always buys stock. How did he know what we’d want?” one of the men asks.

“He only buys pieces with chips in them. Once he puts it in the box, it is activated. Now, Nate, let’s go get your girl!”