Chapter 11
“Thought you came out here to sober up. What the hell took you so long?”
I took the handkerchief, slightly surprised.
“Never thought Mr. Kane would come looking for me personally.”
“Don’t flatter yourself. I’m just curious–who were you meeting with?” He raised an eyebrow with obvious suspicion.
I smiled. “Should’ve known nothing gets past you.”
“Miss Blackwood.” He leaned in closer, his gaze intense. “Working with me requires absolute loyalty. Otherwise…”
Ever since he’d caught me digging into Kane Industries‘ finances, he’d been watching me like a hawk.
But I couldn’t exactly tell him I’d been investigating him because I didn’t trust him either.
That would totally kill our partnership vibe.
I placed my hand over his mouth.
“Relax. I definitely wasn’t sneaking around meeting your mortal enemy or anything like that.”
He raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further.
***
I had no idea what Ethan was thinking.
I never saw him again after that night, and he stopped interfering with my plans.
The Blackwood empire kept spiraling downward.
The day Kane Industries announced they were acquiring Blackwood Corp, I was supposed to go with him.
Our deal was simple–I help him secure his inheritance, he helps me destroy the Blackwoods.
But the moment I stepped outside, everything I saw went black and I passed out.
When I came to, I was lying in some unfamiliar estate.
My wrists and ankles were tied to the bed.
“Sorry, babe. Just taking some precautions.”
That familiar voice made my blood run cold.
“Ethan!”
Chapter 11
I stared at him in shock, then pure rage. “Let me go!”
He sat on the edge of the bed, gently touching my face.
“Can’t do that. You said if I tried to take you away, you’d kill yourself. Even if you don’t mean it, I’m not taking any chances.”
“This is kidnapping!”
“Obviously.” He smiled. “That’s why I’m prepared to never go back. This island is going to be our home forever.”
I stared at him in disbelief.
“What the hell are you talking about?”
He leaned closer.
“I’ve been searching for the perfect place for us. I traveled the whole world to find this–remote, temperate climate year–round, just like you love.”
“Ava, I know you’re pissed at me. That’s fine. I’ve got decades to make it up to you. Once you stop threatening to hurt yourself, I’ll untie you.”
His eyes were filled with obsessive devotion.
“Trust me, Ava. Even on this island, I’ll give you the best life possible.”
I turned my head away, refusing to look at him.
He chuckled. “Thinking Lucas Kane will come to rescue you? Today’s the day he takes over Blackwood Corp. Miss
this chance, and there won’t be another one.”
I gritted my teeth.
He was right.
Kane and I were business partners, nothing more. This was his moment to cash in.
Whatever feelings we might have couldn’t possibly be enough for him to risk everything to save me.
Besides, with Ethan’s resources, even if Kane wanted to find me, he’d never track down this location.
“Ava.”
He pressed his forehead against mine.
“Let’s have a daughter. I want to see what you looked like as a little girl.”
“Trapped together, just you and me.”
“No…” Tears slipped down my cheeks. “Let me go!”
Chapter 11
Just as he was about to kiss me, alarms started blaring.
Ethan pulled away from me.
He glanced at the security monitors and actually smiled as he pulled out a gun.
“Lucas Kane actually had the balls to come here?”
“Lucas?” I blinked in surprise.
Ethan loaded a round into the chamber. ” After he dies here, this island will probably have to be shut down for a
while.”
“No! Ethan!”
I tried to stop him, but he was already heading for the door.
