Chapter 0313 Ella POV Sunlight flooded into the trunk, momentarily blinding me. blinked rapidly, forcing my eyes to adjust as quickly as possible. I needed to see what was happening.
Standing over me, silhouetted by the harsh light, was Alexander.
Relief crashed over me so intensely it nearly stole my breath. For a moment, all I could feel was overwhelming gratitude that he was here. That he had come for me.
But the expression on his face stole some of that joy.
Concern flickered in his sharp gaze as he looked me over, but it quickly darkened into something elseâsomething closer to fury.
Without a word, Alexander bent down, his movements controlled but swift, and carefully helped me sit up. With a few deft tugs, he pulled the bloody shoelace from around my wrists, freeing my hands.
I flexed my fingers, the dull ache of restricted circulation setting in, but Alexander barely spared them a glance. Instead, his gaze flicked over his shoulder, locking onto my kidnapper.
The man immediately looked away, avoiding the heat of Alexanderâs glare.
I didnât understand the dynamic between them. The tension between them was palpable, but I was too drained to process it. My head swam from the lack of oxygen in the cramped trunk, the violent tumbles Iâd taken during the chase, and the throbbing pain at my temple from where I had hit my headâmore than once.
I worried, distantly, that I might have a concussion.
Maybe that was why nothing seemed to make sense right now.
Or maybe there was something more at play. Something I hadnât yet unraveled.
Even as the thought crossed my mind, I knew I wouldnât get any answersânot from Alexander. His refusal to open up to me was what had led to this mess in the first place. I couldnât expect that to change now.
But right now, I didnât care.
Because he was here.
As soon as he helped me stand and I stepped out of the trunk, emotion overwhelmed me, and before I could think better of it, I threw my arms around him, holding onto him tightly.
Alexander didnât hesitate. His arms came around me instantly, steady and strong, supporting my weight as I sagged against him.
âItâs all right,â he murmured, his voice low and soothing. Iâm here now.â
A lump formed in my throat. I wanted to cry from sheer relief, but I held it back, tightening my grip on him instead.
âYouâve injured her,â Alexander said, his voice edged with barely restrained rage. âGive me one good reason I shouldnât kill you right now.â
I looked up at him in shock.
His words were cold as ice, and the look on his face told me he wasnât bluffing or exaggerating. He meant every word.
1/3 +25 BONUS Chapter 0313 My kidnapper knew it, too. Fear flickered across his faceâaw and undeniable as he stared back at Alexander.
454 âIâm sorry,â he said weakly. âI was only following orders. I only used the force that was necessary.â
âThis level of force was necessary?â Alexander repeated skeptically, his gaze flicking down to take stock of my injuries again.
âHe didnât tie me up at first,â I said, my voice hoarse. âOnly after I escaped the first time.â
Amusement flashed briefly across Alexanderâs face, but it vanished just as quickly.
Even now, he was still using the disguised voice, and I wanted to ask him why. I wanted to ask him a million things. But this wasnât the moment. I bit the inside of my check to keep the questions inside.
Alexander turned his attention back to the man, his expression unreadable.
âIt seems my wife wants me to take pity on you,â he said, his voice deceptively calm. âThough it goes against my nature.â
The man turned to me, his head bobbing frantically. âThank you, thank you,â he stammered.
Alexander let out a quiet, humorless chuckle. âDonât thank her yet.â His voice was steel. âYouâll have to prove yourself useful before I agree to let you go.â
âHow?â the man asked eagerly. âHow can I be of use to you, sir?â
âTell me who ordered this,â Alexander ordered coldly. âAnd donât waste my time with excuses.â
The man hesitated, his gaze flicking toward me before settling back on Alexander. When he finally spoke, his voice was low but even.
âI was hired by Amanda Gray.â
I sucked in a sharp breath. âI knew it,â I whispered.
I wasnât sure why I said itâI hadnât expected any specific name. But deep down, I had suspected Amanda all along. After Davidâs arrest, she would have been furious, and she was behind my initial kidnapping. It made sense that she would strike again.
Alexander, however, remained skeptical.
âSo youâre one of Archerâs men,â he said with distaste.
âYes, sir.â
www âAnd what exactly did Amanda want you to do to my wife?â Alexander asked, his voice like a blade cutting through the air. That edge of rage crept back into his tone.
The man didnât answer.
Instead, he glanced at me, then at the car, as if calculating whether he had a chance to run.
He didnât.
We were only a few feet away, and Alexanderâs reflexes were too sharp for him to get far.
âAnswer me,â Alexander ordered, his voice deadly quiet.
The man swallowed hard.
I could see the terror in his eyesâmore than just fear of Alexanderâs wrath. There was something deeper.
2/3 Chapter 0313 Something I didnât understand.
+25 BONUS I looked up at Alexander curiously. He didnât repeat the command, didnât lash out or move to strike. He simply stood there, waiting.
The silence stretched between us.
And then, finally, the man spoke.
âI was ordered to take her over the northern border and abandon her deep in Rogue territory.â
A slow, calculated pause.
âI see,â Alexander murmured. âGet out of my sight.â
The man didnât waste time thanking Alexander. He turned on his heel, jumped into the car, and sped off, the engine roaring as he disappeared into the distance.
Alexander didnât watch him go.
Instead, he turned his full attention to me. Stooping slightly, he brushed my hair from my eyes, his fingers gentle as they traced over one of the bumps on my head.
âAre you all right?â he asked, his voice softer now.
âIâll be fine,â I said, forcing a small smile. âJust a little banged up from rolling around in the trunk.â
His expression darkened. âIâm sorry about that,â he said sincerely. âIf Iâd known you were back there, I wouldnât have driven so recklessly.â
âItâs okay,â I reassured him. âIâm just glad you came for me.â
Alexander scoffed, as if the idea that he wouldnât had been ridiculous. âOf course I came for you.â
His certainty warmed something deep inside me.
âCome on,â he said, slipping an arm around me. âLetâs get you home and have the doctor look you over, just to be safe.â
I nodded. âOkay.â
We walked to the car together, the silence stretching between us. There were a million things I wanted to say, a thousand questions lingering on my tongue. But for now, I stayed quiet, focusing only on the safety of Alexanderâs carâand on putting this nightmare behind me.
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