DEVON THORNE
"Sir, Mr. Ward is on the phone."
Devon stopped reading the report on his desk and looked up at his bodyguard-assistant, Gibson. Kellan Ward didn't contact anyone casually. Devon held out his hand and Gibson gave him the cell.
"Mr. Ward. What can I do for you?"
"My wife was taken to the hospital on your compound. I would like to retrieve her."
Devon frowned. "Who is she?"
"Aurora Moon."
Damn. Aurora Moon was married to Kellan Ward? "Miss Moon is under my protection. I will not release her."
The pause on the other end of the line was heavy enough that even Devon could feel its weight.
"Will you allow me to accompany her?" asked Kellan.
Devon wasn't afraid of anyone or anything in Ash City, but if he were prone to fear, Kellan Ward would merit such emotion. "My promise to guard Miss Moon as she recuperates includes not letting you near her."
"So you must be in debt to Ryder Hamilton. I admit he looks a lot like Aurora. I did DNA tests and they are, indeed, brother and sister. Twins, in fact."
Devon processed Kellan's nonchalantly delivered remarks. "Mr. Hamilton is in your care?"
"Yes, and he has company, too. I think he and Annabeth Saint are getting along particularly well."
Cold filled every pore of Devon's body. "Touch a single hair on her head and I'll kill Aurora Moon."
"Do you think anyone you remotely like will survive annihilation if you harm my wife?"
"I suggest you don't use the nuclear option then, Mr. Ward. Unless you want mutually assured destruction."
"I just want my wife," said Kellan.
If Devon didn't know better, he might believe that a wisp of desperation clung to Kellan's tone. Maybe it did. If Kellan felt even a fourth of what Devon harbored for Annabeth, then he understood perfectly what tormented Kellan in this moment.
"Let me speak to Ryder."
A few moments passed and then he heard his friend's voice. "Devon. How's Aurora?"
"Safe. Recovering from the wounds she inflicted on herself. She's been sedated."
"He hasn't hurt either one of us ... yet."
"I owe you, Ryder. And I will return the favor."
"But you're giving this psycho my sister," said Ryder with a sigh.
"Yes. I will not risk Annabeth for anyone. Not even myself. She's too precious."
"You sound like him."
"We are alike," said Devon. "But Kellan has less of a conscience than I do. He is motivated by what gets him the most benefit. His only weakness is Aurora Moon."
"I understand."
A couple seconds later, Kellan returned to the call. "I will bring Annabeth to exchange for Aurora. But I will not release her until Aurora and I are clear of the compound."
"I want Ryder Hamilton, too."
"No. Aurora decides what happens to her brother."
Devon grimaced. What else could he do? Ryder was his brother-in-arms, but Annabeth was his soulmate. He knew Ryder well enough to understand he could escape when he wanted to ... even from Kellan Ward.
"I agree to your terms."
"I know you're a man of your word, Mr. Thorne. I trust nothing will go awry during our transaction."
"It will not."
"An hour, then."
"Understood." Devon ended the call. He glared at Gibson. "How the hell did Kellan Ward get his hands on Annabeth Saint? Isn't she under twenty-four protection? Why didn't I know she'd been kidnapped?"
"I'll find out, sir."
"Those bodyguards better be dead," said Devon. "And if they aren't, then punish them so that they wished they were dead."
"Yes, Mr. Thorne."
***|***|***
AIDEN CROSS
Aiden's wounds were healing slowly. He faded in and out of consciousness. When he was awake, which never lasted more than a few minutes, Ivy Crane was by his side.
"Where am I?" he asked, his voice hoarse.
"I took you abroad for treatment. When you're fully recovered, we'll figure out what to do about my bitch sister." She snorted. "Did you know Kellan Ward gave her his entire fortune? She's officially richer than God."
Aiden coughed and Ivy helped him drink some warm water.
"Are they married?" he asked.
"They got the certificate, so yes, they're a legal couple. It'll be harder to get to Aurora now." She pulled the covers up to his chin. "Rest. Take your medicine. Get healthy. Revenge will be ours, I promise."
Exhausted, Aiden closed his eyes. During his periods of unconsciousness, he'd been having nightmares. Every time he woke up, these dark dreams took on a hazy quality. He could remember the feelings invoked, but not the actual reveries.
For some reason, Ivy's presence unnerved him. Something wasn't right. Before Aurora tried to beat him to death, all he could think about was being with Ivy and living the good life on Aurora's dime. He wanted her money. And he wanted to give the Moonlight fashion company to Ivy.
After all, he owed her for saving his life when he was just a kid. While Aurora pursued him, he pursued Ivy. And Ivy was fixated on making her half-sister suffer. Before, Aiden never cared why.
But now ... a headache throbbed in his temples. Even with the pain pulsating in his head, Aiden slipped back into unconsciousness.
And into the nightmares...
***|***|***
DEIDRE GARRETT
Deidre sat in the corner of the dark room with her legs drawn up, hugging herself. Her whole body ached from getting beaten and slapped. Her lip had split open and blood had dried on her face.
She should have never messed with Kellan Ward or threatened his precious Aurora Moon. Kellan was cruel. He was crazy. And he could very well kill her.
She didn't care anymore about becoming Mrs. Ward. The idea of being married to that psycho made her shudder with revulsion.
The door to the room opened, and a slice of bright light revealed the hulking form of Gibson. She'd always thought he was a brute, and she'd been right. He'd been the one to beat her. And he did it without emotion. No anger, but no empathy, either.
Gibson slowly walked toward her, his steps echoing in the empty room. Her hammered in her chest, and her entire body went ice cold.
"Wh-what are you doing?"
Gibson squatted down next to her, a knife in his hand. He used the tip of the blade to tilt her chin up. Tears filled her eyes, but crying was no use. Gibson was as heartless as his boss.
"You have a choice, Miss Garrett. You can leave Ash City and never return. Or..." He put the blade against her neck and pressed hard enough to cut her skin.
She choked back a scream and started shaking so hard, her teeth rattled. Her bladder gave way, but she'd already urinated on herself, and there was nothing left.
"I'll give you to the count of three to decide. One... two..."