AURORA MOON
It wasn't easy to love a madman.
Kellan visited her for the next three days, but he wouldn't hear a word about releasing her. The basement level of the house became her prison. The cage ... her prison within the prison.
Aurora wanted to be patient with her husband, but it was difficult given her hatred of the confined space.
He brought egg noodles. Cakes. Books. Soothing words. Games. Tea. Stuffed animals. He gave her anything she wanted.
Except freedom.
On the fourth day of her confinement, Kellan didn't visit her. She waited all day, and finally, that night, she fell into a restless sleep. She tossed and turned and dreamed about her previous life. About her horrible, painful death.
"Aurora."
She opened her eyes...
...and saw Ryder Hamilton standing next to her bed. He put a finger to his lips, and she nodded. He sat down. The low light of the small nightstand lamp shadowed his face.
"Why are you here?" she whispered.
"To rescue you."
"I don't need rescuing."
"You're a prisoner, Aurora. I can take you out of here."
"Getting in is easier than getting out." She crossed her arms and frowned. "Aren't you afraid Kellan will catch you?"
Ryder snorted. "I let him keep me for the last four days. I'm bored now." He took her hand and pulled her. "Let's go."
She yanked her arm out of his grasp. "You go. Leave me alone."
"Man, he's really done on a number on you."
"I know what I'm doing. He's been in my life far longer than you." She pointed toward the cage door. "Get out."
"You can go on your own, or I can take you. But you're leaving here tonight."
"I don't even know you. I didn't asked to be rescued." She made shooing motions. "I don't care what kind of Houdini moves you pulled to escape, Kellan will come for you."
"If Kellan Ward catches me, I'll have to give up my spy card." He flashed a grin that reminded her so much of Mom's that she felt a catch in her chest.
"I don't want to leave, Ryder. Truly. Kellan is the only person I trust. I love him."
"So you're not leaving on your own. Got it." He stood up, picked her up, and threw her over his shoulder. "You're the only family I have left. I'm not letting you shack up with this psycho."
"We're married."
"I have a hundred ways to get you divorced tomorrow."
"Put me down, I can walk."
Ryder did as she demanded. She immediately dove back onto the bed. She scrambled for manacles that had been welded to the cage bars, and locked herself in.
"What the hell are you doing?"
"Making my own choice. Please go, Ryder. I don't want you to be hurt, but I don't want to go with you."
Ryder grabbed the manacles and studied the chunky metal cuffs.
"You won't be able to unlock them. They require a special key and a code."
"Aurora." He looked at her, and she saw the worry in his gaze. "Please."
"No."
Ryder's shoulder slumped. "Fine. I'll go. For now. But I'll return for you, sis."
"It would be better if you didn't."
"Stubborn." He reached down and pinched her cheek. "I won't give up on you."
"And I won't give up on him."
Ryder gave her one last, sad look, and then left. He closed and locked the cage door behind him. She wondered how he'd gotten the key. Spy or not, Ryder couldn't possibly thwart Kellan's state-of-the-art security systems.
How on earth had Ryder defeated all the protection measures Kellan had put into place?
***|***|***
KELLAN WARD
On his phone, Kellan watched Ryder Hamilton leave the basement and walk down the hallway to Kellan's study. After he entered, he tossed the key onto the CEO's desk.
"What did you do to my sister? She refuses to leave you."
"We made a deal, Mr. Hamilton. If Aurora chose to go with you, I wouldn't interfere. If she chose to stay, you would leave us alone."
"I didn't say for how long," said Ryder. He sat in the chair near the desk and met Kellan's gaze. "She's my sister. The only blood relative I have left. We shared a womb together."
"If Aurora wants you in her life, I won't object. For now, however, I want you to get the hell out of my house."
Ryder shook his head. "The two of you are crazy." He stood up. "Fine. I'm going. But you'll see me again ... brother-in-law."
Kellan wasn't sorry to see Ryder Hamilton walk out the door, but he was secretly pleased to be called "brother-in-law."
Jingyu appeared in the doorway. "Mr. Hamilton has left the property, sir."
"Good." Kellan rose from the desk and pocketed his phone.
"Do you want your usual sleeping tonic before bed, sir?"
"No, thank you," said Kellan. "I'm going to try something different tonight."
Jingyu bowed and left the study.
Kellan went to the basement. To the cage. To his little butterfly.
Aurora had fallen asleep sitting up, her thin, pale arms trapped in the cold, thick cuffs.
"You chose me," he whispered as he removed the manacles. "I won't let you down, Aurora Moon. I won't let you regret."
He scooped her into his arms and she sighed, rubbing her head against his chest like a sleepy kitten. His heart started racing as she cuddled in his arms.
His wife.
Aurora Moon was officially his wife. He carried to their bedroom and tucked her under the covers. She rolled onto her side, and settled back into sleep.
Kellan took a shower and dressed in silk pajamas. Then he slipped into the bed where his beautiful wife (wife! she's my wife!) slept. She'd rolled onto her other side, half-curled like a cooked shrimp.
He scooted across the bed and dragged her into his arms. She scooted against him, using his arm as her new pillow. He wrapped his free arm around her waist and breathed the scent of her hair.
"I love you, little butterfly." His kissed the nape of her neck. "We'll never be apart again."