Chapter 6
Ethan couldn’t focus at the birthday party. []
That phone call kept replaying in his head. []
He said something to Jason, who was talking to Madison, then walked off to find somewhere quiet.[]
He tried calling the number back.
[Sorry, the number you have dialed is not in service…]]
His heart clenched tight, and he tried calling again, but got the same automated message.]].
The frantic voice was still ringing in his ears. “They injected me with something, and they’re gonna cut off my fingers!”
“You promised you wouldn’t let anything happen to me…”
But this was Madison’s birthday. She’d been looking forward to it for weeks. She even asked him to save her a dance.
Ethan clenched his jaw and made another call. “Get five million together. Now.”
“Ethan?” A soft voice came from behind him. I
He turned around. Madison stood in the moonlit garden like an angel, her white dress sparkling with diamonds. “Why’d you ditch me and run off?”
She walked up to him, starlight reflected in her eyes.
Ethan’s Adam’s apple bobbed. “Ava… she might be in real danger.”
“Oh, come on.” Madison straightened his collar, her fingers trailing across his chest.
“Those kidnappers treated me like a queen. I even got fruit platters every day.” N
“Look at me–do you see a single mark? A single bruise?“]
“They need the money, so they won’t hurt her.” []
“You know how Ava gets–always so dramatic. She’s probably just freaking out because we haven’t responded in three days, worried we don’t care about her anymore.“]
Ethan hesitated. “But what if-“]
“Stop.” Madison cupped his face in her hands. “You promised me a dance. Tomorrow we’ll all go get Ava together. You’re not gonna break your promise to me… are you?“]
Madison’s perfume filled his senses. Ethan’s breathing hitched. His arms instinctively circled her waist.]
At that time, his phone suddenly rang.
He answered irritably. I
Chapter 6
“Never mind about the money, I-“]
“What did you just say?!“[]
The phone nearly slipped from his hands. []
Madison blinked in confusion. []
“Ethan? Hey!”
But he’d already pushed past her and was running toward the exit.]
