Magnus had barely finished speaking.


    A flicker of hurt shed in Isadora''s eyes.


    She wondered if she''d lost her mind-why else would she let herself hope, even


    for a second, that Magnus might choose her this time?


    But Elise''s eyes lit up with triumph. The corners of her lips curled into a sly, satisfied smile as she shot Isadora a sideways nce. That look said everything: "Isadora, you''ll always be the loser here."


    The kidnappers dragged Elise forward. One of them quickly stooped to scoop up the bag of cash, then shoved her ahead.


    The moment they loosened their grip, Elise darted straight into Magnus''s arms, wrapped her arms tightly around his waist, and buried her head in his chest. "Magnus, thank you I knew you''d never abandon me," she whispered.


    Magnus stood stiffly, arms hanging rigid at his sides, radiating a barely contained fury. He didn''t return Elise''s embrace; his fists clenched so tight his knuckles whitened.


    In that instant, he thought he saw a fleeting mix of scorn and disappointment in Isadora''s gaze.


    Magnus''s heart had never hurt like this. It felt as if a de had been driven straight through it, leaving him raw and trembling, his whole body wracked with pain.


    He realized, with a sense of finality, that he was losing her all over again.


    Meanwhile, the two kidnappers exchanged a quick nce, then dragged Isadora back toward the narrow, winding path that snaked through the hills.


    The mountain stretched for miles, nketed with dense woods, and dusk was settling fast. The kidnappers knew the area well. If they managed to slip away now, it would be almost impossible for anyone to find them.


    One of them hefted the heavy ck duffel bag stuffed with cash, grinning at the sight of thick bundles of bills. Jackpot. Magnus must be out of his mind-handing over five million and only getting one hostage back.


    Isadora stumbled as they pulled her along, her hands twisting against the ropes, mind racing for any way out.


    Magnus watched the kidnappers disappear into the shadows with Isadora, then turned to Gideon. "Take care of Elise!" he ordered, thrusting her into Gideon''s arms before sprinting after them without another word.


    "Magnus, wait-Magnus...!" Elise called after him.


    Gideon just let out a cold, dismissiveugh. "Let him go. If all he finds is a corpse, wouldn''t that be something?"


    He knew full well what the kidnappers had promised: after they got their money, they''d make sure Isadora was gone for good.


    Elise dabbed at her tears, then leaned gently against Gideon''s shoulder. "Thank you, Gideon. I won''t forget everything you''ve done for me. You''re the second man I''ve ever loved."


    Hearing those words, Gideon felt that all the scheming and risk had been worth it. He wrapped his arms tightly around Elise, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair.


    *


    On the other side of the mountain-


    "Hurry up," one kidnapper snapped, yanking on the rope around Isadora''s wrists.


    "You sure know how to pick ''em, sweetheart," the other sneered. "Magnus passed you over, not once but twice. Why don''t you juste with us instead?" He let out a low, uglyugh.


    They''d already struck a deal with Elise and Gideon: once they got paid, Isadora was as good as dead. Still, now that they saw her up close-so pretty and delicate they almost felt a pang of regret.


    The two men hustled her beneath a sprawling old tree, far from the main path, and stopped.


    They exchanged a look.


    Isadora''s instincts screamed at her; she took a hesitant step back. "What...what do you want?"


    "Why don''t you keep uspany for a while?" one said, his voice oily.


    "Should I go first, or do you want the honors?" the other leered.


    Isadora''s heart pounded in her chest. Terror threatened to paralyze her, but she refused to die here not like this.


    The moment the kidnappers dropped their guard, she wrenched the rope free and bolted.


    "Damn it! After her!" they shouted, tearing off after her in a rage.


    Isadora ran until she skidded to a halt at the edge of a cliff. Behind her, the kidnappers'' footsteps thundered closer and closer, relentless as the beating of a funeral drum.


    There was nowhere left to run.


    One of the men grinned, his face twisted with grotesque anticipation. "Miss Vaughan, why don''t you just give in? Don''t worry-we''ll make sure you enjoy every second." He took a slow step toward her, eyes glinting with menace.