She was Kidnapped

Melanie’s POV

The days passed, and the more time I spent with Jethro, the more my hatred for him grew. I hated being around him. I hated the way he controlled everything. Most of all, I hated the fact that I had been forced into a life I never wanted.

I knew what I was about to do was risky, but it was worth the risk. No one was home except for the maids and the bodyguards Jethro had forced me to accept.

I had already made up my mind. I was leaving. Before Jethro could find out about anything, I sneaked my bag out to the garage and placed it inside the trunk of the car.

Preston and I had already talked about everything—where we’d meet, what we’d do, and what would happen if anything went wrong.

Everything was planned. There was even a plan B in case of any mistakes or complications.

I returned to my room and gathered all the necessary documents I would need. I stuffed them into my handbag before looking down at the diamond ring on my left hand.

My fingers slowly brushed over it. I thought about the man who had placed it on my finger. Despite everything, the ring had somehow become a part of my life.

I stared at it for a moment before finally taking it off. I placed it on the dressing table and walked away.

Three cars followed me—one in front and two behind—creating enough of a distraction that pedestrians barely paid attention to me.

“I’m heading to the airport,” I told the driver. He nodded.

“Airport.”

At once, all three cars changed direction toward the airport. My heart raced as I watched the road through the window. This was it. I was finally going to leave.

The airport wasn’t far away, and my flight was scheduled to take off in less than an hour. I couldn’t afford to waste any time.

As soon as we arrived, I stepped out of the car and began walking toward the restroom.

“Where are you going?” one of the guards asked.

“To the restroom.”

I entered and was about to close the door when one of the guards held it open.

“Did your boss instruct you to go into the restroom with me?”

The guard immediately realized his mistake.

“Sorry, boss lady.”

He released the door and stepped back. I quickly locked the door behind me. I immediately changed into the clothes I had brought with me.

I had been wearing an office outfit, but I changed into a simple ash-colored top and dark blue jeans. I took out all my documents and transferred them into a smaller bag.

Then I turned the bag inside out, making sure nothing about my appearance would draw attention.

I wiped off my red lipstick and quickly fixed my hair into a ponytail. Before leaving the restroom, I put on a baseball cap. I looked at myself in the mirror. I barely recognized the woman staring back at me.

That was exactly what I needed. I took a deep breath and stepped outside. As expected, the guards didn’t recognize me immediately. I kept my head lowered and walked past them, trying to look as ordinary as possible.

My heart pounded against my chest. I was terrified they would realize what I had done. But I kept walking. I had come too far to turn back now. I was going to Preston. I was going to Denmark. And this time, nothing—not even Jethro—was going to stop me.

***

Jethro’s POV

I went back home because I had forgotten the chip in my wardrobe closet. There was something important on it, and although I could have sent Rocco or Brandon to get it, I felt like going myself.

I had barely stepped through the door when my phone rang. It was Lucas.

“Boss, Melanie didn’t go to the office today.” My brows furrowed.

“Are you sure?”

“Yes, boss.” I ended the call and immediately headed upstairs. I pushed the bedroom door open. No one was home.

I walked straight toward the closet and retrieved the chip, but something felt wrong. I looked around. Melanie’s closet was open. And empty. My heart skipped.

“Melanie!”

I rushed toward the bathroom and pushed the door open. Empty. I turned back toward the bedroom, and that was when I noticed something on the dressing table. The ring.

My eyes narrowed. She had left it behind. I immediately understood what was happening. She was leaving.

“Fuck!” I pulled out my phone and dialed Noah’s number. He answered almost immediately.

“Boss.”

“Don’t let Melanie out of your sight,” I ordered.

“Okay, boss.”

“Where is she?”

“We’re at the airport, but she’s been in the restroom. She should be coming out now.” My jaw clenched.

“Break the door open.”

There was a brief silence.

“Okay, boss.”

I ended the call.

My heart began beating faster with every passing second. Then my phone rang again.

“Boss…”

“What?”

“She’s missing.”

I froze.

“What?”

“She’s gone, boss.”

I hung up and immediately dialed Brandon.

“Head to the airport. No one goes in or out. Check every booked flight, both domestic and international.”

“Yes, boss.”

I didn’t wait for his response. I grabbed my keys and stormed out of the house. Melanie had escaped. But she wasn’t getting far.

***

I walked quickly but elegantly through the airport, with my bodyguards following closely behind me.

My jaw was clenched, and my mind was racing. Melanie was gone. And I had no idea where she was.

“Boss.”

I stopped and turned toward Brandon.The men who were with Melanie stood behind him

“If anything happens to my wife, you’ll wish you were never born.”

My eyes burned with anger, and my voice came out colder than ever. Brandon immediately looked at them.

I turned to Brandon.

“Melanie did book a flight with Preston to Denmark,” he said.

“We’ll be leaving immediately. Get the jet ready.”

I started walking away when Brandon called after me.

“Boss.”

I stopped but didn’t turn around.

“That’s not all.” I slowly turned to face him.

“What?”

“They didn’t make it.” My brows furrowed.

“What are you implying?”

“They never left the country.”

I stared at him, my face expressionless. Sometimes, Brandon wondered how I managed to keep a straight face even when I was furious.

“Speak up,” I snapped, looking directly at him.

“We went through the CCTV footage, and…”

He hesitated.

“Don’t test my patience.” I stared at him with a deadly look. “Where’s my wife?”

“She was kidnapped.”

For a moment, I said nothing. Then I laughed. Brandon stared at me, clearly confused. He never understood my laughter. I only laughed when my anger had reached its limit.

“What are you going to do, boss?” he asked cautiously.

Before I could answer, my phone began ringing. I looked at the screen. Mr. Williams. I answered immediately.

“What do you want?”

“You should be aware of what’s going on.”

“I am.”

“Give me back my daughter, and I’ll send your wife back to you untouched.”

I didn’t say a word.

“I’m an old man, Jethro. I’ve played this game before.”

I clenched my jaw.

“Okay.”

There was a brief silence.

“Good boy.”

The call ended.

I lowered my phone slowly.

“Boss?”

I looked at Brandon.

“Get his wife, his grandchildren, and Richard.”

Brandon’s eyes widened.

“Boss—”

“It’s a game,” I said, cutting him off. “And I’m going to win it.”

He nodded and walked away. I dialed Rocco’s number. He answered on the first ring.

“Boss?”

“Feast on her.”

There was silence on the other end.

“Boss?”

“Not only you. Get every guard to her.”

I paused.

“She mustn’t die.”

“Understood, boss.”

“Thanks a lot, boss,” he replied before hanging up.

I slipped my phone into my pocket. I knew Rocco had feelings for Emma, but he’d been holding himself back. He had just played with a lion’s tail.

And now he was about to find out exactly what happened when the lion got angry.