Chapter 4

Only the kidnapper and I remained.

"I want the car!" he barked.

Before I got in, the captain gave me a subtle nod. According to the plan, they would track the vehicle's route.

All I had to do was buy some time and cooperate until they could take him down.

My hands were tied as I was thrown into the passenger seat. Just before the door slammed shut, I saw Ryan breaking through the crowd, throwing his arms around an unconscious Elaine.

…

The car sped down the empty highway. The rope rubbed my wrists raw until blood began to drip down my hands.

As the last police car disappeared into the rain, the kidnapper gave a cold laugh. "Stop waiting. They're not coming for you."

"What do you mean?" I asked. My voice was trembling.

He turned on the radio, humming along with the static. The radio broadcast was playing Elaine's interview.

Her voice quivered over the broadcast. She sounded as if she'd been deeply shaken. "I heard the kidnappers say they were meeting at Southgate. Please, you have to save her!"

But in reality, we were speeding toward Northville.

Soon after, all the police units were redirected to Southgate.

The kidnappers took me to a rundown house in the countryside.

One of them pulled out a dagger and sneered. "Ms. Woods is much prettier than you. I have no idea what Mr. Jamison sees in you."

Even a fool would realize then that he and Elaine were working together.

I dodged his blade and pleaded, "Please, just let me make a call."

He scoffed. "Who exactly are you planning to call? Your captain? Keep dreaming."

"Ryan," I said.

The kidnapper burst into laughter and kicked me hard. "Officer Cullen, are you serious? Do you really think you matter that much to Mr. Jamison?"

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pressed my phone against my face. "Go on then. Let's see."

After a few rings, the call was cut off.

That seemed to excite him even more. He dialed again. Ryan hung up once more.

The kidnapper's eyes glimmered with twisted amusement as he kept calling and watching my expression, trying to catch a glimpse of despair.

I didn't give him what he wanted.

Frustrated, he plunged the dagger into my lower back. Pain shot through me, and I let out a muffled groan.

He leaned in until his breath brushed against my neck. "How about a little game? Tell Mr. Jamison where you are. If he doesn't make it here in 30 minutes, you'll bleed out right where you stand."

Warm blood trickled down my back, seeping into my uniform.

At last, the call connected.

Ryan's cold voice came through. "What is it?"

My teeth chattered from the pain. "He's in Northville—"

"Who?" he asked.

"The suspect. He kidnapped me. I'm with him now," I said.

There was a long pause before Ryan spoke again. "Tasha, is this your idea of a joke?"

I coughed up blood, barely able to form words. "Ryan—"

He cut me off. "Enough!"

It was the first time he had ever spoken to me in such a sharp, cutting tone.

"There's something I never told you," he said, barely holding back his anger. "Elaine is my bottom line. Don't use a stunt like this to test my feelings. If you're jealous, stay put in Northville. I never asked you to risk your life for her."

The sound of a blade piercing flesh echoed.

He stabbed me again.

The pain was unbearable.

"It hurts," I gasped. Tears were streaming down my face. Clutching the phone like it was my only lifeline, I begged as if reaching for salvation. "Ryan, will you marry me? Please, come for me. Please."

Ryan paused for a few seconds, and when he finally spoke, his voice was icier than ever. "Elaine's pregnant. My promises mean nothing now."

Just then, a clear chime sounded.

"Task objective achieved: Be rejected by the male lead one hundred times.

"Congratulations, Tasha. You've completed your mission.

"Reward calculation in progress…

"Calculation complete.

"Mission reward: 80 million dollars. Severe injury compensation: 30 million dollars. Total: 110 million dollars.

"Special reward: Talent Point – Police Intuition.

"Countdown: three seconds until world exit. Welcome back to reality. Have a pleasant day."