Kidnapped

SO CLOSE....

Greg

Two days passed before Cara's condition finally stabilized. The fear that had gripped everyone since the poisoning slowly began to fade. Dr. Jason assured me she was no longer in immediate danger, but I refused to let my guard down. As long as my father was alive and breathing, Cara would never truly be safe.

That morning, I sent my personal bodyguard on a special assignment.

"Keep your eyes on my father," I instructed. "I want every movement, every meeting, every visitor reported to me. Don't let him notice you're watching."

The man nodded once.

"Yes, Boss."

Only after he disappeared through the gate did I allow myself to breathe.

I had to know what my father was planning before making my next move.

...

Inside the guest room, Cara looked up the moment I stepped inside.

"So, you finally remembered I exist."

A smile tugged at my lips.

"Where else would I be?" I asked. "Did you miss me?"

She rolled her eyes.

"Don't flatter yourself. The only thing I want is to get as far away from you as possible."

"I know."

I walked toward the bed and sat at its edge.

"You hate me."

She looked away.

"You kidnapped me."

Her voice cracked slightly.

"You forced me into this marriage."

"I did."

I didn't deny it.

"I won't make excuses for it."

Silence stretched between us.

Finally she spoke again.

"It doesn't matter whether we're married or not. You'll never force me to love you."

A faint smile crossed my face.

"I don't intend to force your heart."

She frowned.

"I can wait."

"One month."

"One year."

"Ten years."

"If that's what it takes."

She folded her arms stubbornly.

"We'll see how long your patience lasts."

"I have all the time in the world, little tigress."

I stood up and headed for the door.

Just before leaving, a pillow came flying toward my head.

I caught it effortlessly.

A laugh escaped me.

"My aim is getting better," she muttered.

"It still needs practice."

I placed the pillow back on the bed before leaving.

---

Cara

Why wasn't I angry anymore?

No...

I was still angry.

I had every reason to be.

But after everything that happened these past few days... after the way he stayed beside me while I fought for my life... after seeing the exhaustion in his eyes every time I woke up...

Something inside me had changed.

Only a little.

I hated admitting it.

The man was impossibly handsome.

Infuriatingly stubborn.

Dangerously overprotective.

And somehow...

He had cared for me without leaving my bedside.

That confused me more than anything else.

A few minutes later, I heard footsteps approaching again.

Quickly, I pulled the blanket over my head and pretended to be asleep.

"I know you're awake."

His deep voice filled the room.

No response.

"Cara."

Still nothing.

I heard his footsteps coming closer.

"What exactly are you planning?"

Silence.

Another step.

"If you're pretending to sleep to avoid packing, it's not going to work."

I immediately threw the blanket aside and sat upright.

"I'm getting ready!"

A satisfied grin spread across his face.

"Good."

"You have twenty minutes."

He turned to leave.

"Don't order me around," I muttered.

He stopped.

Slowly, he looked back over his shoulder.

"Oh?"

His calm voice somehow sounded more dangerous than shouting.

"I wouldn't test my patience today."

Our eyes locked.

For a few tense seconds, neither of us moved.

Then I sighed dramatically.

"Fine."

"I'll get ready."

His expression softened ever so slightly.

"That's my sensible wife."

"Pervert," I muttered under my breath.

His eyebrow lifted.

"What did you call me?"

I immediately took two cautious steps backward.

"I... didn't say anything."

"You did."

He walked closer—not rushing, not threatening, just enough to remind me how much larger he was.

I swallowed.

"You really enjoy provoking me."

"I don't."

"No?"

He leaned in slightly, his voice dropping.

"Then stop giving me new names."

My heartbeat betrayed me.

"Now..."

He straightened his jacket.

"Pack your things."

"You have ten minutes."

Without another word, he walked out, quietly closing the door behind him.

The moment he disappeared, I collapsed onto the bed and covered my burning face with both hands.

"Goodness..."

"I really need to stop provoking that man."