Too Late To Want His Moonlight Back

7

Mark helped Delilah into the car, keeping one arm around her waist as if she might collapse the moment he let go. He glanced back at the warehouse, his jaw tightening.

"I should go back for Lena," he said. "I can't just leave her there."

Delilah's fingers immediately tightened around his shirt. "Mark..."

He looked down at her.

Fresh tears filled her eyes. Honestly, Melena would have been impressed by how quickly Delilah could cry on command if she hadn't been the one tied up in a basement because of it.

"Do you…really want…to risk leaving our baby without a father?" Delilah asked pitifully. "Please take me to the hospital. I feel sick. I need you right now."

Mark hesitated.

For a moment, it looked like he might actually go back. Then Delilah placed a hand over her stomach, and his expression changed.

"Okay," he murmured. "Okay, I'll take you to the hospital."

He helped her into the car and drove away, leaving Melena tied up in a basement because apparently, that was how her life was going now.

Delilah leaned against his shoulder as they drove, hiding the small smile tugging at her lips.

….

Melena woke to someone roughly shaking her shoulder.

"Wake up, princess. Your ride's here."

She groaned and opened her eyes. Her head felt heavy, her body ached, and her wrists hurt from being tied up for most of the night. When she looked up, she found the sandy-haired Alpha standing over her.

"Someone actually brought the money?" she asked.

"Someone did."

Wonderful.

Melena slowly sat up as the ropes were loosened. Blood rushed back into her wrists, making her wince.

The Alpha crouched in front of her and pulled out his phone. "Give me your number."

Melena stared at him. "I'm sorry?"

"I told you earlier that I still want you under me in my bed."

She looked at his face, then at the phone in his hand, before looking back at him.

This man had officially lost his damn mind.

"You're seriously asking for my number right now?"

"Yes."

She was exhausted. She had had enough.

She took the phone and entered her number. There. She could always block him later. She already had a long list of people she needed to block anyway.

As soon as she handed the phone back, heavy footsteps echoed down the corridor.

The sandy-haired Alpha turned toward the door.

A familiar scent reached Melena first. Dark sandalwood laced with crisp mountain air and a hint of smoky amber.

Her body went still.

No.

Absolutely not.

She knew that scent.

The door opened, and Zane Rider walked into the basement with a duffel bag.

Of course.

Being kidnapped apparently wasn't enough. Now she had to deal with Zane Rider too.

He looked exactly as he always did. Tall, impossibly composed, with his black hair perfectly in place and emerald eyes cold enough to make a person feel judged for breathing too loudly.

The atmosphere in the room changed the moment he stepped inside. The men who had spent the entire night acting like dangerous criminals suddenly became more cautious. Even the sandy-haired Alpha, who was a First-Class Alpha himself, visibly straightened and shifted his stance. Zane didn't need to say anything to command the room. His presence alone was enough to remind everyone exactly who held the most power.

Melena stared at him. "You?"

Zane's gaze moved over her. Her messy hair. Her pale face. The red marks around her wrists. The fact that she was sitting disheveled in a basement after being kidnapped.

His expression barely changed. "Doctor Roland."

"Rider."

He turned his attention to the men.

The sandy-haired Alpha gave him a respectful nod.

Zane barely acknowledged him.

Melena noticed.

Even in a basement full of criminals, Zane somehow managed to act like he was the most important person in the room.

He reached into his coat and pulled out a document and a pen.

Melena stared at them. "What is that?"

"A promissory note."

She looked at the paper, then at him. "You're joking."

"Do I look like I'm joking?"

Unfortunately, no.

"You owe me for your rescue. Sign it."

Melena stared at him.

She had been kidnapped because of Delilah's ridiculous obsession. She had almost been murdered. Her father had told her to die. And now Zane Rider wanted her to sign a debt agreement before he would pay her ransom.

She was starting to think getting killed might have been less stressful.

"Do it, or I might as well turn around and leave," he warned.

"Fine." She snatched the pen and signed the document. "There."

Zane took it from her and handed the bag to the sandy-haired Alpha.

The man counted the money quickly before nodding to his crew. They began leaving the basement.

As soon as the last of the kidnappers disappeared, Melena pushed herself to her feet.

It was a mistake.

The room spun, and her knees buckled. Strong arms caught her before she hit the floor.

She looked up and groaned.

Zane's scent instantly surrounded her as he steadied her.

"What a pitiful sight," he said coldly. "The brilliant Dr. Melena Roland, tied to a pillar because she trusted the wrong man."

Heat rushed to her face, and she shoved him away. "I'd rather hit the floor than lean on you."

"I can arrange that."

She glared at him. "Still an asshole."

"And you're still a terrible judge of character."

The words hit exactly where he intended. Her jaw tightened. "You don't get to lecture me."

"I don't have to. The internet already did."

Rage flashed across her face. "You really are insufferable."

"I offered you help but you chose a cheater.”

“Nobody wants to work for an arrogant control freak."

"The results speak for themselves."

Melena clenched her fists. Goddess, she wanted to punch him. His smug expression only made it worse. He wasn't angry. He was enjoying every second of this.

Before she could think of a reply sharp enough to wipe that smirk off his face, the basement door burst open.

"Melena!" Hazel rushed inside with Nick close behind her. The moment she saw Melena, her face crumpled with worry.

"Oh my Goddess!"

She hurried over and grabbed Melena by the shoulders, looking her over from head to toe.

"Are you hurt? What happened? Why are you so pale? Your wrists are bleeding."

"I'm fine."

"You are not fine! You were kidnapped!"

"I know.”

Hazel ignored her.."Can you walk? Are you dizzy? Did they hit your head? Melena, look at me."

"Hazel, get me out of here."

Hazel stopped.

Melena glanced toward Zane with a deep frown.."I can't stand being in this basement anymore. I can't stand being around him, and I definitely can't stand smelling him."

Zane's eyes narrowed slightly.

Melena didn't care. She had spent hours tied up in a basement, and now she was stuck with the most irritating man in Hamilton. Her patience was gone.

Hazel immediately wrapped an arm around her waist.

"Come on. We're taking you to the hospital. You look dizzy."

"Finally. Someone with common sense."

"Sure." Zane's voice stopped them.

Melena turned around.

He was still standing there with the same infuriatingly calm expression. "From now on, you'll be working for Shiver Corp."

Melena stared at him. "What?"

"Did I stutter?"

Her mouth fell open. She looked at Hazel, who appeared just as stunned.

Melena turned back to Zane. "Can't I just owe you another favor?"

"No."

The corner of his mouth lifted into a smug smirk before he turned away from her and began walking.

Melena stood there, staring at his back as her anger slowly began to boil.

She had just been kidnapped, nearly killed, betrayed by her fiancé, emotionally tortured by his psychotic mistress, and rescued by the most arrogant man she'd ever met.

And now she was apparently working for him.

What the hell had she gotten herself into?