chapter 2

The gala ended past midnight. Ava Hale finally slipped away from the chattering guests, her heels clicking across the marble floor as she headed toward the side entrance. The valet already had her car waiting. She sighed in relief—finally, peace.

The night air was cool, a welcome change from the suffocating ballroom. She slid into the backseat, her driver nodding politely before starting the engine. Ava leaned back, closing her eyes. The silence was bliss.

Until it wasn’t.

The car slowed earlier than expected. Ava’s brows furrowed. “Why are we stopping?” she asked.

No answer.

She opened her eyes—and froze. The man in the driver’s seat wasn’t her usual driver. His build was bulkier, his shoulders stiff. Before she could scream, a cloth pressed against her mouth. The sharp chemical smell filled her nose.

Her world tilted. Darkness swallowed her.

---

When she woke, the air was damp and cold. She blinked rapidly, her head pounding. The faint glow of a single bulb revealed cracked walls and dusty crates. Her wrists were tied behind her back, ankles bound. Panic surged through her chest.

Kidnapped.

She tugged at the ropes, but they only cut into her skin. Her heartbeat thundered in her ears as footsteps echoed nearby. Ava held her breath, waiting.

The metal door creaked open.

And there he was.

Ethan Cross.

Ava’s fury ignited instantly. “You,” she spat, her voice hoarse. “What have you done? Did your family finally stoop this low?”

Ethan stopped in the doorway, equally bound, his hands tied in front of him. His lip was split, his shirt dirtied with dust. “Relax, princess,” he muttered, sinking against a crate. “I’m just as thrilled about this as you are.”

Her eyes narrowed. “Don’t play games with me. If this is some sick Cross family stunt—”

“Think again,” Ethan interrupted, his tone sharper than usual. “I got grabbed on my way home. Unless you think I volunteered to be tied up in a rat-infested warehouse with you.”

Ava’s chest heaved with anger, but doubt flickered at the edges of her thoughts. Could it be possible? She studied him carefully. His wrists were red where the rope dug in. His expression wasn’t smug or mocking, just grim.

Still, her pride refused to bend. “I wouldn’t put it past you.”

He rolled his eyes. “Hate to break it to you, Hale, but not everything revolves around our family feud. Some people out there have bigger ambitions than our little rivalry.”

Before Ava could respond, heavy boots echoed down the corridor. A group of masked men entered, rifles slung over their shoulders. One of them barked, “Keep them quiet. The boss will decide what to do.”

Ava glared at them. “Do you know who I am? My family will—”

The nearest man silenced her with a sharp shove, making her stumble against the crate. Ethan stiffened instantly, stepping forward despite the rope binding his hands. “Touch her again, and you’ll regret it.”

Ava blinked at him, startled.

The masked man sneered. “Big words from a tied-up pretty boy.”

Ethan’s jaw clenched, but he stayed quiet, his eyes burning with restrained fury. The group left, slamming the door shut.

Silence stretched between Ava and Ethan.

She finally muttered, “Why would you… defend me?”

“Because watching you mouth off and get yourself killed isn’t part of my plan,” Ethan said flatly, sinking back down. His voice was calm, but his gaze stayed fixed on the door as if memorizing every detail.

Ava stared at him. There was something in his tone she couldn’t read. He wasn’t mocking her, wasn’t smirking. For the first time, Ethan Cross looked serious.

And that unsettled her more than anything else.

---

Hours dragged by. The dim bulb buzzed overhead. Ava’s wrists ached, her throat dry. She shifted uncomfortably against the ropes.

“You’re going to saw your skin off if you keep struggling like that,” Ethan remarked.

“Do you have a better idea?” she snapped.

“Actually, yes.” He lifted his hands, revealing a shard of glass he must have swiped from the floor. Slowly, carefully, he began cutting at his ropes.

Ava’s jaw dropped. “You—you had that the whole time?”

He smirked faintly. “Patience, princess. Timing is everything.”

Within minutes, the ropes around his wrists fell loose. He quickly moved to free his ankles. Ava stared in disbelief.

“Well?” she demanded. “Are you going to help me, or are you enjoying my suffering?”

Ethan crouched in front of her, eyes gleaming. “Oh, I definitely enjoy seeing you humbled.”

Ava glared, ready to kick him. But then, without another word, he began cutting her ropes. His movements were steady, almost gentle, though he disguised it with a casual shrug.

When her wrists came free, Ava rubbed them, relief flooding her. She muttered grudgingly, “Thanks.”

“Don’t thank me yet.” Ethan leaned closer, his voice low. “Whoever these men are, they won’t keep us alive forever. We need a way out.”

Ava met his gaze, tension sparking between them. For once, their hatred took a backseat to something stronger: survival.

---

Hours later, as they pretended to sleep against the crates, Ava whispered, “Ethan… do you think this is about our families?”

He didn’t answer right away. His eyes stayed fixed on the door. Finally, he said, “Maybe. Maybe not. But whatever it is, they wanted you alive. That means you’re important to them.”

“And you?” she asked softly.

His lips curved faintly, though not in a smirk this time. “Me? I’m just the bonus prize.”

Ava frowned, studying him. There was something in his tone—a weight she couldn’t quite place. But before she could ask more, the door creaked open again.

The kidnappers entered, dragging them both to their feet.

“Move,” one of them barked.

As they were shoved into the dim corridor, Ava stumbled, nearly falling. Ethan immediately steadied her, his hand gripping her arm firmly. She shot him a glare, but he only said quietly, “Keep your head down.”

For once, Ava didn’t argue.

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