Chapter 18
AVA
Sebastian’s firm grip sent her heart hammering as he tugged her closer to him. Seconds later, her world shifted when he lifted her into his arms. She kicked in protest. “Put me down.”
“Easy, Ava. It’s a long walk. I’m just making it easier on you,” Sebastian purred in her ear.
With a sigh, she stopped resisting, her mind going to Alex. She just wanted to see him. But without the tracker, she may never find him again. At least she’d be able to ascertain if he was okay. Then, she’d come up with another plan from there.
“You know,” she said, “I didn’t ask you to make this easier on me. I’m capable of walking.”
“You’re capable of many things, Ava. Which is why you’re of such interest to The Board.”
“Unfortunately,” she answered as she felt them descend the stairs, “joining The Board is not of interest to me. And I thought it was you who was interested?”
“I wish you felt differently…on both counts.”
“Well, I don’t.”
“I’m going to ask you to reserve your judgement for after you’ve seen Alex.”
Her heart skipped a beat at the words as her mind created nightmare scenarios of how she’d find him. Images of him bloody and bruised floated through her mind. “If you’ve hurt him–”
“Relax, Ava. Nothing’s happened yet. We’re giving you the opportunity to make sure it doesn’t.”
She didn’t like those words because it gave her limited options. Comply or face the consequences. And she didn’t like her hand to be forced.
Her feet touched the ground again, and the sound of a car door opening reached her ears.
“Watch your head,” he said as he guided her inside the vehicle.
A second later, his cologne filled her nostrils. A strong arm reached across her, tugging the seat belt around her.
“Seriously?” she asked as it clicked into place. “You’ve got me zip tied with a hood over my head, and you’re going to make sure I’m wearing my seat belt?”
The engine roared to life, and the car lurched forward. “Your safety is of the utmost importance to me.”
“Mmm, I bet you say that to all the girls. You aren’t concerned with having a hooded woman in your front seat?”
“My windows are tinted. No one will know.”
Ava’s eyebrows pinched as the tires left the driveway, turning onto the paved road. She remained awake, and if she could stay that way for the entire drive, she could memorize the route to Alex’s location.
Her heart hammered against her ribs, her mind swimming. She slouched in her seat, trying to remain hyperaware of the car’s movements. The longer the trip, the harder this would be, but at least she’d have some idea of where he may be.
She repeated each turn over and over in her head, creating a list as they snaked through the streets. She focused only on memorizing the directions rather than trying to surmise where they were.
After twenty minutes of driving, Sebastian heaved a sigh, the car slowing. She held back from asking him anything, afraid he may have realized she remained in full control of her faculties and able to memorize their route.
“Excuse me for a moment, Ava. It looks like we have some company.”
Her features crinkled under the hood as the scent of fresh air filled the car. The door slammed closed a second later. She shifted, wondering if she should pull the hood off and check out her location in case her directions failed.
Before she could decide, the sound of gunfire rang out, stopping her heart. Her chest constricted, her breathing turning ragged.
The door opened and the car rocked as someone rejoined her. Based on the scent of his cologne, she assumed it to be Sebastian.
“Sebastian?” she squeaked out.
“I’m right here, Ava.”
Her chest still heaved as questions stormed through her mind. “Wh-What happened?”
“Just needed to take care of a little problem. Seems your friend, Kyle, thought it was a good idea to follow us.”
Her heart rate ratcheted up. “What did you do?”
“Took care of the problem,” he answered. “Now, we can spend some more quality alone time together.”
“What did you do?” she asked, her voice shooting up an octave. She thrashed in her seat, attempting to lift the hood and look around.
“Don’t,” he warned, his voice a low growl. “Don’t make me regret trusting you, Ava.”
“I just want to know what you did to him?”
“I didn’t do anything to him. Although his tire is a little worse for wear.”
She breathed a sigh of relief as she let her head thud against the headrest behind her. “You could have just said that.”
“And miss the opportunity to really have an impact on you with my benevolence? I don’t think so, Ava.”
“Benevolence? Is that supposed to be a turn-on?”
He huffed a laugh. “If it works for you, I’ll go with it.”
“It doesn’t,” she snapped.
“Duly noted. You’re a difficult woman to please, Ava.”
“Not really. I would have been quite pleased if you would have given Alex back to me.”
He chuckled. “But where is the fun in that?”
“I dunno,” she said as she shrugged, “I would have found that pretty fun, actually.”
He laughed again, his hand caressing her arm. “Oh, Ava, I do enjoy you so very much.”
“I’m just tickled by your interest in me.” She quieted as she focused on adding to the growing turn list in her head. At least Kyle would have part of the route. She hoped she could figure out the rest of the way.
Finally, the car slowed to a stop. Ava’s breathing ratcheted up, her heart thudding against her chest.
Her labored breathing made her hot all over as warm air filled the hood. The door next to her swung open, air tickling her skin. Sebastian’s hand grabbed her firmly, but gently, tugging her out of the vehicle.
“Any chance you’ll take this hood off now?” she asked.
“Not quite yet, my love. But nice try.”
He guided her forward, and soon the warmth of the sun died off as they entered the building. Cold air raced past her from the air conditioning vent that blew overhead.
“What?” she asked. “You’re not going to carry me?”
“We’ll save that for home, dear,” he whispered as he gently pushed her forward.
“You’re so romantic,” Ava said as they turned a corner. She focused on memorizing the route to his cell for when she broke in here to retrieve him.
Sebastian curled his fingers around her arm, bringing her to a stop before a door creaked open. He shoved her roughly forward.
“Ava!” Alex’s voice called.
Her heart hammered in her chest as Sebastian ripped her hood off. She spotted Alex in front of her, being held back by a guard. “Alex!” Her voice was desperate but relieved as she tried to reach for him.
Sebastian yanked her back against him, his grip tight.
Miranda’s voice sliced through the tension as she studied Alex. He seemed to be fine. Bruised and visibly shaken, but alive and unharmed for the most part.
“Now,” Miranda said, “let’s talk about some concessions on your part.”
She drew a gun from her waistband and pressed it to Ava’s temple, her features twisted with malice.
Alex’s features melted with concern. “Don’t hurt her! Please!”
Miranda smirked at him. “You leave me no choice, Alex. Do as we say, or watch her suffer.”
Ava struggled against the pressure of the gun at her head. “Really, Sebastian? This is how you’re going to play this?”
“Shut up, sweetheart,” Miranda snapped. “No one asked you.”
“Ohh, gosh, hate to be a real pain here, but actually, Sebastian did sort of ask me to join him, and I didn’t think that meant you putting a gun to my head.”
“You turned him down,” Miranda answered. “Now, I say we use you the best way we can. Which is this way. Alex does what we want, or you get your brains blown out.”
“No!” Alex shouted.
“Stand down, Miranda. That’s not why she’s here,” Sebastian said.
Miranda’s eyes widened as she glanced at him. “You can’t be serious.”
“Put the gun away,” he answered.
Her jaw flexed as she shifted the weapon but refused to put it away. “No. This is stupid. The things you said…it’s all a setup. To get her here so we could use her to force Alex’s hand.”
Sebastian shifted in front of Ava, driving Miranda back a few steps. “I said, stand down.”
Her nostrils flared. “You’re losing your edge.”
With a quick motion, he knocked her arm aside, driving her back against the wall and pinning her against it. She struggled to keep hold of the gun, but the pressure on her wrist made her drop it.
It smacked against the concrete floor near her feet.
Sebastian’s features twisted with anger.
“I outrank you…by a lot. When I give you an order, I expect you to follow it. Ava is my guest here. You will treat her with the respect I require you to. If you can’t, we’ll renegotiate your status in this organization, and I don’t think you’ll like your new assignments much. Do you understand?”
Miranda pressed her lips together, her eyes wide. “Yes, Mr. Bancroft.”
He wagged a finger at her. “You’re already on thin ice. One more strike, and I will personally see to it that you are removed from The Board.”
He released her, and she straightened, adjusting her blazer, her nostrils flaring. She squatted to grab her gun, shoving it into her waistband.
“Now,” Sebastian said as he circled back to Ava. “Let’s continue, shall we?”
Ava shot Miranda a haughty glance, her eyes lingering on the woman.
“Why did you bring me here?” Ava asked him.
“Well,” Sebastian answered. “I’d like you and Alex to have a conversation. Discuss your…somewhat limited options and make the best decision for everyone.”
“Let her go, Sebastian,” Alex said. “I’ll do–”
“Alex, don’t agree to anything,” Ava shot back before she flicked her gaze to Sebastian. “We’ll take the time to talk.”
Miranda scoffed. “You’re not actually suggesting that they spend time alone, are you?”
“It may prove fortuitous,” Sebastian said. “I don’t see the harm in it. Bind his wrists.”
“Mr. Bancroft!” Miranda shouted, her eyes wide as the guard quickly zip tied Alex’s wrists behind his back.
“Ow, watch it,” Alex said as he jumped.
“Well, let’s let them talk.” Sebastian closed the distance between him and Ava, grabbing her chin between his thumb and forefinger. “I expect you to make the right decision at the end of this conversation, Ava.”
She didn’t answer, and he motioned for the guard and Miranda to follow him from the cell.
“This is a terrible idea,” Miranda said, refusing to budge.
“I didn’t ask you,” Sebastian answered. “Out.”
Her nostrils flared as she stormed from the room. The door slammed behind them, and Ava twisted to Alex, tears welling in her eyes as she rushed to him and threw her bound wrists around his neck. “Alex! Are you okay?”
“I’m okay, Avs. More or less. How are you?”
A tear rolled down her cheek. “Miserable. I want you home, babe.”
He pressed his forehead against hers. “I want to be home. But I don’t think they’re going to let me go. And you can’t give in to Sebastian.”
“I know,” she said. “There’s no way I’m doing that. He’s going to force my hand with something I can’t give him. That’s not an option. But don’t worry, Ace, I have other options.”
“Security here is insane. I’ve tried to escape twice and haven’t made it. They’re going to keep me locked up tight after that.”
Ava shook her head. “Don’t take any chances, babe. Okay? I need you alive when I make my play.”
“Ava, please, please, don’t do anything dangerous. These people are…Sebastian’s good will isn’t going to last forever. He’s going to push you and when you don’t respond–” His voice broke at the words.
“Babe, I’ve got this, okay? Just…do what you have to do to stay alive here. I’m going to have you out of here in no time.”
His features pinched, fear etching them. “Avs, what they’re asking…”
“Stall them, babe. I don’t need long, okay?”
He didn’t answer, trembling as she pressed closer to him.
“Alex…I’ve got this. You need to trust me.”
“I do. I’m just worried.”
She pressed her lips against his. “I’m going to bring you home, Ace. I just need you to hang on here a little longer. Okay?”
“Okay, Avs.”
The door burst open again and Sebastian and the guard entered. Sebastian cocked his head, eyeing the cozy scene. “I hope that’s a goodbye kiss.”
“No Miranda?” Ava asked as she lifted her arms from around Alex’s neck, dropping them in front of her.
“She has other business to attend to.”
“Darn. I was really hoping to see her again.”
“Well, Ava,” Sebastian said. “Have you come to any conclusions?”
Ava lifted her chin, ready to face Sebastian Bancroft in a desperate attempt to save her husband.