In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 162

Keira couldn't handle the thought. Her mind screamed in panic.

Alexei's jaw clenched. "Touch her, and no amount of money will save you from what I'll do."

The man laughed. "Big words from a man who is tied up." He stood and turned toward Keira, taking a step in her direction. She shrank back, mind racing for a way to buy time.

"My family..." she blurted out. "My family's rich too."

The kidnapper paused, looking at her with new interest. "Is that so?" But his tone suggested he didn't believe her.

"My name is Keira Warner. Warner Industries. My sisters will pay for me too. But if you touch me, your bargaining power goes down."

Alexei's face remained impassive, but she caught the slight nod of approval.

"Warner?" The kidnapper seemed to consider this. "We'll check. If you're lying..." He let the threat hang.

"Call Blair Warner. She'll pay whatever you ask." She forced a tremor into her voice. "Please don't hurt me." She was shit scared but also angry that these men thought they could… could… No, she couldn't even put it into words.

The man studied her for a moment longer, then turned back to his companion at the door. "Check the name. Warner Industries."

Keira knew by contacting Blair it would alert Roman and Luca about what was happening. Giving them even more chance of survival. She wasn't sure if Alexei’s father would have informed them.

As he moved away, Keira caught Alexei's eye.

"In the meantime," the kidnapper continued, "perhaps we should send your father proof of life, Your Highness. A finger, maybe? Or an ear?"

She could hear the guy was enjoying this.

Alexei's expression remained cold. "My father won't pay a cent if you damage the merchandise."

"Smart boy." The kidnapper laughed. "We'll settle for a photo, then."

He pulled out a phone, placed a newspaper on Alexei chest and snapped several pictures of him, the flash momentarily blinding.

"And now for the lady, too. If her family is as rich as she claims."

The man approached Keira, he thrust the newspaper into her hands.

"Hold it up," he ordered, raising the phone. "And try to look pathetic. Families pay more when they think you're suffering."

She gripped the newspaper with trembling fingers, forcing herself to appear vulnerable rather than furious. Her mind raced through options. Did she want to look weak? Or defiant? Which would work better for their survival?

She settled on defiant vulnerability scared but not broken. She didn't want Blair so worried while she was pregnant.

The kidnapper took several photos, then pocketed his phone. Throwing the newspaper to the side.

"The Warner name checks out," the second man called from the doorway. "Looks like we caught ourselves a two-for-one special."

The first kidnapper grinned beneath his mask. "Double the payout. Must be our lucky day."

The guy passed his phone to the first thug who examined it briefly before returning it. The second man retreated to the open doorway again.

He squatted down, too close to Keira's face. She could smell stale cigarettes, making her stomach turn.

"Your sister married Roman Kingston, huh? The billionaire? That's very interesting."

Keira kept silent, afraid of saying too much. She wasn't going to bring up Sutton and Luca.

"And the prince's daddy is no doubt already wiring money to our account." He chuckled, looking between them. "Quite the wealthy pair we've got. But now we have to wait for the second payout we might be here awhile."

The man pulled out a knife, and the other trained his gun on them both. Keira's heart hammered against her ribs with the knife-wielder so close to her.

He cut Keira's cable ties. "Make yourselves at home. There's a bathroom at the back of the room."

Keira moved away from the man sliding along the floor.

"Not so fast, princess." The gunman gestured toward the door. "May as well clue you in right now to spare both of you some effort. The door is steel, and there are bars on the window. If you think you can break the window and call for help, think again. The warehouses around us are all abandoned. We do our homework."

They didn't cut Alexei’s restraints.

The knife-wielder backed out of the room, the other guy's gun still trained on them.

The lock clicked with finality, leaving them alone again.

Keira waited until their footsteps faded before turning to Alexei. "Are you okay?"

"I'm fine." Blood had dried on his temple, making his hair stick to his skin. "You?"

"Terrified but intact. That was scary." She glanced around the room. "We need to find a way out. Let's get you out of those cable ties first."

They worked together to free his hands. Once he was free, Alexei stood slowly, testing his balance. The blow to his head had clearly affected him more than he was admitting. "At least we're not tied up anymore."

Keira moved to the window, climbing onto a shelf to peer through the bars. "They were right. Nothing but empty rundown warehouses. We're in the middle of nowhere."

"Don't give up yet." Alexei examined the door, running his fingers along the frame. "Every lock or room has a weakness."

"They said your father was contacted." Keira climbed back down, her torn dress catching on the metal edge, ripping it. "Will he pay regardless of the rules?"

Alexei's expression darkened. "Officially, Wystovia doesn't negotiate with kidnappers."

"And unofficially?"

"He's, my father." He paused. "Your sisters? Their husbands? What will they do?"

"They'll tear the city apart looking for me. They have resources even your father doesn't, because they know this town."

Alexei nodded, then winced at the movement. He swayed slightly.

"Sit down," Keira ordered, rushing to his side. "You have a concussion."

"I'm fine—"

"You're not fine. Your pupils are different sizes." She guided him to the floor. "Let me look at that cut."

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