He knew her name.
A stranger. A bandit. A man with steel-gray eyes and a voice that made the air itself obey him.
Elena's pulse stuttered in her throat as the screams of Claudia and Sophia echoed somewhere behind her. But even through the chaos, one thought sliced through her fear like a blade—
Why would a desert bandit know her name?
Had her prayers somehow been answered?
Had someone come to save her?
No.
No one could save her. Not now.
If she didn't marry Richard Vale, her sister would suffer the consequences. The deal had been clear, and there was no escaping it.
What had Sophia said the bandits wanted? Money?
Licking her lips, Elena sat up straighter, trying to disguise her trembling hands. "I'm the future bride of Richard Vale," she said, forcing the words out. "Touch a hair on my head and he'll kill you. Let me go unharmed, and you'll be rewarded."
The man tilted his head, his mouth curving into a faint, dangerous smile. "Ah," he said, his voice low and rough. "And how would he reward me?"
His accent threw her off—flat vowels like an American, but softened by something older, darker, and foreign. Not the voice of a common criminal.
"A million euros," she blurted out. "Maybe more."
He chuckled softly, a sound that made her skin prickle. "A generous offer." His steel eyes glinted beneath the mask. "But unfortunately for you… money isn't what I'm after."
Before she could react, he reached into the car and gripped her shoulders.
Elena screamed, thrashing wildly, nails clawing at the mask that hid his face. "Let me go!"
"Don't fight me," he growled, voice suddenly rougher—closer.
She only fought harder, kicking and twisting. One of her heels connected hard with his groin. He swore under his breath, his grip tightening as he caught both her wrists with one hand.
With the other, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a white cloth.
"No—don't!" she cried, struggling to turn away, but he pressed it firmly over her mouth and nose.
A sweet, chemical scent filled her lungs. Chloroform. She tried to hold her breath, but her body betrayed her—gasping for air, dragging the poison deeper.
The world tilted. The horizon blurred.
His face was the last thing she saw—those cold gray eyes, watching her with something she couldn't name.
Then everything went black.
Elena awoke on a soft, unfamiliar bed.
She opened her eyes slowly, her temples throbbing with a dull ache. Around her came the faint sounds of water gently lapping, the wooden floor creaking beneath the motion, and seagulls crying somewhere above.
Then the realization struck her—she was naked
Bolting upright, she grabbed the fine cotton sheets and pulled them closer. Her breath caught as she looked down. She was wearing only a sheer white lace bra and matching panties—her wedding-night lingerie—and nothing else.
"I trust you slept well."
Elena's head snapped toward the voice. She clutched the sheets to her chest as a man leaned casually against the doorway.
He was tall and broad-shouldered, his olive-toned skin contrasting sharply with his crisp white shirt and dark trousers that fit snugly along his powerful frame. His short, wavy dark hair fell carelessly across his forehead.
She didn't recognize him, but she knew that voice—and that cruel, sensuous mouth. And those eyes—dark, cold, and filled with something she couldn't name.
"Where am I?" she demanded hoarsely. Fragments of memory drifted through her mind: a helicopter, flashing city lights, the winding streets of Tangier. "What did you do with Sophia and Claudia?"
He stepped farther into the cabin, his steel-gray eyes glinting with a dangerous amusement. "You should be more concerned," he said quietly, "about what I intend to do with you."
A wave of dread rippled through her, but she forced herself to stay calm. She couldn't think about fear—not now. Not when her ten-year-old sister was still trapped in Tarfaya, relying on her to survive this.
Elena drew in a shaky breath. She had to stay strong—long enough to think, to plan, to find a way out.Where have you taken me? Have you sent a ransom note to the king?"
He folded his arms.There will be no sure thing as ransom note."
"What?"
He stepped closer to the bed.His whole body was muscular and stretched beneath his fine clothes,as if only sheer will kept him from grabbing her.
"I left the others,"he said.I only need you."
She swallowed.Me?Why?"
He just stared down at her,his face handsome arrogant mask
If the the kind of power and and reputation Richard Vale has then you must be a fool for kidnapping me,he will kill you for this
He sat on the bed.very close she made to move away,but his weight held down most of the sheet,what was barely enough to cover up her naked body,she wasn't going to let any man see her in her bras and panties,not until she met Richard Vale of course,not when having him close did a lot of strange things to her body.
She opened her mouth to tell to move away,but their eyes met and his gaze was so dark and full of such emotion it was capable of drowning in.
She could say he was more than handsome.
She had to look up', at him,his shouldered and muscular that he could do anything he wished with her and that frightened her.
He reached his hands towards her,to her surprise',he just stroked her cheeks.
"I've waited a long time for this."His word,his touch was possessive yet gentle,as if she were a wild horse to be tamed at his will.
"For what?" She managed.
"For you."
She was really drawn into him right now,just a trace of his fingers was enough to bend her to anything he asked,and he was only touching her cheeks,what would happen if he touched her breast,sucked her nipples with those sexual mouth of his,kissed her mouth,pulled her down beneath him on the bed….?
"You're the wager for war,Elena," He whispered in her ears,and i want to find out if revenge taste so sweet.
As he spoke his lips brushed against the sensitive flesh of her ear.His breath was so hot on her neck she could melt,causing prickles to run down her body.
Please she whispered,hardly knowing what she was pleading for.Her body felt so strange.Tense and tingly,cold and hot.
He ran his hand down her cheeks,past the sensitive flesh of her ear,down her neck.He stroked her hair as he gently pulled back her head,exposing her vulnerable throat,her aching mouth,involuntarily,she licked her lips.For a suspended instant,his eyes followed the movement of her tongue
Then his mouth was on her.