The Ex-Wife's Burning Elegance

Rachel blinked, caught off guard. "What did you just say?"

Keen glanced anxiously between the adults, utterly lost as to what they meant. But there was one thing he'd heard clearly: Rachel had said that the kidnapper knew his mother.

And come to think of it, the way the kidnapper treated his mom was very different from how he treated him or Rachel-nowhere near as harsh.

Keen's mind whirled, struggling to make sense of it all. He opened his mouth to speak, but then saw Stella's face grow grim as she quickened her pace, practically dragging him along.

Keen hustled to keep up, his small legs moving as fast as they could.

Ever since the kidnapper had demanded she bring the ransom herself, Stella had sensed something was off about the whole situation. Keen had gone out with plenty of people before and never been kidnapped-so why did it happen when he was with Rachel? That kind of coincidence was hard to swallow.

Others might not know Rachel's true character, but Stella knew her all too well.

When she'd first seen Rachel after the abduction, Rachel looked disheveled but not the least bit flustered. It was nothing like the frantic, reckless girl who'd once stabbed Haynes.

She'd suggested exchanging hostages with Lind, and Lind had agreed almost instantly-far too easily, Stella thought, for a supposed criminal.

It was as if Lind realized Stella was onto something and decided there was no point pretending anymore; he practically admitted it openly. And that little speech earlier? It was probably meant for Keen's ears. After all, who would ever suspect a child of lying?

On the surface, Rachel seemed to be pinning the blame for the kidnapping on Stella. But if Stella thought deeper, maybe Rachel was just using this as a chance to get rid of both her and Keen. Or maybe... just her.

Then Keen could testify that Stella and the kidnapper had been in cahoots, that they'd fallen out over the loot, and in a fit of rage, the kidnapper had killed her.

No matter how she looked at it, both she and Keen were in grave danger.

She couldn't risk her son's life on a gamble.

As Stella pulled Keen along, heading quickly for the exit, Lind just watched with a careless grin, making no move to stop them.noveldrama

They'd nearly reached the open space outside the warehouse when Lind finally called out, "Ms. Cameron, have your son stand in the middle of the lot In a moment, Haynes will get to choose. Whoever he picks gets to leave with Keen."

Stella turned to him. "Can't you let Keen go first? He's just a child-there's no point keeping him here."

Lind shrugged. "I thought it over. Releasing them one by one is just too much hassle. Might as welklet them leave together. Saves us all some trouble."

Stella's heart sank. So much for keeping his word.

But she didn't feel disappointed, nor did she bother arguing. She'd never believed

a kidnapper's promises anyway.

When she hesitated, Lind pulled a

pistol

"Ms. Cameron, let goet

s hand and come stand by me."

Left with no choice, Stella obeyed.

Lind's voice was almost bored as he murmured, "Now we just wait for Haynes to make his pick."

Two minutes later, Haynes appeared in the doorway, tall and imposing. His eyes swept over everyone before settling on Lind.

His voice was cold and even. "What's the price for letting them go?"

Lind replied lazily, "I already promised Ms. Cameron I'd let her son go. As for these two lovely ladies..."

His eyes glittered with something strange.

"You get to pick one. Take your son's hand and walk out with her your choice."