Chapter 1
The cold cement scraped against my knees as I was dragged across the warehouse floor. My wrists burned from the tight rope cutting into my skin, but the pain was nothing compared to the terror clawing at my throat.
"Jaxon, please!" My voice cracked, hoarse from screaming. "I swear, I didn’t—”
A boot pressed down on my back, shoving me flat against the floor. My breath hitched.
Jaxon stood above me, his expression cold. His suit was still crisp, like he hadn't just ordered his men to drag me in here like a piece of trash.
"Nora came back today," he said flatly.
I swallowed hard, my chest rising and falling in shallow gasps.
"She barely made it through the door before collapsing. Covered in bruises, broken ribs, a fucking mess. You know what she said before she passed out?" Jaxon crouched down, his voice calm. "She said your name, Valerie."
I shook my head violently. "I didn't—Jaxon, I don't even know what happened to her! You have to believe me!"
He studied me for a long moment, then exhaled sharply, shaking his head like I was pathetic.
"You always have an excuse, don't you?" He stood up and gestured toward his men. "Put her in the water."
"No, no—please, Jaxon—!"
His men grabbed me, yanking me toward a massive barrel filled to the brim with water. My heart slammed against my ribs.
"Jaxon!" I thrashed, but they were stronger. My legs kicked uselessly as they forced me forward, cold water closing over my face.
The shock hit me instantly, my lungs burning as I fought for air. My body jerked, my instincts screaming, but they held me down, refusing to let me up. My vision blurred, black spots dancing in my sight. Just when I thought I was going to drown—
"Enough."
I was ripped out of the water, coughing violently, gasping for breath. My soaked hair clung to my face as I collapsed onto the floor, my chest heaving.
"Jaxon, please," I croaked. "I'm—I'm pregnant."
A slow, humorless chuckle filled the warehouse.
Jaxon took a step forward, crouching so we were at eye level.
"You think I'm stupid, Val?" His tone was almost amused. "You really think saying that is gonna make me go easy on you?"
"I'm not lying!" My hands trembled as I pressed them against my stomach. "I swear, I—”
"Shut her up."
Before I could react, they grabbed me again and forced me back into the water. This time, they held me down longer. My lungs screamed, my body convulsing as I fought—
Then, suddenly, I was pulled up, choking on water, barely able to hold myself up.
"Take her to the pit," Jaxon ordered.
I was dragged outside, my body too weak to fight. The cold night air bit at my wet skin as we reached the pit—a deep, dirt-filled hole, maybe seven feet down, maybe more.
They didn’t hesitate and pushed me into it. I hit the ground hard, the impact jarring every bone in my body. Dirt filled my mouth, my hands scrambling for something to hold onto.
Above me, Jaxon peered down. "Rot down there, Val. If you make it till morning, maybe I'll decide what to do with you.” he said in a cold tone and turned his back leaving.
The pit was shallow enough for them to see me, but too high for me to climb out.
The sky rumbled and then the worst I feared for happened. Like I haven't choked enough in the warehouse.
******
Jaxon stood in his study, staring at the glass of whiskey in his hand. The rain hadn’t started yet, but the air was heavy, thick with the storm about to break.
"Sir." Mason, his personal assistant, stood near the doorway, shifting anxiously on his feet. Jaxon didn’t bother looking up.
"It's about to rain," Mason said hesitantly. "And Miss Valerie... she's still in the pit."
Jaxon swirled the whiskey in his glass. "So?"
"Sir, she's scared of being alone." Mason's voice was tight with worry. "And... she's pregnant. If she stays out there in the rain, she'll catch a cold."
Jaxon’s grip on the glass tightened, his jaw clenching.
“Pregnant.” He scoffed, shaking his head. "You actually believe that?"
Mason hesitated. "What if she is?"
"You're smarter than this, Mason. Don't waste my time with her lies.” Jaxon said, his tone sharp.
Mason’s lips parted slightly like he wanted to argue, but one look from Jaxon silenced him.
Jaxon turned away, heading toward his bedroom. "I won't spare her, not unless Nora wakes up."
Mason exhaled softly, his expression grim. But he nodded. "Yes, sir."
*****
Jaxon pushed open the bedroom door.
Inside, Nora lay curled under the blankets, her face pale, bruises littering her skin. She was still unconscious, her breath barely making a sound.
His chest tightened seeing her in such a state. Carefully, he pulled the duvet higher, making sure she was warm.
The rain pounded against the mansion windows, but Jaxon wasn’t listening to it. He sat on the edge of the bed, his fingers grazing Nora’s cheek. A soft groan escaped her lips, and her eyes fluttered open. Jaxon immediately leaned in.
“Nora,” he murmured.
She blinked slowly, confusion clouding her face before her lips parted. “Where’s Valerie?”
The tenderness in Jaxon’s eyes hardened. His jaw clenched as he pulled back slightly, rolling his shoulders as if shaking off an irritation. “That’s the first thing you ask me?”
Nora’s brows furrowed. “You know she’s my best friend, Jaxon.”
Jaxon’s fingers twitched, gripping the blanket over her like he was holding himself back. “She’s the reason you’re lying here in the first place, Nora. Why the hell do you care?”
Nora tried to sit up, wincing from the pain. “I’m sure she didn't mean to hurt me. Valerie—”
Jaxon grabbed her wrist gently, stopping her from moving too much. His touch was protective, even as his face twisted with anger. “Nora, I watched you barely breathing on that floor today. I saw the bruises. And all you can think about is her?”
Nora sighed, squeezing his hand weakly. “Jaxon, she’s—”
Jaxon exhaled sharply, his grip on Nora’s wrist tightening for a brief moment before he forced himself to loosen it. His other hand rose to brush a damp strand of hair from her face,
Nora’s breath hitched. “Jaxon—”
“I don’t care how close you two were. She nearly got you killed. And if she thinks she can do it again—” He inhaled sharply, his body vibrating with controlled rage. “I won’t give her a second chance.”
If Valerie tries this again,” he continued, his fingers tracing down her arm in a slow, possessive glide, “I won’t hesitate. I will kill her.”
