“No, please do.”
She smiles and takes the seat next to me. “I’m sorry they’re holding you here. I know it sucks getting caught in the middle of something that’s not your fault. I thought I could at least come by and check on you, give you some company, so you’re not so alone all day.”
Her genuineness is almost too much. I have no clue why she is being so nice to me, but being deprived of human contact for the most part, over the last few days, has me really appreciating the gesture.
“Thank you,” I say, having the odd urge to hug her as well. Since that would be a little weird, I refrain. Unable to think of anything else to ask, I blurt out, “So, how did you and Xander meet?”
She scoots up on the bed, leaning her back against the wall like she is getting comfortable.
Is she going to stay here with me?
“Believe it or not, it was a very similar situation to the way you met him. I was being held captive by his father. He was a bad man, and he was about to hurt me… Xander and his men raided the compound I was being held at. He saved me and took me home.”
Now his comment about me reminding him of someone makes sense. He must have meant his wife since we were in a similar situation.
“Wow… and you just stayed here with him? Did he not give you the chance to leave?”
“I didn’t want to leave.” Ella smiles. “But, don’t worry, he won’t keep you here forever.”
“Are you sure about that?”
“He has no reason to.” Ella shrugs. “He’s just keeping you right now until he finds the best way to…” She trails off, unable to find the right word.
“The best way to use me?” I finish for her. “I mean, you don’t have to sugarcoat it. He is using me as a bargaining chip to get what he wants, isn’t he?”
Ella lowers her head in shame. “I’m sorry, but yes. Yes, he is.”
“Don’t be sorry, it’s not your fault. I just wish I could talk to Zane.”
“Who is Zane?” Ella asks curiously.
“He is my… well, I don’t really know what he is.” My everything.
I spend the next ten minutes telling Ella my story. I tell her how Zane and I met in foster care and that I thought he died. We talk about him kidnapping me, and then me getting kidnapped again by Christian.
“So, what else do you do? Besides getting kidnapped on a regular basis?” Ella chuckles, and I can’t help but giggle with her. For the first time in many days, I laugh, actually laugh.
We talk for a while, Ella tells me about her sister being married to Ivan and how they were pregnant at the same time. Momentarily, I forget where I am and why I’m here. Right now, it feels like it’s just an old friend and me catching up.
Reality comes crashing back down on me when I hear an angry voice yelling at the guard in front of my door. A few seconds later, the door swings open, and Xander waltzes inside, wearing a mask of fury on his face.
“What the hell are you doing here?” He scowls at Ella, who seems completely unaffected by his stare. A stare that has a shiver running down my spine.
“Don’t overreact. I’m fine. We were just talking.” She gets up and goes to stand by his side, touching his arm tenderly. I can see the rage seeping away from his body, from across the room. His shoulders relax, and the white-knuckled fists by his sides, turn back to lax hands.
“Go back home, mouse,” he tells her. She pushes up onto her tiptoes and gives him a chased kiss on the lips before heading out of the room, but not before giving me a tiny wave goodbye. As soon as she’s gone, I miss her presence. It’s like she’s taken the warmth in the room with her.
“Put your shoes on, it’s time to go,” Xander orders, crossing his arms in front of him.
The news leaves me shocked. “What do you mean? Where am I going?”
“Zane and Matteo arranged a meeting with me. They want to trade you for some territory.”
I should probably be offended that I’m being bargained with for a plot of land, but right this second, all I can process is that I’m finally going to get to see Zane again. I jump up from the bed and put my shoes on in a hurry.
“Why is Matteo willing to give up land for you?”
“Who?” I ask as I straighten up. “Who is Matteo?”
“One of my rivals as well as Christian’s. Zane must have some valuable information he is trading… or something else? What if he has information that can hurt me in the long run?”