Kane

I pulled the coat back over her skin and brushed the soft hair out of her face. Grabbing her hand, I examined it for injuries and, to my horror, discovered that her knuckles were bruised, revealing pink skin. Two nails were broken and bleeding.

Pain shot through me as my thumb gently rubbed her injured knuckles.

"Hold on, Zara," I whispered hoarsely, unable to tear my eyes away from her injured hand and peaceful face.

I couldn’t even imagine what she must have been through. How would she have panicked and fought back against the monster trying to kidnap her? How long had she been locked in the elevator?

According to Masji, at least 50 minutes had passed since she was taken away. No wonder she’d lost consciousness. I slowly rubbed my thumb over her injured cheek, praying she hadn’t been seriously injured or sexually assaulted.

Olfi parked the car in the space, and paramedics rushed over. In a flash, they opened the back door and took her from my arms.

"What happened to her?" they asked hastily, strapping her to the stretcher.

"She was attacked, but I don’t know the extent of her injuries," I told them, climbing out of the car and quickly running after her.

They wheeled her in, placing an oxygen mask over her face. I watched helplessly as they wheeled her away, leaving me behind.

Standing there, I felt the strength I’d always possessed drain away.

"Please fill out the paperwork," the employee asked, handing me the form. Grabbing a pen, I set to work, but for the first time, my always calm hand trembled.

Describing my relationship with her as her boyfriend, I thought a lot about how fake it was, and yet we were both bound together, drawn together by circumstance.

I tried to keep her close, to protect her, but unfortunately, I failed. Grabbing the perfect Windsor she had tied around my neck, I loosened it slightly. After filling out the form, I handed it back and began pacing the waiting room impatiently.

Olfi came over with my phone. I immediately called Caysir. As soon as he answered, I asked.

"Is he conscious yet?"

"He’s still unconscious, but we’ve bandaged him," Caysir replied.

"I’ll call Azbial as soon as he gives the go-ahead and the bastard regains consciousness; just take him to the warehouse, and I’ll be there as soon as Zara is out of danger."

"Understood, sir," he replied dryly, and the call ended.

Putting my hand in my pocket, I called Azbial. The mere thought that his security was so weak that someone had gotten in and tried to kidnap her was driving me crazy.

"Mr Sterling, Miss Zara is out of danger?" he asked when the call connected.

"I don’t know, she was taken to the emergency room. Tell me how someone broke through your security system, hacked your system, and tried to kidnap my girlfriend?" I asked in a harsh voice, unable to contain my anger.

"Trust me, Mr Sterling, we have a foolproof system where I personally check every hire. This guy was hired at the last minute, but with a good reference. His past was clean, I double-checked it. No arrests, no convictions, not even a parking ticket."

It made no sense.

Why would someone with no criminal record try to kidnap Zara? Something didn’t add up.

"I’m investigating this myself. Let Caysir take him, and I don’t want the police involved until I’ve dealt with him. This is personal for me, and you know what happens when I get close to someone." Azbial knew the power I wielded and would never contradict me.

"I understand. The police won’t find out. I’m sending two of my guards with Ceysir. My best wishes to Miss Zara and my apologies for the incident. I should have been more vigilant."

"Yes, I should have." After ending the conversation, I pocketed the phone and turned to Olfie.

"I’m going out for a smoke. Call me if you have any news about Zara." He merely nodded at me and stood still as a statue as I walked out into the cold November night.

"Wake up, Zara," I muttered into the air and looked up at the sky in anticipation.

I, too, was worried about her family, knowing she was close to them, a protected child. If they didn’t hear from her every day, I knew they’d become suspicious. I needed her phone number so I could contact them on her behalf if the need arose.

Lighting a cigarette, I tried to let all my worries evaporate with the smoke.

Zara

A weight clouded my mind and my vision. My eyelids felt like lead. With difficulty, I slowly opened them, and the bright light in the room almost hurt.

Where am I?

"Hey! You’re awake. How are you feeling?" a pleasant female voice greeted me, and my gaze fell on a nurse in a dark blue gown.

I was in a hospital, not in that damn elevator. The air was thick with the scent of phenyl and disinfectant. She smiled warmly, and my response widened.

"Pumped me up, what, did you stuff my head with iron ball bearings?"

"No, ma’am, just antibiotics and a sedative," she replied kindly.

I looked around and discovered I was on an IV. My hands were bandaged.

"Someone wants to see you. I’ll send them." She stepped back, lifting the steel tray, and my thoughts returned to the elevator.

’Who was he?’ Nova asked me.

’Did Alpha Kane find me and save me?’ I questioned her, too.

As if answering all my questions, the door opened, and he walked in. He stood 190 cm tall, combining haggardness with charisma.

Alpha’s hair was tousled, as if he were simply running his fingers through it rather than combing it. His tie hung loosely around his neck, but he hadn’t removed it completely. His coat was gone.

The smell of tobacco and whiskey followed Alpha as his dark eyes slid over me with a mixture of relief and peace.