She just wouldn't stop. Her voice grated on my nerves. She always irritated me, but now it was unbearable.

The door suddenly opened, and a tall, hulking man walked in. He had cold brown eyes and sharp features; his exposed arms and neck were covered in intricate tattoos. I guessed he was our kidnapper.

“Our guests are awake—how wonderful,” his voice was surprisingly light and cheerful. “I’m Graves, your host. Pleased to meet you, Princess of the Sterling Pack and her—” he paused, looking at me with amusement, “—infamous sister.”

I blinked in surprise. He’d stated his name casually, as if unconcerned about being identified. Either he was extremely confident, or he believed we wouldn’t have a chance to tell anyone. Both possibilities sent a shiver down my spine.

“Why don’t you untie me? I’ll deal with her first, then it’ll be your turn,” I growled at him.

The guy just laughed. He found it funny because he knew fighting me would be like fighting a child.

“I’d like to see you try,” he mocked.

“Is this what you do in your spare time? Kidnap helpless, unarmed women? Does drugging women into unconsciousness make you feel more like a man?”

“Shut up!” he yelled, his face twisting into an ugly expression.

“Or what?”

“What are you doing? Stop it!” Aurora hissed, fear evident in her voice. “Don’t provoke him.”

I ignored her, staring directly at the tall man with a smirk. “They should cut off your dick. Any man who drugs two women is nothing but a coward who doesn’t deserve to be called a man.”

Honestly, I didn’t even know why I was antagonizing him.

Unexpectedly, however, he burst into laughter. Then, ignoring my taunts, he slowly began pacing the room.

“You see, your ex-husband has done some things that have made a lot of people angry,” my heart pounded in my chest when Graves spoke again. “Unfortunately, you two got caught in the middle of it.”

Aurora looked scared, but she maintained her composure. I was trying to figure out how to get us out of this situation.

“What did he do?” I asked, trying to keep my voice steady.

Graves stopped pacing and looked at me, a smirk playing on his lips. “He betrayed a very dangerous man. One who doesn’t forgive betrayal easily.”

“What does that have to do with us?” I countered, trying to sound braver than I felt.

“You’re leverage,” Graves said simply. “If we can’t get to him directly, we get to him through you.”

My heart sank. This was bad. Really bad.

“We have nothing to do with his actions,” Aurora said, her voice trembling slightly. “Why punish us for what he did?”

Graves laughed. “Because, my dear, that’s how the world works. Sometimes, innocent people suffer for the crimes of others.”

I clenched my fists, feeling a surge of anger. “You think this is right?”

“Whether it’s right or wrong doesn’t matter,” Graves said, getting closer. “What matters is that it gets results.”

The door behind Graves opened, and another man walked in. He looked equally intimidating, with a similar build and a serious expression.

“Boss, everything’s ready,” the man said to Graves.

Graves nodded, then turned to us with an unsettling smile. “Well, ladies, we’ve had enough fun with you. Now it’s time to get down to business.”

I watched nervously as he pulled out a phone and started dialing. Fear coursed through me like ice water. I had no idea what he was planning, but it couldn’t be good.

“Who are you calling?” I asked warily, my voice trembling.

Graves glanced at me, a victorious smile spreading across his face.

“Your dear ex-husband, of course.”