The security video played and Damien watched as Elena was hassled into the van and taken away.

“Inform the police immediately” he instructed, one of his men with him quickly pull out his phone.

“Get me information on the van’s plate number?” he ordered and the man in front of the screen nodded immediately.

Damien moved away from the screen, his eyes filled with worry still. He could not think of anyone who would want to kidnap Elena.

But knowing that she was in danger, his heart pondered against his chest.

“Find her!” he fired at the men.

He has just gathered every IT specialists in his company.

...

Elena did not want to fall asleep but she did after waiting anxiously for hours, refusing to eat.

She heard sounds and got up from the bed, walking quietly and carefully, she approach where the groans was coming from.

She pulled the door slightly, believing it could be another victim like her being tortured.

But instead, her eyes caught Axel. There was a gunshot wound in his upper back, and he groaned again, silently, trying to suppress the pain.

Elena recalled that he was shot earlier when he tried to rescue her from the one who initially kidnapped her.

Her heart ached.

Axel heard a faint gasp and turned to the door, his hand already reached for his gun beside him. When he saw her, he quickly pushed the gun under his pillow.

“What are you doing here?”he asked.

Alfonso who had a scalpel in his hands which he had just used to remove the bullet halt and also turned to the door.

“I... are you alright?” Elena asked, taking few steps in, her eyes lodged on his back.

Axel smiled, seeing her care about him. “I’m fine. It’s nothing” he answered.

But Elena does not look convinced. She remembered the horrible memory of her parents’ death, they were both shot.

Her eyes became glassy at the memory, her face slowly turned pale. And her breath slowed.

Axel noticed the changed countenance, he turned quickly to Alfonso who dropped the scalpel in his hands and took off his gloves stained with blood.

“Why don’t you go back to rest?” Axel told her but she didn’t move.

Alfonso shared a look with Axel who was puzzled. Just as he was about to say something again to her, she move forward again.

‘Let me help” she offered.

He wanted to refuse him but she cut in. “You got shot protecting me, I don’t want to owe you” she added.

Without waiting for his answer, Elena moved close to him, she turned to pick up the wool on the small table and sight the blood.

It made her vision blurred for a second but she shook it off.

Alfonso stepped aside and let her do it instead.

She slowly help clean the blood, while Axel stood stiff, not making a sound. Elena’s eyes roamed down his back and she caught other scars.

A tight gulp went down her throat.

He was indeed a dangerous man. She shouldn’t feel pity for him. But then, he’s also the father of her children.

She picked up the bandage and slowly, placed it on the wound, carefully. She moved closer in a bid to wrap it around his shoulder, in that moment, Axel turned his face.

Elena flinched a bit, as she was leaning close, their faces was an inch apart and their eyes stare at each other.

“Turn around, I need to finish this” she let out without stuttering.

Axel’s lips part slightly in a smile, he obeyed and wait until she was done.

As soon as the bandage was tied, he grabbed her and pulled her to the bed, hovering on top of her, with a mischievous little grin.

Elena widened, her heart beat fast in panic, as she quickly put her arms up strongly to stop him. “What are you doing?” she cried.

Axel’s lips raised up to a side, enjoying her little torment. “What does it look like? Spending the night together” he smirked.

“Isn’t that why you came into my room?”

Elena’s eyes almost popped out of it sockets, her push harder at his chest. “What?” she shrieked.

That wasn’t her intention at all. She had been too fearless, feeling guilt for his pain.

How could she have forgotten that he’s not a good guy? Elena thought in horror.

Axel leaned down despite her palms fiercely pushing him back, her bones barely a match for his muscled body.

He let out his breathe intentionally on her, his lips close to her ear. “I’ve waited six years for you, Elena. I don’t want to wait more” he whispered, every breath of his words filled with overwhelming emotions.

Elena’s ears reddened so much that she thought it was going to burn out of her body, she stared into his eyes, those molten, dangerous amber eyes pinned her in place.

When their gazes met, his eyes instantly devoured her. They prowled over her, slow and deliberate, as if undressing every layer of her defenses.

He didn’t need to touch her, his gaze alone traced over her skin, sending shivers racing down her spine.

The memory from that night suddenly hit Elena her coiled up hands around his neck as she refused to let him go. The terrible yet unforgettable taste of his kisses that left her clamouring for more...

Axel watched her every body movement, like a predator setting a trap. His smirk did not vanish from his lips but rather grew more dangerous.

In that moment, he grabbed one of her hand pushing him away and crashed his lips on hers, putting her hand under the pillow to trap it.

Elena let out a groan, she tried to resist, to fight but she was powerless against him and though she might not admit, his kisses left her pulse stuttering and her thoughts scattered.

The memory of that night came in full recall, forcing her to stop her whimpering for a second to process.

It was no lie, it is indeed him. Elena thought.

She didn’t hesitate again and bite his lips, hard than she intended. Axel stopped the kiss, letting out a low dissatisfied groan.

Elena took the chance and pushed him off, she rushed to the door and out of the room as fast as she can.

She slammed the door of her supposed room, twisting the key lock quickly, afraid that he was after her.

When she was sure that she was safe, Elena leaned on her back to the door and slowly fell to her kneels.

‘what has she gotten herself in to? Why did her heart fluttered?’ Elena thought in a heated breath as she pushed her hair back, her emotions all over