Chapter 3

The Maybach pulled into the underground garage of the Wall Industries Private Medical Center. The entire floor was empty. The security team had cleared the area.

Hollis got out. He reached into the car, grabbed Carole's arm, and pulled her out.

Carole stumbled. Her twisted ankle gave out, and a sharp pain shot up her leg.

Hollis's entire body went rigid. He sucked in a breath through his teeth.

He cursed under his breath. He bent down, scooped her up into his arms again, and carried her toward the private elevator.

Carole pushed her elbows against his chest. Her elbow hit the bruise on her own ribs.

Both of them groaned at the exact same time.

"Stop moving," Hollis ordered, his jaw tight. "Unless you want to kill us both."

The elevator doors opened on the top floor. A team of doctors and nurses stood in the hallway. They looked at Hollis's dark expression and stepped back nervously.

Hollis carried Carole into the VIP suite and dropped her onto the examination bed.

"Check her head," Hollis told the lead doctor. "And fix her ankle."

The doctor stepped forward. He reached out and gently pressed his fingers against the bump on Carole's forehead.

Carole flinched.

Hollis slammed his fist into the wall. The drywall cracked.

The doctor jumped back, his hands shaking.

"Be gentle," Hollis growled, rubbing his own forehead.

Carole watched him. A strange sense of power washed over her fear. This terrifying man was at her mercy. Her pain was his weakness.

The doctor finished the exam quickly. "It is just a mild concussion and a sprain, Mr. Wall. She needs to rest here tonight."

Hollis waved his hand. The medical team rushed out of the room and closed the door.

Hollis sat down in the chair next to the bed. He stared at her like a predator watching its prey.

Carole pulled the thin hospital blanket up to her chin. "What do you want from me? Ransom?"

Hollis let out a dry laugh. He reached into his jacket pocket, pulled out a folded document, and tossed it onto her lap.

Carole picked it up. Her eyes scanned the thick paper. It was a prenuptial agreement. The groom's name was Hollis Wall.

She looked up, her heart pounding. "You are insane."

Hollis stood up. He looked down at her. "It is the most efficient way to solve our problem."

Carole crumpled the paper and threw it at his chest. "I am not marrying a kidnapper."

Hollis caught the paper. His eyes darkened. He leaned over the bed, planting his hands on either side of her hips, trapping her.

His warm breath hit her face. "Sign it. Or I will crush the Pennington family and buy your adoptive parents' debt by morning."

Carole bit her inner cheek. She glared up at him, refusing to let the tears fall.

Hollis straightened up. He turned around and walked to the door.

"You are not leaving this room tonight," Hollis said.

The heavy door slammed shut. A loud click echoed in the room as the lock engaged.

Carole threw the blanket off. She ran to the door and pulled the handle. It was completely locked.

She slid down the wooden door and sat on the cold floor. She looked at the crumpled marriage agreement.

Through the massive glass window, the lights of Manhattan shined brightly. She was in the most expensive cage in the city.

She picked up the contract. She tore it in half, then tore it again, ripping it into tiny shreds. She threw the pieces into the trash can. She would never give in.

Outside in the hallway, Hollis leaned against the wall. He rubbed his thumb over his knuckles, waiting for the dull ache in his head to fade.