Billionaire Undaunted: The Billionaire's Obsession ~ Zane (3 page)

He kept trying his cell phone, but he was in a dead zone, and he didn’t want to leave Ellie to try to attempt to find an area that could pick up a signal. More than likely, nothing would be close. He was pretty sure this whole desolate mountain area was off the grid.

As it started getting dark, he fired up an ancient generator that would give them some light, and then fed the hungry stove more wood, noticing that the tiny dwelling was already getting warmer.

As he sat back down on the bed to heft Ellie up to drink some more, he was elated to see that she was swallowing more readily.

“Come on, Ellie. Just a little more,” he crooned, trying to cajole her into a few more swallows.

She complied, and he set the cup on a small, rustic bedside table.

“Zane?” The weak voice was barely a whisper.

But he heard it.

His head jerked toward Ellie, his heart racing as he saw her eyelids flicker before she opened them completely.

A look of horror crossed her face for just a moment until she focused in on him. “Zane?” she asked again uncertainly, her whisper panicked and scared.

“Yeah. It’s me, Ellie. It’s Zane.” He stroked a gentle hand over her hair. “You’re safe. Don’t be afraid.”
Jesus!
He hated seeing that terrified look on her face.

“James,” she rasped.

He put his fingers over her lips. “Don’t try to talk. James is dead. He can never hurt you again. You have to rest, Ellie. I’ve been trying to rehydrate you. You’re pretty weak, and I need to get you to the hospital. The weather is shit. Just rest until I can get you out of here, okay?”

She nodded feebly, as though she understood him, and her eyes fluttered closed.

Zane went to rise from the bed, but Ellie said softly, “Don’t go, Zane. Please. I think I’m hallucinating, but I want it to last.”

Kicking off his boots, he pivoted and stretched his body out next to hers. “You’re not dreaming, and me being here is no illusion. James is dead and he’s never coming back. I can’t take you down the mountain right now. We’re in a blizzard. But I’ll get you to safety as fast as I can.”

He gently wrapped his arms around her and placed her head on his chest, smoothing his hand rhythmically over her now-dry hair.

“I think I’m already safe,” she said hesitantly, snuggling into his body.

“Damn right you are. I won’t let anything happen to you, Ellie. I promise.”

She sighed lightly, and then her breathing became even and deep. Zane knew that she was sleeping, no longer in an unconscious state.

Relief flowed over him as his body relaxed. He put both arms protectively around Ellie, rocking her body gently in an effort to comfort her, but maybe just a little bit for himself, too, because he was so damn grateful that she was alive.

Finally, with Ellie cuddled safe and warm against him, Zane slept.

E
llie opened her eyes, confused.

Where am I? What happened?

James!

Panic seized her as she looked around, terrified that it was James’s return to the cabin that had woken her. Fear and dread seized her by the throat, but she noticed her mouth was no longer as dry as the desert.

Pulse racing, her breathing erratic, Ellie’s reaction was pure terror. Frantically, she started to look around the cabin, hoping there was nobody here.

Except…she wasn’t in the cabin anymore. Her rational mind started to function and she slowly tried to take in her surroundings.

It didn’t take her long to realize she was in the hospital, medical personnel scurrying around and passing the open door to the hallway at a pace that made her dizzy.

The white sheets and blankets that were covering her helped verify her location, as did the IV in her arm and all of the wires attached to her body.

She started to feel terror welling up inside her, not understanding why she was here or how she got to a hospital, when she heard
his
voice.

“Thank fuck! You’re awake.”

Her head jerked up to see an exhausted-looking Zane Colter at her bedside, his clothing rumbled and his hair mussed, as though he’d been running his hand through it over and over again.

Her suspicion was confirmed when he raked his hand through his hair again, either in relief or frustration. Sometimes with Zane, it was hard to tell what he was thinking. But stoic or not, she was glad he was here, and she felt her body relax for the first time in a very long time.

“What happened?” Her voice was as weak as her body. “How did I get here?”

“You don’t remember anything?” Zane asked with a frown.

Ellie probed her brain, vaguely remembering hearing Zane’s voice telling her everything would be okay. “I thought you were a dream.”

“I hardly think I’m anybody’s dream,” Zane said drily.

Ellie suddenly remembered how she had gotten in her current condition in the first place, horrifying memories flowing back into her brain as she struggled to sit up in bed. “Oh, God. I have to talk to Chloe. James—”

He pushed her back down gently. She didn’t have the strength to really move, much less sit up.

“Is dead,” Zane finished. “He killed himself, Ellie. Before that, he was in the hospital because he was stupid enough to hurt our sister. That’s why you didn’t get food and water. You were in bad shape when I finally found you in that cabin.”

“Chloe—”

“My little sister is on her honeymoon. She married Gabe Walker, a man who will take good care of her.”

Ellie’s head was spinning by the time he caught her up on what had happened to Chloe, and how she’d been blackmailed. She’d missed so much, and so many things had happened while she’d been held captive by James.

“Thank God,” Ellie whispered and let her head fall back onto the pillow. “After I saw those videos, I was so afraid for her.”

“He knew that you knew about them?”

Ellie nodded. “He caught me with his laptop. I was on my way to Chloe when he kidnapped me at the office and tossed me in the trunk of his vehicle.”

“Christ!” Zane cursed vehemently.

“I was unconscious for a while, so I didn’t know how far he’d driven. I didn’t even know exactly where he had me hidden. All I knew was that I was in some sort of cabin, and I assumed it was remote. I never did figure out why he didn’t just kill me.”

“Insurance,” Zane grumbled. “I have no doubt that after the wedding, he would have stopped caring whether you were alive or dead.”

“Everybody thought I was dead?” she asked quietly.

“Pretty much,” he agreed. “But Chloe and I never stopped looking. Since your car was missing, most people assumed you had either left or were already dead.”

Ellie shuddered. Her poor
Blue Turtle
had been in the office parking lot. Obviously, James had gotten rid of it. “I think I
was
almost dead. Toward the end, I wasn’t sure whether I wanted James to come back, or just let me die.” His visits hadn’t been frequent, but they’d always been painful.

“Don’t say that,” Zane rasped. “I know he beat the crap out of you. Did he rape you, Ellie?”

“No,” she told him, embarrassed. “I was too fat for him in the beginning, and I think he got more joy out of torturing me. Once I got thinner, he told me I was a dirty, disgusting pig.”

Zane stroked her hair absently. “I’m so damn sorry I didn’t find you earlier.”

She smiled up at him weakly. “I’m grateful you found me
at all
.” She hesitated before saying, “I wonder what he did with my car. He could have taken my keys, but I wonder where he hid my old
Blue Turtle.
”

“Your what?” Zane answered, confused.

Ellie sighed. “I called my car my
Blue Turtle
. I had it for so long, but it just kept on going. It just got a little slower over time.”

“It was never found,” Zane confirmed.

“I assume that once you found me, you brought me here. Where are we?”

“Denver. It was closer, and has medical facilities better equipped for the condition you were in. I did what I could the first night of the blizzard, but when you still weren’t coherent the next day, I headed down from the mountain. The snow had let up some, and I had to take the chance of getting you somewhere for treatment.”

“I lost track of time. How long did James keep me there?” Ellie had lost her senses a little at a time, and the days and nights had all run together.

“About seven months,” Zane answered reluctantly.

Ellie’s mouth dropped open in shock. For a while, she’d counted the days and weeks that passed, but eventually she’d slept most of the time when James wasn’t there. After she’d tried everything she could think of to get herself free, her hopes of being rescued had faded. Little by little, her energy had gotten depleted, and she’d started rationing her food and water, never knowing when she’d get some again…or if she
ever
would.

“My mom. She’s probably been heartsick.” If she’d been missing for months, her poor mother was probably worried.

“I called her. Saying she was happy would be an understatement. She’s on her way here from Montana.” He waited a moment before he asked, “Do you want me to tell Chloe?”

“No,” she answered immediately. “She deserves her time away after what happened with James. It sounds like she’s healing. I can see her when she gets back. I hope I’m healthier when I finally see her.”

Ellie didn’t need a mirror to know she looked hideous, and the last thing she wanted was for Chloe to blame herself. Now that she knew the whole story, Ellie knew Chloe had been through enough. Although Ellie desperately wanted her best friend, she didn’t want her to see her this way. Knowing Chloe, she’d blame herself.

“We haven’t told them anything. She doesn’t even know James is dead. I have a feeling Blake probably told Gabe.” Zane sounded slightly uncomfortable. “But I think she might be pissed that I didn’t tell her that I found you.”

“It’s probably better that way, even if she’s a little angry. I’ll tell her it was my idea. Once she feels more together, she’ll be able to handle everything better. She might not fuss as much if I’m stronger.”

“I think she might feel better knowing you’re alive,” Zane answered drily.

“Not yet. Please.” Ellie knew Chloe, and she’d be heartsick if she saw her right now, emaciated and torn up from James’s frequent beatings. She didn’t want her best friend to see her as she was now, not when Chloe had been through so much herself.

“Stop worrying about Chloe. She’s doing a hell of a lot better than you are right now. Do
you
need anything?” Zane asked hesitantly, looking impatient, like he needed something to occupy himself.

She was going to need a lot of things, but she refused to think about that right now. “No. How long have I been here?”

“Two days,” he answered gruffly.

“I don’t remember,” she admitted, unable to recall her transport to the hospital.

“Totally understandable,” Zane informed her. “You were confused because of the dehydration. Luckily, there shouldn’t be any permanent damage once you’re completely healed. Now that you’re getting what you need, everything will correct itself. It will take time to put some weight back on, and you’ll need time to recover from the weakness, but it’s all reversible.”

Ellie noticed that Zane looked completely done in. His expression was weary, his eyes were bloodshot, and there were shadows beneath those expressive gray eyes.

“Have you slept at all? You have a house here in Denver, right? Maybe you should go home and get some rest.” Even as she said the words, her heart lurched at the thought of him leaving her alone. Rationally, she knew she was out of danger, but she selfishly wanted Zane to stay with her for a little while longer.

“Do you honestly think I’m going anywhere? Jesus! I tore up most of Colorado looking for you. I’m not leaving,” he said stubbornly, crossing his arms over his broad chest.

“Then at least sleep tonight.” She glanced out the window, noticing it was dark. There was an extra bed in the room right next to her.

“I can’t believe you’re worried about me. Christ, Ellie. You nearly died, and spent seven months in chains. Me getting some sleep is not a fucking priority.”

She knew if she started to relive the last several months, she’d end up a mess. “Sometimes it’s easier not to think about it. I’m here now. I’m alive. All because of you. I’m getting good care, and I’m awake and talking. There’s no reason for you not to rest.”

“I’ll lie down once you sleep again. I have a feeling it won’t be long.”

Ellie’s eyelids were already feeling heavy, but she fought the welcoming void of darkness, where she knew she’d forget what happened for the moment. “When can I go home?”

“When the doctors say it’s safe,” Zane said testily.

“I don’t even know if I still
have
a home. I have no vehicle. I don’t have a job.” She started to hyperventilate as she thought about all she’d lost. She had been broke before she took the job with James, and she hadn’t worked there long enough to even get her first check.

“Don’t worry about any of that right now,” Zane ordered firmly. “Everything will work itself out. You can come home with me. You won’t have fully regained your strength when you leave here, and you still have injuries to heal and nutritional deficiencies.”

Her chin lifted. “I can take care of myself.” The last thing Ellie needed was Zane’s pity.

“You’re going to be stubborn after everything that’s happened? You can’t take a little help from friends?”

“I may not have a choice,” Ellie admitted. She didn’t know if her apartment was still hers, she had no source of income, and no way to even get around to apply for a job.

“As far as I’m concerned, you don’t have options. I’m taking you home with me even if I have to toss you over my shoulder and drag you there. You need help, and after what happened, I don’t want you out of my sight.”

Friends?
Were she and Zane really friends? Yeah, back in high school she would have said they were, even though she’d also been majorly infatuated with him. But she’d only seen him a handful of times since then, and they hadn’t spoken much. Really, he was the brother of her best friend and just some guy she’d had a crush on in her early years of high school. He had no reason to be stuck to her like glue. Nevertheless, he obviously cared about what happened to her.

“I’m glad you’re here,” Ellie confessed. “I’m feeling a little lost.” Actually she was feeling
plenty
lost, but didn’t want to admit it. Since she was physically weak, the obstacles in front of her seemed overwhelming. Psychologically, she was finding herself almost incapable of not panicking about her future.

“Someday, you’ll have to deal with what happened to you. But that day is
not
today. You need rest and you need to get well. I’ll be right here. I’m not going anywhere,” Zane told her tenaciously.

Ellie shuddered, dreading the time when she’d need to deal with her confinement, the memories of never knowing if the next time James came to the cabin he’d bring supplies…or just kill her off.

Feeling like she had heavy weights on her eyelids, she gave up the struggle of staying awake and closed them. “Someday,” she whispered, wondering if she’d ever be strong enough to actually talk about her experiences when trying to forget seemed so much easier.

“Sleep, Ellie,” Zane said in a deep, hypnotic voice, his hand reaching for hers. He clasped it tightly.

Her first instinct was to flinch away from his touch since every bit of human contact in the last seven months had led to pain. Eventually, the gentleness of his comforting gesture made her relax again. She tried to squeeze his fingers, but everything was too much effort. Taking comfort in the fact that Zane was nearby, she slept.