Bought Back by the Hot Boss

Six years ago, my husband Gideon and I were traveling overseas when we were taken. Kidnapped. Our families could only afford to pay the ransom for one of us.

For Gideon's sake, I made the choice to stay behind. I let him go home.

Later, a powerful man paid my ransom. In return, I worked under him for six years—and eventually became his most trusted aide.

By the sixth year, I had helped him resolve all his troubles. Finally, he allowed me to leave. With nothing holding me back, I started my journey home.

But what I never expected… was to come back and find Gideon Chase not only successful, but completely unmoved by my absence. He was living happily with his first love. They had two kids together.

Furious, I confronted him. I asked why he never waited. Why he never came back for me once he had the means.

He looked at me with ice in his eyes. "Celine," he said, "why would I save you?"

"You've been passed around God knows how many men over the past six years. Who knows if you're even clean anymore?"

His words were so cruel, so heartless, I actually laughed in disbelief.

This was the man I once loved. The one I sacrificed everything for.

In that moment, all I felt for Gideon Chase was pure, undiluted hate.

If that's how he wanted to play it—fine. He was going to pay back every last cent he owed me.

"Celine Rivers," he said, his voice flat. "We're still legally married. My company is about to go public. If you show up now, I'll never divorce you."

He stared me down. If we divorced, he'd have to give me half of everything—something his pride couldn't stomach. Not to mention the story behind his freedom six years ago. If it got out now, it would ruin his company's IPO.

But I held his gaze and shook my head. "Gideon Chase," I said firmly. "Let's get a divorce."

He didn't answer. Instead, he raised his hand. On his signal, a group of men rushed in, dragged me away, and locked me in a room.

"Cool off in here," Gideon said, his voice detached. "As long as you do what I say, you remain Mrs. Chase. You'll live comfortably. My children will take care of you when you're old. Refuse… and I'll send you back overseas."

With that, he turned and walked away. Cold. Final.

I was a prisoner in the Chase mansion. Two bodyguards stood watch outside my door. No way out.

But Gideon made one mistake—he didn't take my phone. To him, I was just some helpless woman who'd stumbled back home alone. He probably assumed I didn't even have one.

What he didn't know was… I didn't come back alone.

I picked up my phone and made a call.

"Sir," I said, my voice shaking. "I need your help."