Zade meadows / kidnapping!!

The monitors in the basement safehouse cast a cool blue light over the steel desk as Zade watched the live stream of her bedroom window—left unlatched by three inches.

Marcus stepped into the room, tablet in hand. "Boss, syndicate scouts just entered the north perimeter of her street."

Zade’s eyes never left the screen. "Put them down. Intercept them before they take another step."

"Do we pull her out and move her?" Marcus asked.

"No," Zade said, his voice cold and unwavering. "She stays where she is. But if anyone so much as look at her building, kill them. She’s mine, and I protect what’s mine."

Left alone, Zade watched her sit down on the edge of her bed, entirely unaware of the blood spilled blocks away to keep her safe. He picked up his encrypted phone and sent the message.

[Text Message]

Zade: "You locked the front door, but left the balcony window open by three inches. Impressive, but careless."

Her phone screen lit up on the nightstand. She picked it up, her forehead creased in confusion.

User: "Who is this? Is this some kind of joke?"

Zade: "Look at your window. You think a thin piece of glass keeps you safe from what's outside?"

She froze, snapping her head toward the dark glass, her breath hitching.

User: "How do you know about my window? Who are you? I'm calling the police right now."

Zade: "Go ahead. But by the time they answer, I’ll already be inside. Sit back down and put the phone down."

User: "Leave me alone! What do you want from me?"

Zade: "I've spent the last month watching your every move. I know your routes, your habits, and everyone you speak to. From tonight, you are under my protection—whether you want it or not."

User: "I don't need your protection! Get away from my house!"

Zade: "You have no idea what's waiting out there in the dark. Lock the window if it helps you sleep, sweetheart. But remember—locks only work on people who care about permission."

[Three Days Later – The Abduction]

Heavy rain poured over the neon-lit alley behind the convenience store. She stepped out with a small shopping bag, pulling her jacket tight against the cold wind. The street was completely empty—until a black SUV glided to a silent stop right in front of her. Before she could scream, two men in tactical gear stepped out, blocking her path, while a tall figure emerged from the back door. Zade moved with terrifying speed, stepping into her space before she could even turn to run.

"Get away from me!" she shrieked, dropping her bag and reaching for her phone.

Zade caught both of her wrists in one hand, pinning them effortlessly against her waist, while his free arm wrapped around her waist like an iron band, pulling her flush against his chest.

"Shh... quiet now," Zade murmured into her ear, his deep voice terrifyingly calm despite the storm. "I told you the locks wouldn't save you. Time to go home."

"Let me go! Help!" she yelled, thrashing violently against his grip.

Zade easily lifted her off her feet, tossing her into the plush leather back seat of the SUV and sliding in right behind her. The automatic doors sealed shut, cutting off all sound from the outside world as the vehicle sped away into the night.

[Inside the Mansion - Later That Night]

The massive double doors of the master suite clicked locked from the outside. Zade stood near the fireplace, casually peeling off his damp leather gloves, his dark, intense eyes fixed entirely on her as she cowered near the headboard of the canopy bed.

"You're out of your mind!" she sobbed, her body shaking from adrenaline. "You took me from the street! Let me leave right now!"

Zade walked toward the bed with slow, measured steps. He didn't look angry; he looked completely satisfied. He leaned down, planting one heavy palm on the mattress next to her hip, trapping her.

"Leave?" Zade asked softly, reaching out to firmly cup her chin in his broad hand, forcing her to look straight into his dark eyes. "Sweetheart, the outside world is filled with people who want to hurt you. I brought you to the only place on earth where you are completely safe."

"This is a prison!" she spat out, trying to pull away from his grip.

"It's a sanctuary," Zade corrected, his thumb brushing over her trembling lower lip with deliberate possessiveness. "You have everything you could ever ask for here—luxury, comfort, and absolute protection. But you will never step outside those gates again. You belong to me now."

The rain pounds relentlessly against the alley pavement behind the restaurant. The sleek black SUV blocks your only exit, its engine idling silently. Zade steps out of the shadow of the vehicle, his tall frame completely blocking your path. Before you can back away or scream, his heavy hand pins both of your wrists together, his other arm wrapping like iron around your waist to lift you effortlessly off the wet ground.

"Get your hands off me! Help! Somebody help me!" You struggle violently, kicking your legs, but his grip doesn't loosen even an inch. He carries you straight toward the open back door of the SUV.

"Save your breath, sweetheart. No one can hear you over the rain, and my men own this street tonight," Zade murmurs, his voice low and disturbingly steady right against your ear.

He slides into the plush leather back seat with you, pulling you into his space as the heavy doors seal shut with a deep click, cutting off all outside sound.

"Let me go! Please, just let me go! I don't even know who you are!" You thrash against his chest, trying to push him away.

"You know me. I'm the one who warned you about that window," Zade says softly, his thumb pressing firmly against your jaw to tilt your face up toward his in the dim light of the cabin. "I told you locks wouldn't save you. You're coming home with me."

The massive, reinforced doors of the mansion’s primary suite click locked with a heavy electronic chime. You scramble backward across the velvet mattress until your back hits the headboard, your heart hammering against your ribs. Zade slowly unbuttons his black leather gloves, tossing them onto a nearby chair. His dark eyes never leave yours as he walks toward the bed with slow, calculated steps.

"You're insane! You kidnapped me off the street! Unlock these doors right now!" you shout, holding your ground against the headboard.

He doesn't answer right away. Instead, he places one heavy hand on the mattress right next to your hip, leaning down until his shadow completely covers you. "These doors stay locked. The windows are bulletproof glass, and the locks only respond to my biometric scan. You aren't stepping outside again."

"You can't keep me trapped in here like a prisoner!"

Zade reaches out, his broad hand cupping your jaw with an iron, possessive grip that prevents you from turning away. "You're not a prisoner, sweetheart. You're my priority. The outside world is full of threats I can't control. But in this room, under my roof, you belong entirely to me—and no one will ever lay a finger on you again

Morning sunlight streams through the floor-to-ceiling glass. You stand at the balcony doors, frantically hitting the biometric keypad, but the red light blinks back continuously. The heavy suite door chimes open, and Zade walks in carrying a silver breakfast tray. He sets it on the bedside table, completely unbothered by your furious glaring.

"I am not eating your food, and I am not staying in this room! I want my life back!" You glare at him, your hands clenched into fists.

Zade glides behind you, his massive frame towering over your back. Without warning, his arm snakes around your waist, pulling your back flush against his broad chest. "Your old life is over. The sooner you accept that, the easier this will be for you."

"I will never accept this! I hate you!" You try to twist out of his grip, but his arm tightens like steel around your waist.

He leans down, pressing a slow, firm kiss against the crook of your neck despite your protest. "Hate me all you want, sweetheart. You're still eating breakfast, and you're still staying right here where you're safe