In Bed With Her Shithead Boss (By Ellie Wynters) novel Chapter 247

"They said your father was contacted." Keira climbed back down, her torn dress catching on the metal edge, ripping it. "Will he pay regardless of the rules?"

Alexei's expression darkened. "Officially, Wystovia doesn't negotiate with kidnappers."

"And unofficially?"

"He's, my father." He paused. "Your sisters? Their husbands? What will they do?"

"They'll tear the city apart looking for me. They have resources even your father doesn't, because they know this town."

Alexei nodded, then winced at the movement. He swayed slightly.

"Sit down," Keira ordered, rushing to his side. "You have a concussion."

"I'm fine—"

"You're not fine. Your pupils are different sizes." She guided him to the floor. "Let me look at that cut."

She tore a strip from the bottom of her dress, went to find the bathroom, coming back with it wet and gently dabbed at the dried blood on his temple. The wound wasn't as deep as she'd feared, but head injuries were unpredictable.

"Not how I imagined getting you to tear your clothes off," Alexei murmured, a weak attempt at humor.

"Shut up," she replied, but without her usual bite. "You need to stay awake."

"I know the drill. No sleeping with a concussion." His eyes met hers. "Talk to me. Keep me conscious."

Keira sat beside him, their shoulders touching again. "What should I talk about?"

"Tell me what you were going to say. Before they grabbed us."

She tensed. "That's what you want to discuss? Now?"

"Why not? We might die here."

"Don't say that." She swallowed hard. "We're not going to die."

"Then humor a concussed prince." His voice softened. "You were about to tell me something."

Keira sighed, looking at the far wall. "I was going to tell you to back off."

"Liar."

"Fine." She turned to face him. "I was going to say that yes, sometimes I've thought about it. About you. But it doesn't matter because it can't happen."

He started to smile, but she held up a hand.

"Don't get cocky. Thinking about something doesn't mean it's a good idea."

"Why not?"

"You know why not." She gestured around them. "Even without this kidnapping mess, we're a disaster waiting to happen. You're a prince with commitments and expectations. I'm your employee."

"Former employee," he corrected. "After this, I'm never letting you work for me again."

"Excuse me?"

"I'm firing you," he said simply. "Consider it, effective immediately."

Keira gaped at him. "You're firing me? Now? In the middle of a kidnapping? That's almost as bad as breaking up by text."

A sobering thought settled between them. He was right. They might not make it out of here. The knowledge sat heavy in her chest.

Keira's fingers tightened around his. "If we get out of this—"

"When," he corrected.

"When we get out," she amended, "I'll consider... reconsidering."

His smile was worth the concession. "That's all I ask."

She rolled her eyes. "You ask for way more than that on a daily basis."

"True." He leaned his head back against the wall, looking paler than before. "But right now, I'd settle for a helicopter rescue and some strong painkillers."

Keira studied the room again. The shelving was bolted to the floor. The window wasn't an exit option without cutting the bars first. The door was solid metal with no visible hinges from their side.

"We need to be ready when they come back," she said, mind working overtime. "They'll expect us to be weak, compliant."

"We can use that," Alexei agreed. "Let them underestimate us."

"I could fake being sick," she suggested. "When they check on me, you could jump them."

He shook his head. "Too risky. If they have guns drawn—"

"Then what do you suggest?"

Before he could answer, the sound of a vehicle pulling up outside reached them. Footsteps approached, then voices different from before. More men?

Now that they were both free, Keira didn't think they would come down here without reinforcements.