Chapter 833

When Lena was forced onto the helicopter, they’d shoved something down her throat that left her groggy and out of it. She’d been floating in and out of dreams ever since, mostly filled with memories of Aaron. Why Aaron, though? Probably because of Wayne’s gross comment. Aaron was like family—how could anyone think otherwise? Clearly, Wayne’s mind lived in the gutter.

The smell of food wafted through the air, snapping her back to the present. Her stomach growled. Even though she’d been lying down, her body felt weirdly drained. Must’ve been all that dream running she’d done, chasing after Aaron. The thought made her chuckle. Brains were so ridiculous sometimes.

She got out of bed and wandered into the dining area. Wayne and Hayden were already seated, eating in silence. Without a second thought, Lena sat down and grabbed the plate set out for her. She didn’t bother with pleasantries, downing half a glass of milk before digging into the food.

Her total lack of fear—especially considering she’d just been kidnapped—had the two men staring at her like she was some kind of alien. “What?” Lena asked, mid-bite, catching their looks. “You’re taking this awfully well,” Hayden said.

Lena’s mind flicked to the injury on her neck. It didn’t hurt anymore. She said, “What, am I supposed to sit here trembling like some scared little damsel? Pass.” Her motto had always been simple: roll with it. Adapt or die.

“You’ll be cooking from now on,” Wayne said out of nowhere. Lena raised an eyebrow, immediately piecing it together. There was no way criminals like these two were hiring a personal chef, so one of them had clearly cooked the meal they were eating.

“You dragged me here to be your chef? Sorry, wrong girl. These hands are for scalpels, not spatulas.” She stabbed a piece of beef for emphasis. “And seriously, two grown men needing a woman to cook for them? Pathetic. Didn’t you two practically fight each other bending over backward to care for Keira? What’s with the double standard?”

She polished off another bite and chased it with the rest of her milk. “Anyway, not happening. You don’t wanna cook? Fine. We’ll all just starve together.” Wayne and Hayden both frowned, but Lena couldn’t care less. She added, “I’ve survived 30-hour surgeries without food—I can wait you out. Plus, humans can survive days without eating as long as they have water. I’ll just think of it as an impromptu diet.”

In that moment, she was the definition of ‘been through worse, so bring it on.’ Wayne’s tone turned icy. “Fine. Don’t eat at all.” “If you’re eating, I’m eating,” Lena shot back. “You kidnapped me, so if you don’t want me eating, let me go. Better yet, toss me some cash, and I’ll find my own way out.”

Wayne’s scowl deepened as he turned to Hayden, looking for backup. Hayden just smirked lazily. “You’re the one who wanted her kidnapped,” he said. Lena’s quick-fire responses left them both speechless. She finished her meal in record time, while the men were still halfway through theirs.

She leaned back, fixing Hayden with a pointed look. The cold way he’d abducted her, the way he hadn’t even flinched when Keira begged him to stop—it all replayed in her mind. “Are you really Hayden?” she asked. He glanced at her, unfazed. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“I mean, if you are Hayden, I swear when I get back, I’m gonna make sure Keira never forgives you,” she said, her tone sharp. Hayden didn’t look surprised. Honestly, he figured Keira wouldn’t forgive him no matter what. “That depends on whether you make it back,” Hayden said. The warning was crystal clear: her survival wasn’t guaranteed.

Chapter 834