Next Man, Better Plan novel Chapter 1

The moonlight was cold and desolate.

Inside the dilapidated factory, Stephanie Jackson was bound by coarse ropes.

Her slender wrists were bound high above her head, forcing her body against the hard, cold wall.

The man behind her gripped her soft waist, his smile lecherous.

"Ms. Jackson, if no one's coming to pay your ransom, then I'm afraid I can't help you."

She heard the sound of a belt unbuckling behind her. Realizing what the kidnapper intended, Stephanie’s heart pounded with panic.

"Let me call Quennel Gonzalez one more time."

The kidnapper sneered. "You could call him ten more times, but he's not coming, is he? Robbery or rape, I'm gonna get something out of this, one way or another."

His words seemed to galvanize Stephanie.

She struggled against her restraints. "He will come for me, don't you understand? You dare hurt me and Quennel will kill you!"

Stephanie’s eyes were bloodshot, but the slight tremble of her fingertips betrayed her terror.

Her fierce display gave the kidnapper pause. After a moment's thought, he impatiently tossed her the phone.

"Last time."

This time, the call connected.

It was on speakerphone. Before Stephanie could say a word, Quennel's deep voice came through first.

"Stephanie, something's come up with Victoria Powell. I'll celebrate your birthday with you later."

Stephanie's gaze instinctively fell to the time on her phone: 10:30 PM.

Her birthday would be over in an hour and a half.

She had dressed up and waited for him at the restaurant all afternoon.

Quennel never showed. Instead, the moment she stepped out of the restaurant, she was shoved into a car by kidnappers.

She suppressed a sob. "Quennel, I've been kidnapped. Help me."

A few seconds of silence followed from the other end of the line.

Quennel sounded exasperated. "Stephanie, Victoria was in a car accident. She broke her wrist."

"So?"

Stephanie screamed into the phone, "But I'm about to die, Quennel, don't you get it! Your wife is about to be killed by those kidnappers!"

Silence again on his end.

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