Abducted By My Father's Best Friend (Taken)

“What?” he asks. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

“Like what?”

“You’re looking at me like you’re seeing me for the first time.”

Maybe I am seeing Sebastian for the first time. He looks different today. I guess I’m used to seeing him in suits with a scowl on his face. Right now, he’s casual in jeans and a basic black tee.

He’s a very good-looking man.

For being older, he’s got muscles in all the right places, and for a second, I fantasize about if he’s got a six-pack, or should I say sex-pack, going on under his t-shirt. Staring at him right now, I can see why he gets women to fall at his feet. And for a moment, I wonder what his strong hands would feel like against my skin.

“So,” I start, changing the subject, “when do we go see him?”

“I need you to call him and set up a meeting.” Sebastian tosses my phone in the microwave.

“What are you doing?”

He turns it on, and I watch as my phone spins around in circles. “They can track you through your phone.”

“Who?” My father? Bishop?

“Anyone.” Sebastian steps closer. And for the first time since I’ve been with him, I feel almost afraid. Like here I am, on my own, no one knows where in the world I am.

“I liked that phone. It was so pretty.”

The microwave pops and the phone turns into a pile of goo that shoots sparks out of it.

“Well, you can get a new phone.”

I cross my arms over my chest. “You owe me a new phone.” I hold up my hand. “With,” I pause, then continue to make sure he’s paying attention, “a new diamond case.”

Sebastian rolls his eyes and hands me his phone. “Call him.”

He gives me Nate’s number, and I give him a death glare. “They track you through the card, ya know?”

“No, only if they have the unique number on the back. Doubt anyone has that.”

I turn away from Sebastian, hating the fact he may be right. I have never tracked anyone by their phone before, so I’m not going to even pretend I know how the technology works. I’m sure it’s got something to do with the GPS. Regardless, I’m missing my phone. It’s like a security blanket. Even though it wasn’t my actual phone, I still felt like it was my lifeline to the world.

I almost feel naked without it.

“Nate?” I ask, after a male voice says hello.

“Who’s this?”

“It’s Mia.”

“DeWinter? Um, what’s up?”

“Hey, I’m in Hong Kong and was wondering if we could meet.” When Nate doesn’t respond right away, I add, “I have something to discuss with you.”

“Um, ok sure.” He rattles off an address, and I write it down on a scrap of paper.

We say goodbye, and I hang up and hand the paper over to Sebastian. “Today at four.”

Sebastian smiles at me like I’m a good little pet that’s done his bidding. I feel like I should wait for a gold star or something.

“Perfect. I’ve purchased clothes for you, so you’ll find everything you need in your room.”

“You bought clothes for me?”

“I knew I’d be bringing you here and you’d need things, so I took care of it all.”

“How’d you know my size?”

“Does it matter? I have my ways. Don’t worry, they’ll fit.”

“So, you’re like a kind kidnapper?”

“I’ve got work to do.” Sebastian passes me, and I grab his arm as he does.

“Wait,” he turns to stare at me, “what is this all about? Why couldn’t you set up your own meeting with Nate? I deserve to know.”

He laughs at this. We’re close, so very close, and he gazes at the connection where I hold on to his ridiculously firm bicep.

“You deserve nothing. If it weren’t for me, Bishop would have found you already and killed you.”

“So, I should thank you for that?” I let go of his arm, his words pissing me off.

“Yes, I’m protecting you.”

He’s not being honest with me. He’s lying about something important, and I’m wondering if he’ll ever tell me. What could he possibly need from Nate? And he can’t stand here and say he took me only to protect me.

I glance around his fortress of solitude and know an escape will never happen. The longest I’ve ever run in my life is a mile on the treadmill. I couldn’t come up with anything clever enough to escape. Could I?

“Get dressed. We’ll leave to meet with Nate soon.” He stops and runs a hand down his jaw. “I needed you to contact Nate because I wasn’t sure if he’d see me. I don’t know if the news has traveled yet.”

I blink at him. “News? Does this have anything to do with why you haven’t been around the restaurant?”

Of course, he blows me off and just shakes his head. “Get dressed. We’ll be leaving soon.”

An idea strikes me. I can go to the cops. Maybe they can take me to the American Embassy, and I can reach my father. He’ll know what to do.