Abducted By My Father's Best Friend (Taken)

I can’t answer his taunt or I might incriminate myself.

“Go away.” I head to the bathroom, slamming the door shut behind me, breathing hard and fast, angry he affected me.

I need to get home and see my father to figure out a way out of this whole Bishop mess. Instead, I’m here, traipsing around the world with the sexy, infuriatingly handsome Sebastian Cain.

I’m sure he knows just what he does to women.

I bet he’s an arrogant prick who makes women come and then leaves them the next morning.

Well, that woman will never be me.

I’ll never succumb to a man like him.

Here’s the thing, I have dreams of my own. I want to breathe life into an exciting event planning business. The restaurant is a stepping stone, because I’m getting tired of men dictating my life for me.

First, with my father.

Second, with Sebastian and how he’s constantly shooting down my ideas at work.

Lastly, with Bishop. Now I can’t go home because this man is angry with my family, and I have to pay the price.

I take a quick shower, brush my teeth and step out of the bathroom.

Sebastian has his jeans and black tee on, with two cups of coffee in his hands. “Peace offering.” He holds out a Styrofoam cup toward me.

I take it and breathe in the aroma of roasted beans. “Thank you.” I sip the black coffee. “Ew. They didn’t have sugar, cream, nothing?” I set the coffee down on the nightstand.

He shrugs. “Didn’t know how you took it.”

“Yes you do. We’ve worked together for so long.”

He laughs. “Ok, well I figured you should try it this way. It wakes you up. Adding all that frill and sugar, caramel, and whatever else corporate America deems you add in it is what gives you the crash.” He smiles. “Are you awake?”

I lift the cup, trying for another sip. I set it back down. “Nope, can’t do it.”

He laughs. “Yes, you can. Try again. Breathe it in and take a refreshing sip.”

I do as he says and try to work past the bitter taste. “I guess it’s better.”

“It’s an acquired taste. Over time, you’ll come to love it.”

Is Sebastian Cain an acquired taste?

I can’t trust him or his dazzling intense eyes.

“What’s on the agenda today?”

“Jeremy’s almost here. He has our things, some other stuff, and then we’re catching a flight to Italy. I have something to run by you.” He rubs a hand on the back of his neck.

“What’s that?” If he tells me we have to pretend to be lovers, I’m leaving.

I just can’t do it. I’ll get lost in the feeling of it all.

“Well,” he breathes in deep, “your father and I created a fake entity. Under the name of Donovan Sabatini. We launder money through this name.”

“Ok?”

“We gave him a little identity, nothing big, but the Grotto family knows Sabatini.”

“But he doesn’t really exist?”

“Right, but they don’t know that.”

“So, you’re going to pretend to be him?”

Sebastian nods. “It’s more than that.”

I cross my arms over my chest, waiting for the ball to drop. “Do we need to pretend to be married?” I laugh a little.

Sebastian does not laugh. “No, worse.”

“Worse?” My stomach drops.

“Your father told the family that Sabatini had a daughter. A daughter who ran the show with him, and she traveled with him everywhere.”

What?

Wait.

Father and daughter. Sure, Sebastian is a lot older than me, but in a sexy way. I’ve had fantasies about this man. I could never picture him as my father.

“Do we have to pretend to be father and daughter?” My eyes nearly bulge out of my head at this thought.

He stares at me through incredibly long lashes. He really is such a stunning man to look at. “Yeah, is that going to be a problem?”

We’re interrupted by a knock on the door, and Sebastian pulls a gun from the waistband of his pants.

My eyes go wide. “Has that been on you this whole time?”

He points the silver and blue gun up, finger on the trigger. “What, my Colt 45? I never leave home without it.”

After sticking one eye to the peephole, he slides the gun back into his waistband and opens the door. “Jeremy, finally. Come in.”

Jeremy strides over the threshold with two giant black suitcases in his hands. “I got your tickets, passports, and new identities all settled for you, Boss.” He hands a manilla envelope over to Sebastian.

I step closer, worried no one will ever buy that Sebastian and I are father and daughter. I mean, are you supposed to be attracted to your own father?

I push that thought away, permanently.

Sebastian swings the door shut and takes one suitcase from Jeremy. “I’d like you to take the jet back stateside and lie low until this is all over.”

“Sure thing.” They shake hands and then Jeremy leaves.

“I’m scared,” I tell Sebastian.

For the first time since we’ve started this journey, I fear the risks involved. He will die if his plan fails.