AH collections

the sugar baby escapades (16)

OT6
Word count: 17704
Chapters: 18

Jeremy's situation isn't exactly subtle, per say. Quite a lot of people know he's in a poly relationship with several wealthy people. As long as they aren't aware of the fact that he's actually part of a criminal syndicate, on the FBI's most wanted list and more, then he doesn't care what anyone thinks of him. Being known as the campus's ultimate Sugar Baby rather than a feared criminal who has definitely maybe killed like one or two people (definitely a few more than that but, hey, who's counting right?) is the preferred alternative.

Which is why he isn't panicked at all when his Uber ride off of campus actually turns into an impromptu kidnapping. It should've tipped him off that something was off when the driver was merely standing outside the car waiting for him. He was engrossed in the group chat too much to look up before his phone was swiped from his hands, he was shoved in the car, the doors were locked, and the car took off. It happened so quickly that Jeremy didn't understand what was happening at first. And then it clicked.

Oh.

He's getting kidnapped.

This is not the first time he's dealt with a kidnapping situation. Of course, he's never been the kidnappee. Ryan once. Gavin twice (by the same people no less. He didn't really learn the first time). But now that he's on the other end of it, Jeremy doesn't really know how he should be acting. Why is some random Uber driver kidnapping him from campus? And then he looks at his clothing (name brand), his watch (Rolex), and his phone (iPhone X), and yeah. Maybe it's sort of a giant flashing symbol of a dollar sign that's hovering over his head that makes him a really noticeable target.

All he hopes, really, is that this isn't crew related. He doesn't need a crew related kidnapping during mid-term season. That would be a nightmare to navigate. What would he say to his profs if this dragged on for more than a day? God forbid two days? He already asked for extension on Art during Late Imperial China. He's so not going back to Dr. Kwon to ask for more time. Doing it the first time was difficult enough.

But back to the matter at hand—

He's being kidnapped. He was just at school so he doesn't have any weapons on him. His phone has been confiscated. He doesn't know if he should try to reach out and grapple with guy. That could end up in a pretty serious car crash and he doesn't need that either due to the aforementioned mid-terms.

So he's stuck here until the car stops and the driver moves around in the front and then he brandishes a gun and Jeremy doesn't know if he should act scared or surprised or just take this situation at face value. Like what does he do? Does he put up a good struggle for the sake of the kidnapper? This guy has no idea what he's getting himself into and Jeremy sort of pities him because of it.

"Now you listen to me, punk."

Oh, goodie. Cheesy dialogue.

"You're going to come in with me and then we're going to make a phone call. Whoever your parents are will really want you back and we're going to make a deal, got it?"

I don't have parents, bud.

He doesn't say this however. He just nods along because in all honestly? This is a train wreck in motion, and he's got front row seats.

So he plays dumb and goes along with it. They're in a construction part of town where all the old apartment buildings are slated for demolition before new high rises are put into place. Jeremy knows this location because they've used this exact location for stakeouts before. He really wants to give his kidnapper points for trying at least. The guy's putting himself out there.

"Stop dragging your feet," he's told.

He's pulled into the building and forced up front with a firm hand on his arm. He's marched up the stairs with a gun at his back and he keeps his mouth shut because he doesn't want to get accidentally shot. By the time they arrive on the fifth floor, he's led to one of the rooms and taken inside. Then he's sat down on a chair and told to stay there. Or else. Because, you know, cheesy dialogue and all that.

"All right," his kidnapper says. He's holding his phone in his hand. "You're going to give me a number and I'm going to make the call."

Jeremy nods slowly, doesn't want to spook this man now. He could hurt himself.

So he's given his phone to unlock it and then it's taken from him. And then he remembers what his contact list is like and how much of a joke it is because—

Because Geoff is labeled as 'dad'. He's the OG dad to be sure, but a long time ago Jeremy though it'd be funny and just never remembered to change it back because he got used to it and well, Geoff must be having an interesting conversation right now.

"Let's cut to the chase," his kidnapper says. "I have your son. And if you want to see him again, you'll pay me $250,000 by the next six hours. Cash. Do I make myself clear?"

Kudos to him though. He sounds like he's done this before. It's a reasonable amount in a reasonable amount of time. Maybe Jeremy should give him more credit than he thought.

Until he hears Geoff laughter from the other end of the receiver.

His kidnapper's expression turns into one of confusion and then he looks to Jeremy, says, "Estranged father?"

"That might be one way of putting it," Jeremy says.

But the kidnapper hammers home on his previous message with an added threat of physical violence towards Jeremy, which does have Jeremy squirming because the man has a gun. How could he not be worried? And then the call ends, so hopefully after Geoff's laughing fit passes he actually does something about this because Jeremy doesn't have six hours to spend here. Not when Dr. Kwon's presentation needs to get itself done for its deadline in three days.

"Did you ever think you'd grow up to be what you're doing now?" Jeremy asks because he's waiting and he's bored. Might as well strike up a conversation with the guy who kidnapped a Fake.

"What?" the kidnapper says, looking out through the window down on the streets. "You mean ransoming off rich pricks like you?"

"Wel—hey now. I take offense to being called a prick."

"How much did your watch cost you?"

"That was, um, a gift?"

The kidnapper scoffs. "$250,000 won't hurt a thing for your parents. You got nothing to worry about."

"Oh, but you do, pal," he says quietly and just then, the door to the apartment is kicked in.

It's Ryan and Michael. Of course Geoff would send them. He's probably still rolling around on the floor at being mistaken for Jeremy's dad.

The kidnapper raises his gun, but Ryan is unfazed and Michael is laughing. "Oh, you dumb fuck," he says. "You messed with the wrong crew, bud."

One unconscious kidnapper later, they're in Taco Bell getting a victory snack before heading back to the penthouse.

"Kidnapped by an Uber driver," Ryan says.

"Yeah, right?" Jeremy says. "And it set me back by like two hours. I'm going to be up all night!"

Michael laughs, sinking in his seat at Jeremy's plight. "Your life must be so hard."

"Oh, fuck you guys."