Hostage

One

Multicolored lights painted the room like a work of abstract art. Bouncing from wall to wall, the beams illuminated objects in their path with vibrant pigments. The deep base admitted from the enormous speakers sent vibrations through the air, resonating in the chests of the space's inhabitants. Throughout the crowded club, people were dancing, masses of bodies swaying to the hypnotic rhythm.

 Fighting her way through the mob, was a small, but determined blonde. She finally waved down the struggling server at the bar, and was given her drink. The glass was icy on her palm and the bitter liquid warmed her throat as she chugged the stressful workday away.

Her glass was nearing empty and she was about to return to her friends and "Girls' Night" on the dance floor when a tall, broad man appeared next to her.

"Excuse me," her gaze rose to the source of the words.

Intense eyes and a hard jaw covered by short, dark stubble faced down on her.

"Do you have a sun burn, or are you always this hot?"

For a moment, she was stricken. The cheesy words seemed out of place in this serious stranger's mouth, but his lips pulled back to reveal a white, cocky smile. She couldn't help being amused by the man's blind confidence.

With a short huff of laughter she said, "That has got to be the lamest pick-up line in existence," turning to the bartender to pay for the beer.

The man leaned in slightly, the smell of expensive cologne reaching the girl's nose, "Don't worry. That's just plan A."

It was obvious, from the way he lowered his voice to a gruff whisper and glanced over her body, what his intentions were, and although he was quite handsome, this not-so-bimbo blonde was not interested. However, her curiosity got the best of her and she humored him.

"So what's plan B?"

Suddenly, his eyes turned cold and a satirical grin replaced his flirtatious one, "To take you hostage."

Something hard was shoved into her side, concealed from rest of the bar by his body. Her stomach dropped to the floor when she realized what was happening, and a gasp escaped her lips as fear and shock gripped her. Before she could say a word, the large man bent so his lips were so close to her ear that she could feel his warm breath on her neck.

"Allison Bennett, if you make one sound, I will send you to the ground."