Taken

✦ Chapter Five ✦

I took a gulp as Bob harshly pushed me further into the exquisite room. The "leader" of the operation still hadn't looked up at me, he just continued swirling his ink pen skilfully over whatever piece of paper on the desk.

I was led further into the center of the room before Bob let go of my wrist and sarcastically gestured to a red velvet chair that was positioned across from the grand desk.

I sat down unsure of what would occur next.

Within a small moment the man set his fountain pen down before leaning back in his large black leather "throne". He had raven gelled hair that was slicked back severely creating the illusion that he'd recently got out of the shower. He had small dark beady eyes and I felt uncomfortable as they trailed up and down my body. He looked like a wild predator admiring his prey before sinking his teeth into it.

"So.." He began as he reached into his clean white suit, grabbing a silver lighter and detailed cigarette case from the inside pocket. "Violet, I believe. I'm Lorenz Paradito. I'm sure you haven't heard of me" he laughed a croaky laugh, before placing the cigarette to his lips and expelling pungent puffs of stale smoke into the surrounding air. My nose scrunched up at the unwelcoming scent.

"Why am I here?" I asked bravely, tilting my chin up. My jaw was tightened, my eyes focused on him. I was sure as hell not going to give the impression I was scared despite my utter inner terror as to what may arise.

He continued to release little clouds of smoke before tapping the ash off onto a sleek silver ash tray. "Your father" he began, "Victor Wellings, he's quite the fancy-smancy business man."

"What about him?" I asked, genuinely interested about what words would await.

"He's the reason you're here, my love. You see your little daddy owed me money and I don't usually deal charity but I'm a good man. Right, Kev?"

The unfamiliar bulky man beside him smirked as if to answer the question as I felt a lump in my throat drop to the pits of my stomach. Before I realised what exactly I was doing I was shaking my head.

"You're a liar" I stated simply and surprisingly calmly. "My father would never do that".

My father was a good man. That I was certain. He owned a company that delt with small business funds, they would go to him in seek of advice on loans and finances and he would help them out. He actually became quite wealthy from the company which definitely ruled out Lorenz's little statement that my father owed anyone cash.

Lorenz smirked at my words and I hated his irritating too-big-for-my-balls condescending attitude. "I have proof" he assured but I was having none of it.

I stood up swiftly, my fists uncontrollably curling into tight balls. "You are a liar" I snapped, every syllable being pronounced as clear as day. I felt an overpowering force take over me. My father would have told me if he was having money problems.

"You don't have to believe me. In fact I couldn't give a shit if you did or not, my love. It would just be more...rewarding for me to witness a beautiful young girl feel so betrayed by her father that she would agree to work for me." Lorenz held eye contact with me and despite his dark eyes, they were as cold as ice. "What do you say, my love?" His accent laced through the words and his hand was outstretched over his desk as if he was wanting me to shake on his words and accept his offer.

"You want me to work for you? As what?" I crossed my arms, ignoring Lorenz's wavering hand.

He retracted his hand somewhat embarrassed at the decline, or so I'd like to think before straightening his silk black tie.

"You're in college. Good grades. Excelling in your classes. I could use a smart someone like you"

I scoffed. "The answer is no. You're just some kidnapping son-of-bitch. Now if you excuse me, I think I'll be leaving" Just as I turned I was greeted with Bob's unpleasant face obstructing my view of the door.

"You're not going anywhere, girlie" he stated in his dopey voice. If a voice could sound like an overweight cat attempting to fit under the small gap under a garden fence, his would be it.

"Ever heard of a ransom, my love?" Lorenz asked as he strode cooly over to me.

I nodded my head and he grinned a menacing mischievous grin.

"You're mine" The words tumbled out of his voice in a low tone and I felt my breath hitch in my throat as my ears absorbed the words. I felt like the words had more than one meaning, a double entendre.

"That's stupid. You've kidnapped me in exchange for money from a man which you claim to be broke. You're a lying dickhead" I commented my eyes narrowing at the man.

His face changed at my words, it was no longer cool and collected. Instead it held a look of disgust and I could see I pissed him off. He walked over to me and before I could think he slapped me with great force using the back of his hand.

I yelped before bringing my hand quickly up to my cheek in an attempt to soothe the blaze that was brewing under the skin.

"Get her out of my sight" he snarled and I felt myself being dragged by none other than the famous Bob out of the room and back into the maze of hallways.

I remained quiet for most of the journey, possibly to escape the embarrassment that tears were lining my eyes. No one had ever hit me before and I was shocked and pretty shaken up.

Just as Bob was digging through his jean pocket to retrieve the bunch of keys for the cell, I whispered to myself "He won't get away with this" mostly to try and convince myself that I would somehow excape and he would leave my father alone but the words that mistakenly escaped Bob's lips after could have confused the most stable of people...