42. Taken

**Jodie**

My head throbs, my neck hurts and I need to pee, *badly.* I groan when look at my surroundings. *Fuck...where am I?*

But most importantly... *Who took me?*

The room is mostly vacant when I look at my surroundings. It is clean, in a way, but not personalized, there are no picture frames, knickknacks, not even one item of clothing.

I get up slowly and walk to a door near the bed, carefully turning the handle, and so glad that it is a small bathroom. I hurriedly empty my bladder, not letting myself think about who might be watching. The second I am done, I quickly wash my hands and then pull the drawers under the sink trying to find something, anything, that I can use to defend myself.

But there's nothing, not even a goddamn toothbrush. I walk back to the bedroom and try the dresser and vanity, but they are also empty. *Fuck...where the hell am I?*

I stop to take a bottle of water from the console table and unscrew the cap before drinking it. My throat feels so parch as I take big gulps of the water, but then I freeze when I hear the door unlocked from the other side. I rested the almost empty bottle of water before quickly scanning my surroundings and managed to humiliate myself for even trying to think of hiding under the bed. *Are you fucking five, Jodie? Come on, think!"* But I can't, instead, I just stay there, in the middle of the bedroom when the door opens with my knees ready to collapse from the anticipation alone.

Then, I gasp when I see... "Dad?"

"Jodie, my beautiful daughter," the man stepped into the room and closed the door behind him. My mind decided that it was a good time to stop thinking because I just let him hug me like he just come home from a very long business trip. He still smells and looks like his old self. Years after not seeing him, I hate that I still remember him. His expensive cologne and the perfect tailored designer crisp white shirt. His sleeves were tucked, showing his tan forearms and expensive watch.

"What....what is going on?" I'm so ready to hurt him, punch him, and run, though I know I won't be getting far. I can feel the air of confidence in him and somehow it makes me aware just how much I don't know my real Dad. I don't want to think that he can hurt me, but somehow I know that he will.

"I'm sorry for keeping myself away from you, also your mom and sister. But I've been hiding. You see, someone is framing me. So, I've been working on how to clean my name."

*This is bullshit.* I think to myself as I look at the clean and pristine man in front of me. Now, I realize that the place is being set up as a guest bedroom. It's comfortable and clean but there's nothing else to offer.

"Where's Mom and Miley? Did you get them too?" It's a sliver of hope, but I still wish that he did have them, but when he shook his head my knees went weak. Look like the adrenaline is fading and I'm left with the exhaustion that makes my limbs weak as I sit back on the edge of the bed.

"What am I doing here?"

"What do you mean? You are my daughter. You belong under my roof."

*His roof? This is where he has been staying while his family is slumming in a small apartment.* I am so pissed off that I'm ready to blow.

"Two years you let us fend for yourself. You have no idea what we've been through. I starved for weeks just to make sure Miley could still attend her ballet classes. I work two jobs to pay for *our roof* and you're here..." I look at the room and touch the smooth expensive sheet I know exactly how much it cost because we can't even afford it anymore.

I scoffed before letting my back rest back to the headboard. *Why do I feel so sleepy all of a sudden?*

"I'm sorry, honey, but it's done. You'll be under my care again. You'll be safe."

*What the hell?"* He smiles and tucks me in under the cover before kissing the top of my head.

"Sleep, Jodie. You have nothing to worry about now. We will be together again soon enough, then we'll go somewhere. Just the four of us." His hand brushes mine.

"Why? Why am I so sleepy?" My voice is small. I know something is not right. *This is bad. Really bad.*

"Everything is going to be okay, you should sleep."

*No...something is definitely wrong. I shouldn't be sleepy this fast.*

"Was there something in the bottled water?" My tone is a bit blurry but I manage to get the words out, though my eyelids feel so damn heavy.

"There's one more thing I need you to do. Then all will be normal again. Once Ian Maverick has you as his new young bride then our family will be under their protection. We will be safe. I'm giving you the happy ending, Jodie. You won't have to work for the rest of your life again."

*What is going on? What is Dad talking about? Why is he marrying me off?"* Before I can think further, everything went dark.

I am awake still in the same bed, in the same room. I feel a needle in my hand and instantly wake up from what feels like a rush of adrenaline.

"There she is. She looked as beautiful as I remembered, my dear friend." An older man, looking as well dressed as Dad is on my side.

I instinctively scooted back, but I failed as I was not able to move my limbs. *Oh my god...what is happening to me?* I look at Dad, and he is giving me his smile, looking calm and sickening sweet that he makes me want to throw up.

"Ian, I know you will take care of her as you will take us under your wing. I should've come to you sooner, but I'm a selfish man and can't help to try and save my family in my way."

"Jodie, from tonight you will be mine. Your mother and sister await at my home." The man pauses before continuing to talk to Dad. "Hart, one of my men will take you in his car, he'll take you you join your family." The man snicker and dismiss him while he easily rests his hand on my shoulder. He is touching me without my consent and I can only shake my head. I can't fucking move my limbs.

*Oh God...*

Dad heads out the door with one of his men, while the man wraps his arm around my waist and makes me get up. I shake my head, telling him a weak no when I feel him kiss the side of my neck and his hands groping my ass.

"Ah, Jodie, you will beg for me in no time. Come on. I need to get us to my place."

He holds my body. I force my legs to move, but I still feel that he is holding me up though I look like I am walking next to him. My hands limp to my side and the old man holds me by my waist, his body pressed against mine.

My eyes dart around but I see nothing that can save me, hell, I can't even move my limbs. My vision is getting blurry and I can feel my tears falling down my cheeks. I can't even wipe them away. I am scared, frustrated, and feeling desperate when I see the light is still dark outside.

I hope that Doug noticed that I was missing from his bed. It must've only been a couple of hours though it feels like days already. When I heard his dad's voice breaking my thoughts, it felt like a dream. Maybe they drugged me again, maybe I am dreaming again.

"Stop, Maverick, hand me Jodie. Hart is detained in another room. You're done, Ian. The Boss will not take it likely that you're helping Hart and his family. You and Colbert are done."

"Fuck." I hear him curse and let me go seconds before Lester grabs him. Doug's dad was at my side the moment my legs gave up again.

"Come on, Jodie, Doug is waiting outside for you."