Mina Talbot stretched out as she got ready for her run on the treadmill in the gym of her condo building. It had been a long week in the lab, with many late nights and early mornings. She had been looking forward to a run outside but had woken up to a world covered in ice, which, while pretty, did not make for a good running surface. Putting her earbuds in, she cranked her music and began to run. Unfortunately, she wasn't paying attention to anything except the music when there was a sharp pain in her neck, and her world went dark.
"Wakey, wakey Princess." A soft, husky voice said in her ear. With a groan, Mina opened her eyes and tried to focus. "That's a good girl." Mina felt someone move away from her and tried to lift her head, but it felt like it weighed a thousand pounds. She gave it a slight shake, and her world stabilized.
"Where am I?" She rasped as she began to take stock of her situation. Her throat was parched; she was sitting upright on a wooden chair. She tried to move, but her legs and arms were restrained. She looked down in surprise. She was zip tied to the chair. "What the hell?" She muttered.
"Here. You must be thirsty." A glass of water with a straw appeared before her, and she stared at it, afraid that it was poisoned or had another drug in it. She looked up and met cold blue eyes in a handsome, expressionless face. Long, dark blonde hair was combed back from his forehead, and a thin scar ran diagonally across his cheek, from just below the outer corner of his left eye to the corner of his mouth. "Don't worry, Princess; I need you alive, awake, and aware for this next part. It's just water."
Mina leaned forward and took the straw, sucking the water back. The man's face relaxed into a smile. "Would you like some more?" He asked when she was finished. Mina shook her head.
"No, thank you." She watched as he took the glass away, straightened up, and put it on the table beside her. A table, she realized, that was covered with various cutting tools. She let out a low whimper and looked around frantically. They were in a small windowless room lit by a single light overhead and one door leading out.
"Now, now." The man crouched in front of her. "As long as you continue to be a good girl, there won't be a need for those." His voice was still soft and soothing.
"What do you want?" Mina tried to push down her panic at being restrained and to relax, needing to keep her head in the game. She watched as he stood up and smiled coldly at her. He was tall with broad shoulders and narrow hips encased in jeans and a black t-shirt. She shivered as she realized he was letting her see his face, which meant she probably wasn't getting out of there alive. Her mind raced as she tried to figure out a way to save herself.
She could be a good girl. Under the right circumstances, she could be a very good girl. She licked her lips nervously and met his gaze. She could do this; hopefully, he would take the bait.
"I want information, Mrs. Talbot." She blinked as he gave her that cold smile again.
"Information?" She furrowed her brow. She was a biochemist for a pharmaceutical company, currently working on a medication for herpes. She didn't know what he could possibly want with that.
"Yes, Mrs. Talbot, information." He grabbed another chair and sat in front of her. "Your husband -"
"Ex-husband." Rage rose in Mina as she realized she was here because of Derrick. The man gripped her chin tightly, anger flashing in his eyes.
"Don't interrupt; it's rude." He snapped.
"Sorry." She whispered. Fear and, to her surprise, desire swept through her. She met his gaze again, realizing with a jolt that she was seriously attracted to her kidnapper. What the hell was wrong with her?
His grip loosened, his thumb swept across her cheek, and she had to consciously keep herself from leaning into his touch. "Apology accepted." He smiled again. "Your ex-husband." He corrected calmly. "Has pissed off some rather hazardous people. He owes them a lot of money, and now he's disappeared. I've been tasked with finding him. Do you know where he might be?"
Mina chewed her lip. She knew where he might be and was willing to tell him. Derrick had emptied her bank accounts two weeks ago, accessing her checking and savings accounts online and e-transferring the money to himself, then went to the bank and withdrew the money, closing his account.
"What happens after I tell you?" She asked. He raised his eyebrow at her. "You let me see your face, so if you let me go, I can identify you."
"Ms. Talbot, you and I are staying together until I find your ex-husband. I want to know every place this man might go. Now you can tell me nicely, and your stay with me will be comfortable. If you make things difficult, your stay will be very, very uncomfortable. Take your pick."
"But what happens to me when you find him and I'm no longer useful to you?"
"That is up to my employer. Your husband has told them to take you as payment for his debts. Unfortunately for him, you are not enough."
Anger washed over her again. "That fucking prick!" Mina hissed. The man merely looked amused.
"Yes." He said simply. "So what's it going to be?"
Mina took several deep breaths. "Oh, it's going to be very comfortable." She leaned back in her chair and smiled up at him. "Please, call me Mina, new best friend."
"Asher." He reached over and picked up a knife off the table. She tensed up, but he just cut the zip ties. He helped her to her feet, led her from the room, and up some stairs. He opened a door at the top, and she blinked as she was hit with bright sunlight streaming in through large windows. Asher brought her down a hallway to a room and let her go.
"These are your new accommodations." Mina looked around. Large bed, sitting area with a TV. It was bright and comfortable with understated elegance. "Bathroom is through there." He pointed at a door. "Get yourself cleaned up and we'll talk." He left the room, and Mina heard a lock click.
As prisons go, this wasn't too bad. Mina went to the bathroom and began to look through the cupboards. It was fully stocked with everything she could possibly need. Smiling, she got to work.