A Price Too Great? (Closed for Britwich and myself)

[DoubleL9781]

Bounty hunters...Yeah, they exist in the official world of law enforcement. You skip bail in the USA, and chances are you'll have one of these guys chasing you down. They're good at what they do, sure, but...They're not the only type out there.

The other types you'll have seen in movies like Domino, or a slightly geekier example, Boba Fett from Star Wars. The type who hunt people for money, some not caring whether they're criminals or not...

...I'm one of the latter.

My name's Dante Valentine. Not my real name, of course, but I've got to protect my family. Can't exactly have disgruntled co-workers going after Ma and Pa, can I?

Anyway, that's enough biological details for now...Let's get into the nitty-gritty...My newest assignment...

***

Looking up, Robert Dupree found himself gazing at the young man in front of him - he wasn't the only one. When you enter a 4-star Italian restaurant dressed in faded blue jeans, a black shirt, large black trench-coat and boots, you're going to draw some disgruntled looks. Dupree knew the trenchcoat was mostly to hide two holsters that contained Mark XIX Desert Eagle handguns.

"Ah, mister Valentine," Dupree said, smiling slightly as he indicated the young man should sit down. "So good to see you again."

Nodding, Dante sat down, dark blue eyes peering out from under a messy dark brown fringe at the older man. When the waiter asked him for anything to drink, he replied in slightly accented English that he'd like a Coke.

"Okay, Bob..." Dante finally said after his drink came, not really caring at the flash of distaste on the other man's face at the shortened version of his name - he knew only his wife called him that, and it must be even worse taking it from a 23-year-old punk like himself. He allowed himself a small grin. "I know you only bring me to this place when you have a job. I'd like the details before I eat this time, if you may."

Deciding to put aside the South African's arrogance, he slid a folder across the table. When Dante opened it and began paging through, Dupree spoke.

"I realise that this is short notice, but I need this person within two days. I am prepared to double your regular fee, as well as repay you for any expenses you may incur.

Dante raised an eyebrow as he looked at Dupree - not that the man couldn't afford it, but why that much for this? The photo in the folder was of a girl even younger than he and identified as a congressman's daughter.

"Why this girl?"

"Let's just say her father is...Getting in my way on a certain business transaction. I think the temporary loss of his only and beloved daughter may be of great benefit to me."

Making a mental note to see exactly what this congressman was stopping Dupree from doing (he was no stranger to Dupree's less-kosher side of doing business, and his line of work, knowing more than the competition was always a good thing) Dante gave a curt nod. The fact that he was kidnapping a young girl didn't bother him too much - from what he heard, she'd be backw ith ehr father soon and besides, he hated politics so there was no moral implication as to what he was allowing Dupree to go ahead with.

"I'll need a million dollars in my account by tomorrow morning," Dante finally said, pocketing the file and taking the menu. "What shape do you need her in?"

"Breathing," Dupree replied, picking up his menu to do the same. "That is all I require. I leave it at your discretion..."

"Don't you always?"

 

[Britwitch]

Kaitlyn sighed with sheer boredom. She felt as though the will to live was slowly but surely being sapped from within her. Yet she kept a bright smile plastered across her face.

Being the daughter of a congressman had it's perks, she knew she lived a priviledged life compared to many, but it also had it's downsides. Like her present obligation. Her father was a sponsor of a local dance studio and she was representing him at a recital. The show was fine and some of the girls prancing around the stage showed definite potential, but it wasn't what Kaitlyn wanted to be doing.

At 19 there were a great many things she'd rather be doing but because of who her father was, she had practically no chance of doing any of them. It had taken a three hour long 'debate' with her parents to get them to allow her to go to college without a bodyguard hovering around her. Although her attendance had come at a price, she was driven to and from campus everyday and joining clubs or groups that met outside normal study hours was all but forbidden.

She flicked some of her long dark hair back over her shoulder as she applauded the end of the recital, her green eyes sparkling as she smiled at those sat around her and made appropriate comments on the show. Kaitlyn stayed as long as curtesy demanded before saying her goodbyes and heading out to the limo waiting outside.

"Home, Miss Spring?" The chauffeur asked once she had closed the door behind her and let out a long sigh.
"No, the library, I have a paper due in after the weekend and some books I ordered should be ready to be picked up..."
"Very good, Miss..." Came the response from the front seat, along with a slightly concerned expression looking back at her in the rear view mirror. The trip was unplanned, her parents would have a fit when they found out.
"Don't worry, Max...I'll take the blame...you just drive the car, let me worry about my folks..." She grinned as they pulled away, relaxing back into the soft leather seat. Soon enough they were at the campus and Kaitlyn felt a surge of release as she left the limo and wandered along the pathway towards the library, waving and smiling at friends passing by. Her delicate features were beaming at being out of sight of her parents, or those who worked for them.

 

[DoubleL9781]

Well, let's get this clam bake started...

Dante watched her walking down the pathway as he sat on a grassy hill above it, checking her photo a last time as he made sure it was the right mark. Pretty girl...He was hoping she wouldn't put up too big a fight.

Strolling down the hill, he stepped up his pace quickly until was was just a few feet behind her, the umbrella in his hands swaying a bit then he quickly depressed a button on the handle, a sharp point emerging from the tip. It was coated in a mild tranquiliser that would put a person out for at least an hour - that would be all he needed.

Whistling, he strolled past Kaitlyn and swung the umbrella past her leg, as if by accident. When he felt it gently scrape her skin, he carried on walking past, ready to double back the moment the tranquiliser took effect.

 

[Britwitch]

Kaitlyn lifted her chin a little, allowing the sun to bathe her face with it's warmth. It was a gorgeous day and that only made her more irritated that she'd had to waste so much of it at the recital. She knew she was slightly over dressed for the campus but she wasn't going to be there for long, just to pick up her books and then head home.

She was wearing a fitted dress, knee length and almost 1950's in style. Pale pink with a flared skirt, spaghetti straps and a matching pullover finished with demure heels. She'd always been more of a tomboy when out of her parent's over protective gaze but for events like the recital, to be girly was a necessity.

"Hey...!" She heard herself gasp as something scratched at her bare leg. Her green eyes narrowed as some idiot with an umbrella sauntered along the pathway ahead of her. What kind of nutcase carried an umbrella on a day like this? She bent over slightly, examining the small scratch to the skin. "Idiot!" She muttered to herself as she straightened and made to continue when her head felt a little odd. Light and almost dizzy. Perhaps she had stood up too quickly. She paused, the click-clack of her heels on the stones faltering as her head began to swim.
"I...I feel..." She murmured to no one in particular as she felt herself losing her balance and beginning to fall.

 

[DoubleL9781]

"Bingo..." Dante mumbled to himself, immediately dropping the unbrella and quickly turning 180, managing to snag her around the arm and drape it around his neck before she fell completely. Luckily the place was fairly deserted on a Saturday and no-one else was on the path as he began carrying her towards his car.

"You feeling okay?" He asked, wanting to make sure there weren't any unexpected side-effects, and knowing she was about to pass out any second.

 

[Britwitch]

Kaitlyn felt someone grab her before her legs gave out beneath her, lifting her off of her feet in the process.
"You feeling okay?"
"I...I don't know...I...I feel..." She murmured, her eyes fluttering and her head feeling lighter and lighter. She struggled to focus on the stranger who appeared to be carrying her but her eyes refused to co-operate, images growing blurrier as the seconds passed. "...My head..." She whispered before sinking into the blackness that was sweeping her mind. Her body grew limp as she passed out.

 

[DoubleL9781]

Poor girl...She's going to have a hell of a headache when she wakes up.

Dante made his way through the less-populated areas of the college, taking a little longer but making sure that no-one spotted him. When he reached his car, he put her into the passenger seat and fastened the seatbelt.

"Sorry about that, babe, but I had to make this as clean as possible...You'll thank me later."

***

About 30 minutes later, Dante kicked the door of his apartment shut behind him as he had Kaitlyn in his arms, taking her into the guest bedroom and laying her down on the bed, making sure she was comfortable...Well, apart from the part where he handcuffed her to the bedpost, but until he straightened out the rules with her, he was taking no chances.

When he was sure she wasn't going anywhere, he went out into the kitchen and began fixing himself something to eat.

 

[Britwitch]

Vague images and sounds filtered into the hazy dreams running through Kaitlyn's head. A voice apologising, the quiet growling of an engine and the sensation of movement. Eventually, the tight grip unconsciousness had over her began to lessen and she felt herself waking up.

Her eyelids flickered, her brow furrowed as a strange room came into view. She stretched and then the crease between her eyebrows deepened when she couldn't move her arms as she wanted. Tilting her head upwards she saw the smooth, shining metal connecting her wrists and holding them to the bedpost.

"W-What...?" She asked, her voice still thick and husky as she came to. "What's going on...?" She pulled uselessly at the cuffs, twisting her arms in an attempt to free them.

 

[DoubleL9781]

"I wouldn't recommend that," A voice spoke from the doorway. "Believe me, I've seen some really screwed-up things happen to people's arms because of them trying to get out of it too enthusiastically."

Dante walked in, shirtless and with his hair damp, as he had just gotten out the shower when he had heard he wake up. He was a well-built young man, but nothing that you'd be seeing in Muscle and Fitness any time soon.

"Now then, Kaitlyn, right? You've probably got a lot of questions to ask, and I'll answer the most important ones. You're in my apartment, where you're going to be staying for a while...A couple of days, a week at most. As to why, well, let's just say someone paid me a nice bit of money to make your dad sweat a bit."

"I'm not going to hurt you, or molest you or anything. In fact, I'll be letting you out of that handcuff soon. But..." His face turned serious for a second. "...You'll have to promise me you'll co-operate. Help me, and I'll make sure you get treated well and get back to your dad in one piece."

 

[Britwitch]

"I wouldn't recommend that...Believe me, I've seen some really screwed-up things happen to people's arms because of them trying to get out of it too enthusiastically."
Kaitlyn froze as a voice cut through her thoughts, her eyes flashing to the door and widening slightly as the stranger walked into the room, taking in the broadness of his bared shoulders and his face appearing vaguely familiar. She felt a very small amount of relief that he didn't appear to have any kind of weapon with him.

"Now then, Kaitlyn, right? You've probably got a lot of questions to ask, and I'll answer the most important ones. You're in my apartment, where you're going to be staying for a while...A couple of days, a week at most. As to why, well, let's just say someone paid me a nice bit of money to make your dad sweat a bit."
"B-but...but" She stammered, her brain struggling to make sense of everything he was telling her along with still trying to free her wrists.

"I'm not going to hurt you, or molest you or anything. In fact, I'll be letting you out of that handcuff soon. But...You'll have to promise me you'll co-operate. Help me, and I'll make sure you get treated well and get back to your dad in one piece."
"Who...who are you...?" She asked tentatively, the only question that remained unanswered in her mind. She asked even though she was already certain she would not get a response. "I...I promise I'll co-operate but give me your name at least, after all, you appear to know mine...only fair I know what to call you..." She finished dryly, ceasing her pulling and lying still.

 

[DoubleL9781]

He held out his hand, his blue eyes examining her as he smiled a bit. "Yeah, that is fair. My name's Dante Valentine, and the pleasure is all mine."

 

[Britwitch]

"Yeah, that is fair. My name's Dante Valentine, and the pleasure is all mine."
Kaitlyn glanced pointedly from his eyes to his outstretched hand and then up to her cuffed wrists.
"I would shake your hand Mr Valentine," She began smoothly, "But I am a little tied up at the moment..." A delicately shaped eyebrow quirked on her brow as her gaze returned to his face. "If you would be so kind as to release me, then I will happy to do so..." Her tone was light but her expression was serious.

 

[DoubleL9781]

"Heh, sorry," He replied, smiling a little sheepishly as he stepped closer. "I haven't been getting as much sleep as I should lately, so my head's not what it's supposed to be. Now, where did I put that key?"

Dante slid his hand around to the back of his jeans and grasped his Desert Eagle (he always kept one on him in the apartment, just in case) which he placed on the bedside table right next to Kaitlyn. Finally, he managed to find the key in his back pocket and unlocked her cuffs.

"C'mon, I'll get you something to eat..." Dante said amicably as he turned and started leaving the room, the gun still lying right next to the young girl.

 

[Britwitch]

"Heh, sorry...I haven't been getting as much sleep as I should lately, so my head's not what it's supposed to be. Now, where did I put that key?"
Kaitlyn's gaze followed the gun and remained upon it as he unlocked the cuffs. The snapping of the metal releasing causing her gaze to shift back to his face.
"C'mon, I'll get you something to eat..."
"...Ok..." She said quietly as she sat up, rubbing her wrists slightly.

Her mind debating whether or not to pick up the gun and try to argue her way out of...wherever it was that she was. While brandishing his gun and demanding to be freed did have a vague chance of succes, to have it backfire on her would result in worse treatment than he perhaps already had in mind for her. No, she had a better idea.

She'd grown up around enough bodyguards and police escorts to know how guns worked and so, once he had left the room, working quickly and quietly, she removed the clip and threw it beneath the bed. An unloaded gun was no threat to her and made her feel slightly easier as she rose and followed him out of the bedroom, swaying slightly on her heels and with her arms folded protectively across her chest.

 

[DoubleL9781]

"That was a new one..." Dante's comment made her froze as he turned around, facing her with an admiring smile. He had of course seen what she'd did from the corner of his eye, having left the gun there as a test. And he had to admit, she passed in the most creative way possible. "Fetch me the clip and the gun, if you don't mind."

When she quietly handed it over, he showed her the clip - it was empty, not a single round in there. After that, he cocked back the gun, showing her the empty breech. All-in-all, the gun's use as a weapon had been reduced to a metal club.

"Most people are either too scared to take it, or they immediately grab it and threaten me. You, on the other hand...Damn, I'm impressed, Kaitlyn."

 

[Britwitch]

"That was a new one...Fetch me the clip and the gun, if you don't mind."
Kaitlyn froze as he spoke, wincing slightly at the realisation she had been caught. Fighting against the fear that rose up sharply inside her, she headed back into the room, reaching under the bed and retrieving the clip.

As he showed her the inside and the empty chamber in the gun she cursed herself for not having checked that too. Well, she took some comfort from the fact that if that gun was unloaded perhaps his words about not wanting to hurt her were at least partly true.

"Most people are either too scared to take it, or they immediately grab it and threaten me. You, on the other hand...Damn, I'm impressed, Kaitlyn."
"I'm not entirely sure whether I should feel flattered...or grateful...or concerned by that..." She mused, her arms once again folded over her chest as she stood before him. A slight smile playing at the corner of her mouth. "So I think we should change the subject. Perhaps I could have a drink, if you don't mind?"

 

[DoubleL9781]

"Sure thing," Dante led her into the well-equipped kitchen and opened the fridge, looking inside. As he bent down, the butt of a second handgun, this one fairly well hidden away, came into view. "Not a huge selection, I'm afraid. I've got Coke, water and beer...And unfortunately, the last one's out of the question for an unerage lady such as yourself."

 

[Britwitch]

"Sure thing...Not a huge selection, I'm afraid. I've got Coke, water and beer...And unfortunately, the last one's out of the question for an underage lady such as yourself."
Kaitlyn rolled her eyes slightly at his last words. Unlike many of her college friends, she didn't drink, even though she had a couple of years to wait to do it legally. Like most teenagers she'd tried beer and a few stronger beverages at parties and had yet to find one that didn't make her feel sick after a few mouthfuls.

"A coke will be fine, thank you..." She replied, taking the offered can and moving to lean against the wall as she took a sip. "So, Mr Valentine...I expect that asking you to tell me exactly why I am being held here by you will result in you not telling me anything...but I have to ask anyway, why am I here, what has my father done that warrants this kind of thing and how long am I to be your...'guest'?"

 

[DoubleL9781]

Dante chuckled as he took a can for himself, sitting on one of the stools in the kitchen. "Ordinarily I'd answer your question with no problem, but to be honest, I don't know. I don't pry in my clients' business - it tends to extend my lifespan, you know?"

His eyes held the shrug he felt too lazy to do. "And as for how long, I also don't know. Now, as for the rules. You're free to go anywhere in the apartment, get yourself food and drink whenever you want, watch TV and anything else. Obviously, I can't let you outside, and I'm going to ask you nicely to stay away from the phone. I'm trusting you, Kaitlyn, and every time you break that trust, I'll restrict you a bit more. Are we agreed?"

 

[Britwitch]

"Ordinarily I'd answer your question with no problem, but to be honest, I don't know. I don't pry in my clients' business - it tends to extend my lifespan, you know?"
Kaitlyn sipped a little more of the chilled drink, her mind constantly trying to think of something, anything that might have happened at home to give her an idea of what might be going on. Any overheard discussions between her parents, the tail end of arguments she might have walked in upon. But nothing leapt out as a possible explanation. She found it hard to believe that her father could be mixed up in anything underhand or illegal, but her current situation was making that belief hard to maintain.

"And as for how long, I also don't know. Now, as for the rules. You're free to go anywhere in the apartment, get yourself food and drink whenever you want, watch TV and anything else. Obviously, I can't let you outside, and I'm going to ask you nicely to stay away from the phone. I'm trusting you, Kaitlyn, and every time you break that trust, I'll restrict you a bit more. Are we agreed?"
"If you don't give me a reason to break your trust, then I won't break it...we're agreed...." Kaitlyn nodded her agreement.

 

[DoubleL9781]

"Good. Then I'm sure we'll both get along fine," Dante shivered a bit, then realised he was still without his shirt. Laughing, he put down his Coke. "I'm just quickly going to get dressed. Feel free to look around, but I ask that you avoid my room..."

He gave her a crooked grin.

"...It's a little too messy."

With that, he left her on her own and headed to his room to grab a shirt.

 

[Britwitch]

"Good. Then I'm sure we'll both get along fine...I'm just quickly going to get dressed. Feel free to look around, but I ask that you avoid my room..."
"Of course..." Kaitlyn replied quickly.
"...It's a little too messy."
She couldn't help but quirk her eyebrow slightly at his grinned comment.

As soon as he was out of the room she headed to the window, glancing left and right trying to see something, anything, a landmark she might reocgnise but the scenery outside was alien to her. Tutting she turned back and wandered across the kitchen, stepping through the rest of the apartment making sure to avoid the doorway he had closed. It was all fairly neat and tidy for a guy who lived alone, Kaitlyn was almost pleasantly surprised. To be held hostage, as she assumed that was what she now was practically, was bad enough but at least she wasn't being held in some dingy dungeon type place like you always saw in the movies.

 

[DoubleL9781]

Dante glanced at himself in the mirror as he dug a t-shirt out of the cupboard, deciding he could put off a haircut a while longer...Even though his fringe was halfway down his eyes so he had to shake it out the way every now and then.

Well, she seems like a nice enough girl...Doesn't look like she'll give me any problems. Just hope she doesn't try the door.

Larry had held merchandise in his apartment before, and had learned the hard way that without any kind of modifications, it wasn't much good at keeping people in. As such, he had replaced the windows with Plexiglass, meaning by the time somoene actually broke it, he'd be hauling them back to get cuffed to the bed.

As for the door, well...Let's just say whoever touched it while the security system was activated was in for a bit of a "shock", if you catch my drift.

"Kaitlyn!" He called as he pulled his shirt over his head. "Would you like some dinner?"

 

[Britwitch]

"Kaitlyn!...Would you like some dinner?"
"Sure..." She called back, returning to the kitchen and leaning against the table, sipping her coke as she waited for him to return. Her eye moved down to the pink dress and heels she was wearing and a wry grin curved her lips.
"Although, I think I may be a little overdressed at the moment for dinner...I don't suppose there's any chance you have some clothes I could change into do you...? Only I don't fancy having to wear this dress for too much longer...not really my style you see..." She added, glancing at her reflection in one of the windows. It was a beautiful dress and showed off her curves perfectly but it was definitely a little too formal for everyday wear, especially for the attire of a hostage she thought to herself with another grin.

 

[DoubleL9781]

Larry glanced around his room, wondering where he was supposed to get clothes that fit a beautiful, slender woman instead of his bulky ass. Remembering something, he went over to the bottom of his wardrobe and dug in a box, smiling a bit.

He came into the kitchen and tossed Kaitlyn an old pair of jeans and a red shirt, followed by a boxer that looked like it had recently shrunk in the wash.

"The shirt and jeans belong to my sister, but she keeps forgetting to come get that last box of stuff, so I figure there's no harm in letting you wear them. The boxers are mine, though, but they're clean and I think they should fit you considering how badly I shrunk them in the wash. I'll go out and get you some new underwear tomorrow. Feel free to take a shower - dinner'll take me a while."

His eyes quickly traced Kaitlyn's dress, causing him to give her a small smile. "But if I can be honest, you look really beautiful in that dress."