Page 57 of Oh No, My Kidnapper Is Hot!

“I don’t remember it taking that long last time,” I comment, slightly out of breath. Archie grunts in response, a mix of amusement and annoyance.

“That’s because Stryker has no sense of fun. No appreciation for the elaborate or the merrymaking. He is a party pooper of the highest order. A real dud.”

I point at him.

“I was just thinking that this morning!”

He nods sagely, a man of great wisdom. I nod back.

After a brief detour through the room to get me a seat, we end up at his desk in two fancy office chairs. We spend some time rolling around, laughing, before settling in.

“Do you mind if I stream this?” he asks. I gasp.

“I would love that!” I start to scooch away, but he grabs my armrest, stopping me.

“No, no, no. You’ll be in it!” He slides my chair back to his, gently knocking them together.

I smooth my hair while he does some clacky stuff on his keyboard, pulling things up on his screens. One is a video feed of us, and I squeak.

“Oh no, I look terrible!” I wail. My hair is a mess, and my face is covered in splotches of pink. Archie grins beside me on the feed.

“Yeah, but I look great! What a handsome fella.” He blows himself a kiss, then goes back to his keyboard clicking. I rush to make myself look somewhat presentable. My hair is easy enough, behaving after a bit of finger combing, but my skin is being stubborn. It’ll settle, I hope, the longer it’s away from Stryker.

“You ready, Mills?” Archie asks.

“Not really,” I answer, fanning my face.

“Great!” His enthusiasm is palpable as he starts the stream. I slap my hands down on my lap and watch in horror as my face goes from pink to red on the screen.

Archie starts talking, welcoming viewers and introducing me. My face gets hotter and hotter as the viewer count rises. I didn’t realize he had this many fans. I probably should have checked before agreeing to this. In my defense though, why would a man who lives in a compound for assassins have a large online presence?Seems like a risky move to me.

I glance at Archie.

Okay, so he’s not exactly the risk averse type. I knew that. It’s why I chose him for today. I shouldn’t be surprised that the risk-taker is taking risks.

After a while, I stop thinking about the camera. I start just enjoying the builds Archie is creating. He’s a master at his craft, finding the perfect blocks and shapes to replicate my baby. I nearly cry when he’s done with her.

“Oh, Archie. She’s perfect.” Okay, maybe I do cry a little. I really,reallylove that car.

After he puts the final touches on her and takes about a hundred screenshots for me, he does a couple of fan-requested builds. It’s fun to watch him work and interact with the viewers. He’s mischievous and kind. It’s hard to believe that this guy kills people for a living.

I ask him about it after the stream over tea and cookies in his kitchen – which took five minutes to find, even though I’m pretty sure it’s just off the main hall.

“I don’t kill people,” he tells me, aghast. “I torture people.”

He what now?

“You… torture people?”

“Of course, and I don’t do it for the money,” he adds, a hint of mania in his voice. “I do it forfun.”

I blink. Oh… kay. Best not get on this gamer’s bad side.

We finish our cookies and tea slowly, me trying not to make any wrong moves and Archie cheerfully humming what I believe is a song from a cartoon princess movie. When he’s finished, he folds his hands on the table and addresses me with a serious look.

“Okay, Millie. I think it’s time you tell me why you’re really here.”

I choke on my final sip of tea, coughing and hacking until I can breathe again.

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