Hot for Hostage

by Maggie Evans

“Davian Reed would sooner murder a litter of puppies than do a good deed. You’d have to hold a gun to his head just to make him hear you out.”

Mr. Reed. I’m the one with the gun, so if I say you’re my hostage, then you’re my hostage. Got it?” Oh, I got it. “Of course. My apologies. I’m your hostage,” I said, no longer hiding my grin. And to think I’d thought today would be boring.

Who knew Davian Reed would be attracted to short bakers in pink overalls, pointing a gun at him?

And hopefully she’d forgive me for this, because I wasn’t ready to let her go just yet.

“I’m not leaving here without my dog!” she yelled at Fessy and his crew, brandishing the broom. “Where is he?” A determined scowl pinched her face—more endearing than intimidating—and I swear my goddamn soul floated out of my body.

“You told me Bear was a dog,” Davian muttered, eyes narrowing into slits as he got to his feet. “Not a hellhound.”

The mutt guarded Sadie like he owned her, and it pissed me off. I couldn’t even hold her fucking hand without him getting in the way.

“I think I can pencil getting abducted for dinner into my schedule.”

“Wait!” I cried through my laughter, grabbing a cupcake off the counter we passed. “I need to finish icing these.” Davian stopped midstep, then dutifully turned and carried me back to my station. He set me back on solid ground but didn’t go far. Instead of stepping away, he pressed his front against my back, and both his palms flattened against the counter to cage me. I swallowed and placed the cupcake down. This felt nice. Once I could breathe normally again, I patted Davian’s forearm. “Good boy.”

“What are friends for if not to help each other break out of heavily guarded mafia fortresses?”