Hot for Hostage

by Maggie Evans

Either I was having one hell of a hangover, or Strawberry Shortcake herself was standing in front of me and pointing a gun at my chest.

“I’m really sorry I took your gun. I promise I’ll return it when this is all over.” He made a sound that confirmed he thought this woman was certifiable.

“You told me Bear was a dog,” Davian muttered, eyes narrowing into slits as he got to his feet. “Not a hellhound.” “He’s just a big sweet puppy,” I cooed to the cuddly beast.

Another pothole had me almost airborne, but Davian’s grip tightened, and I only rose an inch before slamming back down against his hardness. But no amount of whacking could put that mole back in his hole.

I’ve never been great with plants, but the guy at the garden shop said it was impossible to kill this one.” I eyed the wilted leaves dubiously. It was definitely possible.

There was a loaded pause before he answered. “You’re talking about the deranged woman who held you up earlier today and ran from me, right?”

“What the hell, Vince?” “Seriously?” His jaw dropped, and he jabbed a finger at us. “You’re yelling at me when you’re the ones screwing in broad daylight? This place has a hundred bloody rooms. Find one with a lock.”

“You do remember this is the chick who held you at gunpoint yesterday, right?” “Hey, those were extenuating circumstances!”

I tried my best not to jump to conclusions or freak out. I failed miserably.

“Sure. What’s your poison?” I sniffled. Bubblegum was for when I was already happy. I needed a comfort flavor for wallowing. “Mint chocolate chip, please.” “Mint chocolate… Hold on. You aren’t talking about liquor?”

“Again?” I asked evenly, slowly rounding on Vince. “You lost her again?” He’d been off fetching ice cream for Sadie instead of watching her. Vince stared at the note like he couldn’t believe it was real before answering through a clenched jaw. “That girl is surprisingly duplicitous.”

“It might be hard to believe, but there are men on this planet who find me attractive⁠—”

“Yeah, whisked. Like… Like we’re a bowl of egg whites trying to be meringue, you know?” No, apparently, I didn’t know. Sadie sighed quietly. “It’s a lovely thought, but we’re not egg whites, Dav. And we’ll never be meringue.” I pulled the phone away from my ear and stared at it—wondering if I’d had a stroke—before putting it back. “Say that again in English.”

“You cut her shirt?” I asked evenly, but my voice no longer sounded like it belonged to me. “I’ll do a lot more than that,” he threatened, raising his voice and grabbing her again. “You don’t have any leverage here, Reed. Either agree to our terms, or—or I’ll cut her nipples off!” Sadie sucked in a breath and stared up at him in betrayal. “Seriously, Zain? That’s the one thing you promised not to do!”

“Davian,” Sadie whispered behind me. “Maybe we should draw a line at playing with knives. Want to go get ice cream or something? My treat.”