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.

My eyebrow rose. He cared enough about this girl that he worried I’d do something to her?

“Please don’t hurt her.” I had no intention of doing anything of the sort.

She waved the weapon again, and I hid a wince. She’s obviously never held one before, and the last thing I needed today was to get accidentally shot by a scared little bunny. My father would never let me live it down.

“This really isn’t the time for semantics, 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.

“You okay, bunny?” Davian’s eyes narrowed on my face, and a shiver rolled down my spine at his inspection. “You look a little pale. Maybe you should sit down.”

The answering tilt of his lips was far too handsome—which Gladys and Ryan conveniently hadn’t warned me about.

“I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should get into a stranger’s car. Can we take mine instead?”

My eyebrow rose. Had he expected me to shoot the poor girl in front of his store’s full wall of windows? … Eh, couldn’t really blame him. I’d done worse.

“You’re right. Maybe just one small sample of butterscotch wouldn’t hurt?” she asked with a sheepish smile. She was too damn cute for her own good.

How was I supposed to explain to him I was willingly being taken hostage? He’d probably call my old man and say I’d lost it.

She veered away from us and power-walked over to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked at the curb without seeming to care if I—her hostage—was following her or not. I shared a mystified look with Vince before jogging after her.

“Why don’t I drive?” I asked. In all honesty, I was ready to insist we take the bus if she was so against riding in my car. Anything but this trash can on wheels. “You have to hold the gun on me, and it isn’t safe to drive with one hand.”

“Why not? It’s a cute name for a cute car.” She patted the top of the car like an old friend. The metal groaned under her touch, and my eye twitched.

It was impressive, and I made a mental note to look up videos on how to handle a gun once I got home.

“Can you pretend I didn’t just say that, please?” I winced. “I don’t think it was smart to tell you.” But Davian’s gaze was dead serious when I looked at him. “You can tell me anything, Sadie.”

“There won’t be any throat-slitting,” Davian said, far too calmly, before adding with a small smirk, “It’s not really my style.” I gulped. Was it too messy? What was his style? Maybe it was best not to ask.

He looked even scarier when he wasn’t standing in a cheerful ice cream parlor.

“Do you know where we can find them?” Davian’s brow rose. “We won’t be finding anyone. I’ll take care of it.”

“I used your idea, and now Davian has to do what I say. He’ll fix this for us. Don’t worry.” “Lord above, Sadie Marie! Where in the world did you get a gun?”

Gladys made a quick sign of the cross and mumbled under her breath before fixing me with a hard look that would normally shake me to my core. “You’ve just signed all our death certificates, girl. You know that, right?”

“The… Dog-Mobile?” His face pinched, as if it pained him to even say the words.

It almost felt like Davian was taking me hostage now, but that was just silly. I was the one with the gun.

“You’re not driving to an abandoned riverbank to kill me and dispose of my body, are you?” My brows rose. What would she do if I said yes?

I’d also sent a quick text to Antonio, asking him to get a few food options ready. It was way past lunch, and Sadie must be hungry.

The cautious way she asked it made me pause. The last thing I wanted her thinking about was Gladys’s opinion of me.

My jaw dropped. Had a teenager just propositioned me?

“Can’t blame me for trying. A body like that? I’d smash⁠—” A loud bang filled the quiet garage like an explosion going off, making all of us jump. What the⁠—?

“Now, are you still mad at me, or are we good?” She tensed in my arms before pulling back, brow furrowed. “Why wouldn’t I be mad? You tricked me! And you left me behind.”

The things that came out of her mouth never ceased to amaze me. This girl thought of us as partners? Her self-preservation instincts really were broken. It made me want to take advantage.

Sadie’s Guide to Hostage-Taking Being Taken Hostage Forming a Partnership with Your Hostage,

“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,”

His lips twisted with a hint of a smile that turned my knees to jelly, and he checked his watch. “How does a trip to Bruno’s sound? We have time to celebrate Bear’s safe return before he closes.” “Really?” My lips parted. He wasn’t taking off running? “But you’re not my hostage anymore. You’re… You’re free.”

I nodded, and he reached for my hand like it was the most natural thing to do. When our palms touched, my heart tripped over itself. But Bear nudged between us—conveniently knocking Davian’s hand away before growling at it.

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.

Sadie had pulled a leash out of her overalls, which she hooked to his collar, and he stayed guard between us the whole walk to Bruno’s. I could swear he even sent me a smug look when she scratched between his ears.

“Here you go, Mr. Reed.” Bruno handed me my cup, and Sadie cleared her throat. “You can call him Davian if you want to.” Bruno’s eyes widened, and he shot me a nervous look. My lips twitched.

We were close enough she had to crane her neck to look up at me, which I took full advantage of by sliding my hand up to the back of her slim neck and leaning down to claim her lips like I’d been wanting to since she aimed that gun at me⁠— —only for a sharp tug on my heel to pull us apart before I’d even gotten a taste. “What the hell⁠—?”

One moment Davian’s lips were a breath from mine and I was frozen in place, and the next Bear yanked him away from me.

I couldn’t deny it anymore. I was hot for my hostage.

Sit on his lap? Was he crazy? “That can’t be crash-test approved,” I blurted.

“Ignore it.” A shrill laugh bubbled out of me at how unconcerned he sounded. “Ignore that? Not possible.”

Then he grunted. “Your furry bodyguard sure takes his job seriously.”

“That was very bad,” I said in a no-nonsense voice. He dropped his head onto his paws and whined softly, melting my heart.

“Yep, second door on the left. You really didn’t have to walk me up.” “Yes, I did.”

“I think so? 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.

She smothered the dog with pets and kisses, and I swear the furry bastard winked at me.

She’d probably gone back to the couch to cuddle with Bear, and a flash of envy gave me pause. … Since when was I jealous of a dog?

“You’re talking about the deranged woman who held you up earlier today and ran from me, right?”

“How do you get him off the bed?” Sadie shifted under the covers and frowned at Bear. “I don’t. He was sleeping with me tonight.” I stamped down the flash of envy, wanting to deck myself for it. I would not be jealous of a dog. Not again.