Page 107 of Hot for Hostage

“Listen, we don’t want any trouble,” Ryan said slowly. He placed a calming hand on my shoulder, but I did not feel calmed. “Why doesn’t everyone just take a moment to breathe, then we can talk this out?”

A smirk curled Zain’s lips, and my stomach twisted. I’d mistaken his look for leering earlier, but it was something more covetous than that. Which somehow was even creepier to be on the receiving end of.

He cocked a brow at Ryan. “If your friend didn’t want trouble, then she shouldn’t have messed with my brother.”

… Brother?

“Wait. You two are related?” I asked, looking back and forth between them. They both had the same thick brows and dark hair. But where Fessy was a gangly teenager, Zain had filled out into a man. He had scruff on his jaw and wore a dark suit, while Fessy was still sporting a baggy basketball jersey three sizes too big.

But they’d teamed up, chased down the Dog-Mobile to find me, and brought a group of scary men with guns along for the ride.

This was not good.

“Blood was spilled, and I won’t let an attack on my family go unanswered,” Zain continued, ignoring my question. “Reed’s gotta pay for what he did.”

Okay, this wasn’t just not good. It was bad.Verybad. And I needed to salvage it before things got even worse.

“All we wanted was to get Bear back and to stop the Skulls from messing with Happy Tails Haven,” I explained, trying to keep my voice calm and reasonable. But I was really starting to freak out a bit. “I didn’t want anyone to get hurt, and I’m sure Davian is sorry?—”

A sharp laugh from Zain made me snap my lips shut. His lackeys snickered, and a sour taste filled my mouth.

“Reed has never been sorry in his life, but that’s about to change,” Zain drawled. His eyes flicked to me again and went cold. “Grab her.”

“Whoa!” I gasped, scooting back on my butt and knocking into the center console. “Wait a second now?—”

Bear’s growl reverberated through the van.

Alothappened at once, and my brain struggled to keep up in all the chaos. Two of the scary men jumped into the back of the van just as Ryan grabbed my arms, pulling me back. But more men opened the front doors and swiftly overtook Gladys and Ryan.

Then Bear lunged at our attackers.

“Bear, no!” I scrambled after him, worried he’d get hurt. “Don’t do that, boy. Come here!”

But the joke was on me, because from his victim’s pained yelp, Bear was winning.

I was torn between scolding him and cheering him on.

The other henchman grabbed my ankle, and I desperately kicked to shake him off—earning a grunt when my foot connected with his shoulder.

Once again, I really wished I’d remembered to put on a fresh pair of underwear as my skirt flew up with the kick.

“Stupid dog,” Fessy yelled, and I looked up just as he lifted a crutch and swung at Bear.

“Don’t hurt him,” I cried, using one hand to hold down my skirt as I kicked again—aiming for my attacker’s face.

My heel connected with a satisfyingcrunch, and he jerked back with a howl.

Only for two other scowling goons to take his place.

I huffed. This was not how I’d imagined things going when I left Davian’s place.

“Hang in there, Sadie!” Gladys yelled just as the men grabbed my ankles and dragged me out of the van.

“Gladys! Ryan!” I yelled. Giving up on maintaining any modesty, I flailed with everything I had against their steel grips. It did nothing. But while it might be too late for me, my friends still had a chance. “Run for it!”

“Like hell we’ll leave you,” Gladys called back, followed by a loudthump. “Get your grubby little paws off me, you ruffian!”

In the midst of the mayhem, I looked toward the road for help as the goons pulled me to my feet—but the SUVs blocked any passing cars from sight.

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