Page 142 of Hot for Hostage

“It’s funny you’re so quick to judge Davian when he’s been loads more helpful than the police,” I said. “When all you did was come up with excuses and waste time flirting with me, Dav actually helped me get Bear back. And he did it for nothing in return.”

Jake’s gaze slid down my body in an obvious leer. “I wouldn’t say he did it for nothing.”

I gaped at him, struck speechless for a good few seconds before I found my voice.

“Seriously? You say stuff like that, but all Davian’s ever done is be on my side.” Even when I’d been too scared to face my feelings for him and run away, he’d still come for me. I was just wasting time now when I’d much rather be spending it with him.“We’re clearly getting nowhere, and I need to get back to Bear. Have a nice day, Officer.”

“Wait, Sadie.” Jake grabbed my arm when I turned away, and I stilled. He blew out a breath. “I’m sorry, okay? But the boss will have my head if I don’t question you. I just want to make sure you’re answering me honestly and not being swayed by Reed.”

“I would neverlieto law enforcement. Nobody is swaying me.”

Jake’s lips twitched, and he dropped his hand. “Of course. But humor me for a minute, okay? Then you can get back to your dog.”

I swallowed another retort. “If you can keep things professional, then I’ll answer your questions. But no more bad-mouthing Davian.”

“Deal,” he agreed easily enough, making my eyes narrow. He backed up a few steps and opened the passenger door to one of the squad cars, gesturing for me to get in. “Now, have a seat. Please.”

My brows went up, and I shifted my feet on the pavement. There was no reason to get into a car with this man. “I’d rather stand, thanks.”

Jake glanced at the two other officers across the tent from us, then the others milling around us. He lowered his voice. “It’s for privacy, Sadie. I have some sensitive questions, and the chief doesn’t want the wrong ears overhearing us.”

I bristled. It was obvious the “wrong ears” were Davian’s men, and I was offended for them.

Across the cul-de-sac, Davian and Bear stood further down the sidewalk. To my disgust, Davian’sfatherwas with them now, and it looked like a heated discussion. I found myself taking a step in their direction before snapping out of it.

Bear was focused on Sebastian Reed, too. He leaned forward as much as the leash would allow, sniffing his legs and shoes.

I almost hoped he developed the same obsession with that man’s footwear as he had with Davian’s. The jerk deserved to have a few loafers stolen.

But Davian seemed busy, so I turned back to the car.

“Fine.” I huffed and ducked into the passenger seat. The sooner this was over, the sooner I could get back to Davian and Bear—hopefully after they were finished talking to Sebastian.

Jake swung the door shut and jogged around the front of the car. When he slid into the driver’s seat, I placed my water into the cupholder and flattened my hands over my skirt. “Okay. What would you like to know?”

Instead of asking me anything, Jake put his key in the ignition and started it up.

“Um, what are you doing?” I asked, growing more baffled when he put the car into gear.

He didn’t answer until he was driving forward. “We’re going somewhere safe to talk. You’re obviously not comfortable speaking freely with Reed nearby.”

My heart dropped into my stomach.

“Are you joking?” I shifted to look out the window, but Davian wasn’t in sight anymore as Jake expertly wove through the maze of parked cars. I scowled at him. “At least let me tell everyone where I’m going first, so they don’t worry.”

His grip flexed on the wheel. “By ‘everyone,’ you mean Reed?”

“Gladys and Ryan, too. They’ll be concerned if I disappear.” I pressed the button to lower my window so I could call to Davian, but the window didn’t budge. “…Why isn’t my window opening?”

“It’s better if your friends don’t know. We can’t risk Reed not letting you go.”

“What I do isn’t up to him,” I said through gritted teeth, pushing the window button again. Nothing. I stabbed it with my finger three more times. “Is this window broken?”

The car picked up speed once we cleared the parked vehicles, my heartbeat speeding up with it.

Screw it. Jumping out of a moving vehicle had to be better than whatever he had planned. But when I yanked on the handle, my door didn’t open. I jiggled the handle again—but it did nothing.

Dread filled my stomach. “Why is this locked?”

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