Page 143 of Hot for Hostage

Jake’s lips pressed together as the car picked up more speed. “I’m sorry, Sadie, but we’re doing this to protect you.”

“No, what you’re doing is being ridiculous,” I cried as my panic grew. “I don’t need protection. Can you just turn around, please? I don’t have my phone, and it’ll take one second for me to tell them we’re going somewhere.”

I wasn’t actually planning to tell anyone or ever get back into a car with Jake, but I’d say anything to get him to stop the car.

Instead, his foot grew heavier on the gas. “I can’t do that. This is the only way to trust you aren’t being coerced.”

Coerced?

I wanted to scream.

Squeezing my eyes shut, I fought to remain cordial. “I appreciate your concern, but it’s not needed. No one is coercing or brainwashing me. I’m acting of my own free will, just like I always have. That’s the truth. Now,pleasepull over.”

“It’s not up to me.” Jake shook his head. “My orders are from the top. Chief Peterson asked me to take you off site so you could feel comfortable talking to me without fear of retribution.”

“Retribution?” I echoed in disbelief. This was just ridiculous. “Davian won’t hurt me.”

“You don’t know the Reeds like we do. This is a necessary safety measure.”

…Son of a dog biscuit.

I rubbed at my temples, trying to stay calm and think rationally. But the panic was winning. I pulled on the handle again, desperately willing my heart rate to stop spiking. “Unlock the door, Jake.”

He didn’t seem fazed by my panic. “Calm down for a minute?—”

“You did not just tell me to calm down while you’re driving me away without my permission.” I laughed at how crazy this was before gritting my teeth. “If you don’t let me out right now, I’ll—I’ll report you for this. You’ll be in big trouble.”

He gave me a cool side-glance. “Threatening me now? Reed sure rubbed off on you fast.”

I scowled at him, but my mind was working a mile a minute, weighing what to do. I briefly considered attacking Jake, but there were tons of trees lining the street. Attacking him could lead to us crashing straight into one.

I needed to be smart about this.

I tried again, hoping manners would help him see reason. “Please let me out.”

“No.”

Well. Manners didn’t work, then.

At the end of the street, Jake took a sharp right turn, and I grabbed my seat as we zoomed down a side street—and straight toward the Dog-Mobile parked against a curb. Desperate, I jumped at the chance for help as we approached.

“Gladys! Ryan!” I banged against the passenger window, willing them to look over. Jake sped up, and I couldn’t see much as we passed the van. “Help!”

He snorted. “Don’t be so dramatic. This is for your own safety.”

I gave the handle a few more useless yanks as my freak-out mode fully engaged. “Jake,please. This isn’t funny. Pull over.”

His mouth formed a thin line as he kept driving—very noticeablynotpulling over.

I turned in my seat to stare out the back window as the Dog-Mobile shrank in the distance, in complete disbelief this was happening again.

Had I seriously been abducted twice in one day?

…Gladys would never let me live this down.

the dream team

. . .

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