Page 43 of Hot for Hostage

“Do you have to go?” she asked softly.

Her uneasiness made me frown. “Sadie, you’re safe now. Nobody is getting past my men or into this room.”

When she looked up again, tears had gathered in her eyes. “Please stay?”

Well… shit.

Like I could say no to that.

“If that’s what you want,” I said slowly, half-expecting her to change her mind. “I’ll put Vince in charge, then I can stay.”

She nodded eagerly before I’d even finished speaking, so I texted Vince to let him know I’d be up here. As I approached the bed, Sadie’s shoulders visibly relaxed.

Strange. Usually, my presence had the opposite effect on people.

The room must’ve passed Bear’s inspection, because he jumped onto the bed and lay next to Sadie.

Yeah, screw that.

I snapped my fingers and pointed to the floor.

“Off the bed,” I ordered, but he just closed his eyes and rested his head next to Sadie’s. Was he pretending not to hear me? “Down, Bear.”

Again, he didn’t react. This had to be a bad joke.

My jaw clenched, and I forced the question out. “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 wouldnotbe jealous of a dog.

Not again.

“He’s not sleeping with us, Sadie. I won’t share my bed with a dog.”

Not to mention he was onmyside.

“Why not?” She turned her big grey eyes up to me, which wasn’t fair at all. “He had a scary night, too, and there’s plenty of room for all of us.”

Plenty of room? The beast took up half the bed with the way he was spread out. But he sealed the deal by giving Sadie’s cheek a small lick, which made her smile, and I cursed under my breath.

This was happening.

So, I slipped off my shoes before drawing back the covers and sliding into the other—smaller—side next to Sadie with my clothes still on.

Gathering Sadie in my arms, I pulled her against my chest and placed a kiss on top of her head. “Close your eyes, sweetheart.”

She wiggled around, resting a timid hand against my stomach and her cheek against my chest with a sigh.

“I don’t know if I can sleep. If Vince hadn’t been there…” A shiver racked her body, and I tightened my hold. Bear whined low in his throat and inched even closer to Sadie, giving her head a nudge. She reached behind her and scratched his fur before freezing. “Wait. WhywasVince there?”

I’d been hoping she’d overlook that. “It was a precaution, and it paid off.”

Technically the truth.

Once that sank in, she let out a pained groan. “Oh no. Does that mean I’ll have tothankhim for breaking down my door?”

I went still. Vince hadn’t mentioned anything about that. “He did what?”

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