Page 84 of Hot for Hostage

I just hadn’t known why until he shot Fessy. And now there was a man in a shed.

The need to sit down overwhelmed me, and only the fact I wasn’t wearing any underwear stopped me from plopping on the dirty forest floor right here.

“There’s a big difference between knowing andseeing,” I muttered. “And I only just learned I’m apparently a mistress, so that’s doing great things for my sanity.”

Vince didn’t say anything at first, and when I worked up the nerve to look at him, he was frowning. “What do you mean you’re a mistress?”

The whole Davian-getting-married thing felt almost laughable now compared to locking men in sheds, but it still hurt.

…And now I had a chance to get answers from Davian’s right-hand man. Vince could tell me what was going on.

“Davian’s father told me he’s engaged,” I said stiffly, watching Vince closely for a reaction.

He only stared at me like I’d grown a second head, which was oddly comforting. If Davian was getting married, surely Vince would know.

“You spoke to Old Seb?” he asked slowly, narrowing his eyes. “Ignore him. Davian doesn’t see Daniella like that?—”

“Daniella?” I stopped dead in my tracks and clutched Vince’s arm. She had a name? Of course she did. Bitterness filled my mouth. “Who the heck is Daniella?”

Vince’s face twisted in a grimace—he definitely regretted letting that one slip—but it was too late to take the name back.

I wanted to laugh, but I was afraid it would come out as a sob instead.

This just kept getting better and better.

a prized cow

. . .

Sadie

Sadie’s Guide toHostage-TakingBeing Taken HostageForming a Partnership with Your HostageEmbracing the Hostage LifestyleNot Freaking Out, Tip #23: When everything feels like it’s falling apart, know it can always get worse.

“Who’s Daniella?” I repeated through gritted teeth, fighting a losing battle to keep my composure.

Vince stared down at my hand on his arm in silence, and I gingerly pulled it back to my side.

He made sure to heave a large sigh like he was granting me some huge favor by answering me. “You don’t come from this world, but families like the Reeds thrive on alliances. Daniella’s father has a nice slice of territory up north, and he offered her to Davian for an alliance years ago.”

My jaw dropped.

“‘Offered her’? What, like she’s a prized cow or something?” I shook my head, because nothing about that computed in my brain. Who in their right mindofferedtheir daughters to menin the mafia? But that didn’t stop my stomach from filling with dread, and my throat tightened uncomfortably. “Did he accept?”

“Not yet, but everyone expects him to cave eventually.” Vince shrugged. “It’s what’s best for the families.”

My heart stuttered. If Davian was so quick to help me and Bear—who were strangers to him yesterday—I could only imagine the lengths he’d go for his family.

And now I felt dirty.

I’d just done all that stuff with Davian, and he was as good as promised to another. My stomach warred between cramping and throwing up.

Another thought made me lightheaded, and I walked to the nearest tree to rest my palm against it.

“Does she love him?” I asked, bracing myself for the answer as I glanced at Vince.

I wasn’t sure if that would make it better or worse, but from the bewildered look he gave me, it was the last thing he’d expected me to ask.

“Love has nothing to do with it.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “That isn’t expected in our world. Those two have barely said three sentences to each other. But even if it doesn’t work out with Daniella, there’s at least a dozen other qualified women for Davian to choose from who would happily take her place.”

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