Page 85 of Hot for Hostage

“A dozen?” I echoed, voice squeaky.

He crossed his arms and looked anywhere but at me. “Listen, kid. I know this is hard to hear, but Davian needs a strong woman who brings something to the table and will stand by his side. Not some clueless girl who bakes dog cookies and wears pink overalls.”

Unwelcome tears stung my eyes. “I’m not clueless.”

“Saying that just proves my point,” he muttered dryly. “I’m giving it to you straight because you deserve that much. You’re anice distraction for him while his pop is still in charge.” His gaze flicked down my figure. “A sweet thing he can play with before he officially takes over the family business, but he’ll never stay with a girl like you long-term. It’s suicide in this world.”

Adistraction. Something toplaywith? Now I definitely felt sick. And maybe a little weepy.

But I was also angry.

Angry at Vince for so easily dismissing what Davian and I had. At myself for falling so hard. And at Davian for not telling me he had a line of mafia princesses just waiting for a chance at him.

The anger clogged my throat, and I couldn’t speak.

Vince rubbed the back of his neck. “It sounds cruel, but it’s the truth. Are you even that surprised? You met him yesterday.”

“Right,” I whispered. It was a fair point. It seemed crazy to care this much about someone after a couple days, but nothing about how Davian and I had met was normal. Could my strong feelings for him have anything to do with him being my hostage?

Maybe reverse Stockholm syndrome was a thing.

“It’s nothing personal,” Vince added. “My job is to keep Davian alive. Right now, you’re the biggest threat to him.”

I scoffed. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”

“Am I? Yesterday, Davian was untouchable. Our enemies had nothing on him.Nothing.” He huffed a laugh that lacked any humor. “Then you waltz in with your pink overalls and dog cookies, and it’s like an answer to their fucking prayers. You’re an easy target to be used against him.”

That stung. “I would never doanythingto hurt Dav.”

“And I’m sure you believe that.” He looked in what I guessed was the direction of the house. We were still deep enough in the woods that all I could see were trees. “But others will try to get to him through you. You need to understand you’re putting him in danger just by being in his life.”

I frowned. “Do you want him to be alone, then?”

His gaze only grew more unimpressed. “I told you. He deserves a partner who can protect herself. One who’s just as capable as he is—and who can get a stupid dog back without his help. Someone like Daniella.”

How dare he.

“Who says I can’t protect myself?” I asked, lifting my chin. “I did just fine when I took Davian hostage.”

He snorted. “If you believe you were in control for even one second at Bruno’s, then you’re even more naïve than I thought.”

I was getting really sick of Vince pointing out every single flaw he saw in me.

“Forget it,” I muttered, shaking my head and marching down the path. His opinion didn’t matter. Davian was the one I needed to talk to.

Vince easily matched my stride. “Where are you going?”

“Davian’s office,” I answered shortly. At least, I hoped I was headed in that direction. It was impossible to see anything through these trees, and my sense of direction had never been great. “Then I’m leaving. If I’m just a plaything, then I’d rather spend my time at the shelter with the people and dogs who actually enjoy my company.”

I’d barely gotten the words out before Vince snatched my arm in a tight hold and veered to the right, manhandling me in a new direction. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Come with me.”

“What the— Hey!” I gaped at his grip on my arm, having déjà vu to the other times I’d been grabbed today. “Seriously?”

I tugged against his hold, but it didn’t budge, and all I could do was thump my fist uselessly against his arm as he dragged me wherever he wanted.

Where the heck was a broom when I needed one?

manhandled (again)

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