Page 104 of Hot for Hostage

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Sadie

Sadie’s Guide toHostage-TakingBeing Taken HostageForming a Partnership with Your HostageEmbracing the Hostage LifestyleNot Freaking OutEscaping, Tip #28: Choose your escape vehicle wisely. Bulky vans that max out at 42 mph and lack proper safety harnesses might not be the ideal choice for quick getaways.

Well, that could’ve gone better.

I set my phone on the van floor with shaking fingers and patted Bear’s chest, wishing I could erase that embarrassing phone call from my memory.

“What was that about a man locked in a shed?” Gladys asked from the front. She’d slowed down considerably while I’d taken Davian’s call—especially after a taco truck had cut her off.

I winced. “It’s a long story.”

“I want to know more about the meringue metaphor,” Ryan said. “What were you smoking when you came up with that?”

I rubbed my eyes with a sigh. “I don’t know. It made sense in my head.”

The following silence as we drove grew way too awkward before Gladys finally broke it. “You weren’t kidding about that bastard being sweet on you, were you?”

To my embarrassment, tears welled in my eyes, and I fought to blink them back. “It doesn’t matter now.”

“But I thought you said Reed would forget all about you.” Ryan turned in his seat to frown at me. “If that’s true, why was he just begging you to come back?”

“He wasn’t begging,” I said, defensive of Davian. “And he’ll get over it.”

“Wait a second.” Ryan’s eyes widened in disbelief. “Is that why Reed gave all that money to the shelter yesterday—because he wants to sleep with you?”

I blinked back at him, not following. “…What money?”

“He donated a small fortune! Mr. Sanders was over the moon about it, and he almost threw out his hip again. There was even a new security system included in the donation. Updated cameras and everything.”

“We’re one of those high-tech establishments now,” Gladys chimed in, though she lacked any of Ryan’s excitement. “But it’s all hogwash, in my opinion. A man like him wouldn’t donate without wanting something in return.”

“And you think he wants Sadie?” Ryan asked.

I was too busy reeling from the donation news to process what they were saying. None of this made any sense. “You’re sayingDaviandid all that? Davian Reed?”

Ryan shrugged. “The donation was anonymous, but you know how big of a mouth Brenda has. The whole place knew who the donor was before we fed the dogs breakfast. Mr. Sanders got a notice the rent went back to normal, too. I’m guessing Reed had something to do with that?”

When all I could do was gape, Bear butted his head against mine in concern. I petted him distractedly.

I’d mentioned the shelter’s rent problem to Davian once in passing, and he’d fixed it right away.

But why hadn’t he told me?

“Don’t go getting all weepy, child,” Gladys warned me as she passed another car. “You’re no corner girl. He can’t buy you, and I’m offended he’d even try.”

“He’s not buying anyone, Gladys.” Ryan’s ever-calm persona returned as he faced the windshield again. “Maybe he just likes dogs.”

A fist wrapped around my heart and tugged, throwing me off balance and constricting my throat.

“He doesn’t like dogs,” I whispered, sinking my fingers into Bear’s fur. I had to clear my throat before I could speak again. “You said Davian donated the money yesterday?”

“Yep. Last night.”

“Right before you shacked up with him,” Gladys added with a grumble. “Convenient timing.”

I caught my lower lip between my teeth. “But we didn’t do anything more than kissing until today.”

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