Page 11 of Hot for Hostage

“Let me get this straight,” he said slowly, eyeing me like he thought he’d misheard. “You want me to help you… find a missing dog?”

My lower lip wobbled, but I was just as angry at those little thugs as I was worried for Bear. “I want you to make those boys stop vandalizing our shelter! And to get Bear back. That was the last straw.Nobodytouches our dogs. Well, not unless an adoption is approved. Or if you want to visit and play with the dogs. Or if you volunteer or work there. But outside those circumstances,nobodytouches our dogs.”

I was growing heated at the nerve of those thugs, and Davian reached out—resting his hand on my knee in a move that made my heart flip-flop. The building tension in my limbs melted away, and I couldn’t lie—his touch sent butterflies into flight in my stomach.

“Tell me everything you know about these boys,” he said evenly.

I wiped my wet cheeks and sniffled again. “My coworkers said they’re dangerous and they won’t listen to anyone but the Reed family. They definitely don’t listen to me. I’ve tried talking to the police and showing them the security footage, but all Officer Murdock could offer was an increase in patrols—which did a whole lot of nothing. And now Bear’s beentaken.He mustbe so scared. I always give him two salmon treats a day, and the boys don’t know that. Who knows what they’re feeding him?”

I’d never felt more defeated in my life. Bear counted on me, and I’d let him down.

Davian’s grip tightened on my knee, which did crazy things to my stomach. “You were right to come to me, Sadie.”

I frowned at him, trying to tamp down the hope that sparked. “I was?”

“Yes. I’ll help you.”

The wave of relief made me dizzy, and I almost dropped the gun. But I reminded myself not to trust him so quickly. If Gladys was right, then I’d need more than just Davian’s word.

I’d need his vow.

“Do you promise?” I asked shakily, clutching the gun tighter.

The answering tilt of his lips was far too handsome—which Gladys and Ryan conveniently hadn’t warned me about.

“I promise.” The gruffness in his voice sent an answering shiver down my spine. “You said the Happy House is next to Al’s, so it’s just a short drive away, right?”

“Happy Tails Haven,” I corrected absentmindedly, still amazed he’d agreed so easily. I hadn’t expected the gun approach to work this well. Maybe I’d use it more often. “And yes, it’s nearby.”

“How about I go take care of this right now, then?” Davian asked. “You can come with me to the shelter, so you know I’ve kept my word. I’ll look at the security footage, and if it’s who I think it is, then I know where to find them. We’ll see if your Bear is with them.”

I swiped a trembling hand under my nose. The urge to hug him in gratitude was almost too strong to resist. “I’d really like that.”

“Then it’s done.” He stood and straightened his suit jacket. “I’m parked around the back. Let’s go.”

That brought me up short. He wanted to drive? I caught my lip between my teeth, not so sure anymore.

Davian must’ve sensed my hesitation, because he cocked a brow. “Something wrong?”

I weighed my options before answering honestly. “I’m sorry, but I don’t think I should get into a stranger’s car. Can we take mine instead?”

“You’re the one with the gun,” Davian said lightly, and I looked down at my hands in surprise. For a moment, I’d forgotten it was there. “You make the decisions.”

“Right,” I agreed, tightening my grip on the weapon. I hopped off the stool with a nod. “We’ll take my car, then. She’s parked out front.”

daisy the death trap

. . .

Davian

Sadie was being far more agreeable now compared to when she first pointed a gun at my chest.

But when she waved the weapon and motioned me toward the door, I signaled for her to wait and called to the back, “Bruno?”

The shop owner stuck his head through the doorway like he’d been plastered against it just waiting for a call, and he let out a breath when his eyes fell on Sadie. My eyebrow rose. Had he expected me to shoot the poor girl in front of his store’s full wall of windows?

…Eh, couldn’t really blame him. I’d done worse.

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