Page 153 of Hot for Hostage

“But mark my words, Reed. If you hurt my friend or make her cry, I have my own ways of making you suffer. And I have a network of old broads who’ve read enough crime thrillers to know where to hide the bodies,” Gladys warned, making my brows rise. “They’re also old enough they don’t care whether they spend their last years behind bars instead of a nursing home.”

It was hard not to look at the others to see if they were laughing as I fought to keep a straight face. “Message received.”

She hummed, giving me a quick once-over that said she didn’t like what she saw. “It’s good to know you’re not a complete imbecile.”

I couldn’t hide my amusement at her sudden boldness. “It wasn’t that long ago you were terrified of me.”

“That was before.” She lifted her chin and glanced at Sadie, who was still hiding behind her hands. “You can’t touch me now.”

It took me a second to realize she was right. I wouldn’t hurt Sadie’s friends. The realization was… annoying, but I wasn’t too upset by it. Anyone willing to kill someone on Sadie’s behalf was good in my book.

My lips twitched. “I think we’ll get along just fine, Gladys.”

She only grunted. “We’ll see.”

Gladys sauntered off without another word—heading straight for the liquor bottles.

Sadie groaned, keeping her face covered and burying it in my shoulder. “I’m so sorry about that?—”

“Don’t be.” I trailed my fingers up and down her side. “It’s good to have people who care about you so much.”

She pulled back to gape at me.

“My friend just threatened to murder you, and you’re okay with that?” Her voice rose until it was mostly squeaking, and she waved her hand at my face. “You’re evensmiling!”

I leaned closer and lowered my voice to make it seem like I had a secret. “That’s because I’m happy.”

Her mouth opened and closed like a fish, before a smile broke through. “Oh, you’re smooth.”

She gave me a kiss on the cheek that made me want another one.

I was no better than Bear.

Vince strolled over not long after Gladys left, and it was the first opportunity I had to break the news to him. “Seb’s out.”

He stopped in front of our chair. “For good?”

“Dante is handling the details.” I nodded. “I told him to leave town tonight.”

“Good.” He grunted, leaning against the table. “It’s about time, to be honest.”

It was.

Vince glanced at Sadie in my lap, and I caught him doing a double take—which drew my attention back to her, too. Sadie sat with her arms crossed, brows pinched, and a glare focused on Vince. When she raised a brow, he frowned.

“What?” He scowled at her. “Why are you looking at me like that?”

Sadie huffed, then deepened her voice in what I could only guess was a poor imitation of my right-hand man. “‘I was so wrong about you, Sadie. You’re not a distraction or a weakness. You’re a broom-wielding, baking goddess who deserves some respect. Please accept my deepest apologies for being such a grumpy,insufferablejerk to you. You deserve better.’”

I had to stifle a snort of laughter, and even Vince was fighting back a smirk when he shared a look with me.

“Well?” Sadie pressed, watching him expectantly.

He sighed.

“I heard you took one of Ali’s men out with a broom,” he finally told her. The following pause lasted for ages, until he added, “That’s pretty badass.”

Sadie pretended to buff her nails against the shoulder of my borrowed jacket. “You should see what I can do with a potted plant.”

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