Page 39 of Hot for Hostage

Bear and I whipped up a fresh batch of peanut butter treats and watched a wholesome puppy movie. Then I put on my paw print pajamas, and we snuggled together in bed. And all throughout, I couldn’t shake Davian from my thoughts.

He’d kept his promise and rescued Bear.

I bit my lip. After Gladys’s description of the man, Davian was nothing like I’d expected. He was so sweet and protective. Okay, so maybe he’d shot a kid in the leg, but that was to defend me and Bear. Then the way he’d kissed me and what had happened in the SUV…

My whole body heated just thinking about it.What’s gotten into me?

“I’m in trouble,” I whispered against Bear’s fur. “I think I’m falling for my hostage.”

Except Davian wasn’t my hostage anymore, was he?

In fact, we were going on a date tomorrow. The thought made me giddy, and I squeezed Bear tight enough that he snorted.

“Sorry.” I patted his side gently. “Just thinking about Dav?—”

A sharp knock on the door silenced me, and Bear’s head snapped up beside me. I frowned, not wanting to get up from under the cozy pile of covers.

But another three knocks sounded—more urgent—and I glanced at the clock. It was almost midnight. Who could possibly be visiting now?

Whoever it was pounded on the door again, and I clung to Bear as his chest rumbled with a low growl.

“Sadie? Open up,” a deep voice I didn’t recognize called through the door. Goose bumps popped up along my arms, and I rubbed Bear’s thick fur.

“Who do you think it is, buddy?” I whispered, wishing Davian were still here. Maybe I should’ve asked him to stay the night.

My cheeks warmed at the thought of what we’d be doing if he were still here, but that wasn’t important right now.

Focus.There’s a creepy stranger at the door.

Bear whined before hopping down from the bed. His lithe body trotted toward the door, head low to the ground. I moved to follow him—when a loudcrackechoed through the apartment, and a large man barreled through my broken door.

I froze in shock before recognizing Vince’s broad build and frigid glare.

My brain took a moment to catch up, but Bear had already sprung into action—and he flew across the floor toward Vince with a deafening growl.

“Bear, no!” I cried, jumping after him.

But I was too late.

Bear took Vince down in a single lunge, and they both hit the ground with a painfulthudthat made me wince.

“Bear,off!” I shouted at the mess of limbs. Thankfully, he listened and got off the large man. I grabbed Bear’s collar and tugged him further back.

Vince cursed and stumbled to his feet, glaring at Bear. “Damn mongrel.”

I scowled. “There’s no need for name-calling. He was just protecting me.”

Vince shouldered past me and marched over to the windows.

“No time for that. Where’s your fire escape?” he asked, checking each window. When he found the right one, he jammed it open and beckoned me over. “Leave everything. You and the dog come with me.”

My jaw dropped. “What are you?—?”

“Move it.Now. The Skulls are on their way up here.”

My grip tightened on Bear’s collar, and I blinked back at Vince. There was no way I’d heard him correctly.

“Thoseteenagerscame here?” I asked, shocked.

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