Page 47 of Hot for Hostage

“Hello, Emily,” he said into the phone, and my words died on my tongue. Emily was our receptionist at Happy TailsHaven. “Let your boss know Sadie Morris won’t be coming in to volunteer today.”

I scrambled forward, lunging for the phone before he could hang up. “Give me that!”

Davian raised a brow and let me take the phone.

“Emily?” I asked, hoping he hadn’t scared her into hanging up.

“Yes, this is Emily with Happy Tails Haven. How may I help you?” She sounded uncertain.

“Hey, it’s Sadie. Sorry about that. And I’m really sorry for the last-minute notice, but I can’t make it in for my shift.”

“Oh, no problem, Sadie. I’ll let the others know.” She paused, and I could practically hear her brain working. “…Who was that man?”

I hesitated. How was I supposed to explain what had happened yesterday without sounding like a complete lunatic? I didn’t want to worry them either.

I gave it my best shot.

“Oh, him? Nobody important or scary or anything like that. Just a normal dude.” Davian arched a brow, and I forced a smile that felt more like a grimace. “Tell Gladys not to worry, okay? I’ll be back before she knows it. And call this number if you notice any sketchy guys hanging around the shelter, please.”

“Sketchy guys…?” Another weighted pause had me wondering if I’d overshared before Emily sighed. “Sure thing, Sadie. I hope everything’s okay.”

“It’s peachy. See you later!”

Guilt crept in as soon as I hung up, and I fell back on the bed with a groan, closing my eyes. “I feel awful. I should at least stop by the shelter to let Gladys know I’m safe. Hearing it secondhand from Emily will just worry her more.”

The bed dipped on either side of my head, startling my eyes open. Davian’s arms caged me in.

“You’re not leaving the compound until those men are found, Sadie.” He leaned down until his face hovered just above mine. A wicked smirk flashed. “But if you can’t agree to that, another option is for me to stay and make sure you don’t even leave my bed.”

His words sent a shiver rolling down my spine, and I swallowed. “That sounds like a threat.”

“More of a promise,” he whispered before his voice turned to liquid steel. “Things changed when those men came to your apartment last night. Now we do things my way.”

I blinked up at him, gauging if he was serious.

He was.

Apparently, Davian was a bossypants.

That didn’t really fly with me, but I could play along. For now.

I hummed. “You’re really used to getting your way, aren’t you?”

“Undoubtedly. Now, I need to go tie up some loose ends from yesterday. Have fun here. Explore the grounds with Bear. Do what you want.” He closed the distance to place a far too sweet kiss on my forehead. “I’ll be back for lunch.”

He pulled back, and my eyes narrowed in suspicion. “You mean I’m allowed to wander around? The guards won’t stop me?”

“You’re not a prisoner, Sadie.” He chuckled. “You’re my guest.”

I hesitated. Was this a mind game? Make me feel like I was safe here and had power over my own actions? Maybe all this talk about hostages had messed with me.

“A guest who can’t leave, though?” I asked, wanting to clarify.

“Not until we handle the men who came after you,” he answered. “It’s a safety measure for both youandBear. But theplace is yours to use as you please, and I’ll pick up your phone when I stop by the apartment.”

So, it was more like an even split between prisoner and guest. I could work with that.

For now,I reminded myself.

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