Page 57 of Hot for Hostage

I wasn’t sure why he thought I’d need a raincoat when the forecast was sunny skies all week. And snow boots? Maybe he knew something I didn’t.

Only two things Shane had packed for me matched into an actual outfit appropriate for hot weather, and I slipped into the pink skirt and white sleeveless top.

“How do I look?” I asked Bear, twirling so he could get the full picture. He stared back at me before standing and revealing the black loafer he’d been lying on.

Davian’sloafer.

When I scowled, he dipped his head and nudged the shoe closer to me. Slobber dripped down the heel. “Bear! You need to stop taking Davian’s shoes. This isn’t okay.”

Snatching up the shoe and giving Bear a very stern “No!”, I tucked it behind a fake plant in the corner of Davian’s room. I wanted a chance to explain before he saw it.

“That was the last time, okay?” I frowned at Bear. “No more shoes. None. But if you behave, I’ll pick up some toys for you later.”

He looked back at me with those big, sad puppy dog eyes that melted my heart.

“Don’t you dare try to get out of this by playing on my emotions,” I warned him, purposefully turning away so I couldn’t be swayed.

Now, what else was left to get ready before spending a day at the headquarters of a mafia operation?

I’d already put Walter—my sad-looking plant whose droopy leaves had stopped being green a long time ago—next to the window so he’d get some sunlight. My phone was dead, so I plugged it in to charge. Bear had taken his medicine like a champ, and he wouldn’t need another dose until tomorrow.

After folding the rest of my clothes, I wiped my palms on my skirt with a satisfied nod. I was as prepared as I could be.

But Bear was still pouting.

“What if I made a specially baked treat just for you?” I asked, wanting to cheer him up. “Would you stop mauling Davian’s footwear then?”

Bear’s head cocked at the wordtreat.

I clapped my hands. “Treat it is. Let’s go find the kitchen! Come on, boy.”

I was doubly pleased with the idea since I also wanted to bake cupcakes to thank Davian and his men for helping rescue Bear. Davian had said to do what I wanted today, and hopefully that meant I could use his kitchen.

“We’ll need to check what baking equipment and ingredients he has,” I told Bear as we ventured down the main staircase.“Keep your paws crossed, because I really don’t want to ask Vince for a ride to the store.”

Especially since the last time I’d seen the grumpy guard, I’d been topless and straddling his boss while said boss’s fingers were inside me.

Part of me was still peeved at Vince for not waiting just one more minute before interrupting us.

But mostly, I was embarrassed.

We reached the bottom of the giant staircase right as a door opened across the foyer and two guys emerged from a dark stairwell.

When my feet touched the foyer floor and Bear hopped down beside me, all four of us froze. The men straightened and quickly shut the door behind them.

My eyes narrowed.

That wasn’t fishy at all.

Like Davian, both of them were dark-haired, well-built, wearing dark suits, and gave nothing away with their expressions.

It was kind of spooky.

But unlike the hostage who’d wormed his way into my thoughts, these men had blatant wine stains down the fronts of their dress shirts.

It didn’t shock me that Davian’s men were day drinkers, but they didn’t need to be slobs about it.

“You should really get those under cold water before the wine sets,” I said, trying to be helpful. I had my fair share of experience with stains from culinary school and the shelter.

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