Page 78 of Hot for Hostage

Denial was a much more appealing option until I could hear the words straight from Davian’s mouth.

I needed to go find him. “Excuse me. I should go?—”

“Not so fast.” Mr. Reed was beside me before I could blink, grabbing my arm and surprising the crap out of me. I froze, gaping at where his fingers dug into my skin. “There’s no need to be dramatic. I just want to know more about the woman who made my boy’s eyes wander.”

He was close—way too close—and my heart hammered against my rib cage with enough force to hurt. I tried to yank my arm back, but his grip didn’t budge.

“There’s been a misunderstanding,” I forced through clenched teeth, fighting to stay calm. But it was difficult whenhe was holding my freaking arm. “Let’s go find Davian, and he’ll clear this up. He’ll tell you he isn’t getting married.”

Or I’d look like an idiot for falling for an engaged man.

“We’re not going anywhere.” He let out a chuckle more menacing than amused and stepped even closer—boxing me in against the counter. The cinnamon in his aftershave overwhelmed my senses, making me scrunch my nose. “You’re going to tell me what you want from my son.”

I cringed away from him as much as his hold allowed.

Should I scream for help? Will anyone hear me?

No, I needed to handle this myself. Ignoring his question, I scoured the counter for anything to defend myself with, but the only thing within reach was my piping bag. What could I even do with it—squirt icing into the man’s one good eye? Like Davian had said, it wasn’t much of a weapon.

If only I still had Vince’s gun.

I’d have to give politeness a chance instead. “Please let go of me.”

Mr. Reed very noticeably didnotlet go. If anything, he leaned in until the unbearable heat of his breath crawled down my neck, making me shudder.

“What are you after?” he pressed. “Money? Information? Did someone send you here to seduce Davian?”

I swallowed what would’ve been a hysterical laugh. He was clearly a very paranoid man, because I was the last person anyone would send on a seduction mission.

“I’m not after anything,” I said, attempting to reason with him while leaning further from his stale breath. My gazedropped to the counter, and I focused on breathing. “I already told you; Davian was just helping me get one of the shelter’s dogs back. That’s all.”

“Yes, the missing dog,” he said dryly. “Was that really the best sob story you could think of?”

I winced. Of course he didn’t believe what had happened to Bear.

I opened my mouth to plead with him again, when another voice cut through the tension—a voice so low and terrifying, it made the little hairs on my arms stick straight up.

“Let her go.”

let her go

. . .

Sadie

Sadie’s Guide toHostage-TakingBeing Taken HostageForming a Partnership with Your HostageEmbracing the Hostage LifestyleNot Freaking Out, Tip #21: Don’t underestimate mafia staff. Chefs have extensive knife training.

My head shot up, and I sagged in relief—Antonio stood on the other side of Mr. Reed. He glared at the man holding my arm with a fury I never would’ve expected from him. Cold and unforgiving, it hit me with a fresh spike of fear, even though it wasn’t directed at me. He held none of his earlier warmth, but I didn’t care—I’d never been happier to see someone.

“Antonio!” I cried. “Thank goodness?—”

The grip on my arm tightened enough to make me stifle a cry, and Sebastian shifted to look over his shoulder. “Nice of you to join us, Tony.”

The chef’s hard expression didn’t waver. “If you’d like to keep your hand attached to your body, I suggest you remove it from the boss’s girl.”

The cold warning sent a chill skittering down my spine. I tried to pull away again, but Mr. Reed’s grip was ironclad.

“Relax,” he drawled. “I’m just getting to know your little helper.”

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