Page 96 of Hot for Hostage

I didn’t need to check the bathroom to know the tub was empty.

“Vince!” I yelled, setting the bowl aside and striding to the balcony. Sadie had made a sad excuse for a rope out of our sheets. I leaned over the railing, but there was no sign of any pink-haired bakers or slobbering beasts in the open area of the grounds.

Vince burst through the door moments later with his gun drawn. “What happened?”

Cursing under my breath, I stormed back inside.

Other than her clothes, Sadie’s things were gone. Her phone wasn’t on the charger. Even that stupid dead plant she’d insisted on bringing here was gone.

But the piece of paper on the dresser hadn’t been there earlier. I picked up the hastily scrawled note.

Dav,

Sorry to run off like this. I’ve really enjoyed our time together, but I think it’s time for me to get back to my life. Thank you for not holding the whole hostage thing against me.

If things were different, I would’ve loved to have that dinner with you.

Yourhostage-takerhostagefriendpartnersweetheartI’m not sure what to write hereThank you for everything,

Sadie

P.S. I’m also sorry for leaving the bath running (again), and I promise to reimburse you for the water bill.

I carefully folded the note and set it on my dresser, barely clinging to the last shred of my patience.

“Again?” I asked evenly, slowly rounding on Vince. “You lost heragain?”

He’d been off fetching ice cream for Sadie instead of watching her.

Vince stared at the note like he couldn’t believe it was real before answering through a clenched jaw. “That girl is surprisingly duplicitous.”

“You keep underestimating her,” I said, already dialing the guard at the front gate.

A quick chat with Hollis let me know no one had left the premises.

“She couldn’t have gotten far. Have Enzo look through the outdoor camera footage while everyone checks the buildings and grounds. Be on the lookout for any hiding spots,” I told Hollis, before remembering something important. “Tell Enzo not to go back further than half an hour on the footage.”

I’d been so wrapped up in Sadie earlier, I’d forgotten about the security cameras facing the patio.

That was out of character for me.

Hanging up, I turned to Vince. “Find the dog. Sadie won’t leave without him.”

He scowled but pulled out his phone. “I’ll call in Shane and Malcolm to?—”

A series of loud explosions erupted through the open balcony doors. Both of us reached for our guns and ran toward the noise.

The heavy scent of smoke came next, followed by quiet.

I shared a look with Vince. “What the hell was that?”

noooooooo

. . .

Davian

A soft whizzing sounded before another set of explosions filled the sky, making me and Vince both hug the wall.

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