Bruno shifted like he wasn’ t sure whether to let it go or char ge at me with an ice cream scooper , but he settled for questioning the girl again. “Would you like a cone for the road?” Sadie stood up with the stack of flyers and seemed to seriously consider it before shaking her head. “Thanks, but I’m too worried to eat.” “It migh t lift your spirits?” he pushed, and my fingers twitched. She’d already said no. But when Sadie bit down on her lip again, I bit my tongue. That was another surprise. Davian Reed letting a woman run things? Unheard of. But Sadie was already making moon eyes at the ice cream display . “You’re right. Maybe just one small sample of butterscotch wouldn’ t hurt?” she asked with a she epish smile. She was too damn cute for her own good. The big man smiled from ear to ear and dipped a tiny spoon into one of the big containers before passing it over the counter , trading her for the stack of flyers. “Good luck. I hope you get Bear back safely .” “Me too. I’ll see you later , Bruno. Thanks for the sample!” Bruno nodded and cleared his throat. “Mr . Reed —” “We’ll talk later ,” I said, cutting off whatever he wanted to say with a sharp look. If he warned me not to hurt this girl again, I might end up grabbing the gun from Sadie and showing her just how afraid of me she should be. “And send me the plans you have for the space next door . I’ll look over them.” I ushered Sadie out the door while she downed the ice cream with a pleased hum. Vince was waiting halfway down the block when we st epped outside, and I grumbled under my breath. How was I supposed to explain to him I was will ingly being taken hostage? He’d probably call my old man and say I’d lost it. “Everything’ s fine. I’m just going for a little ride with Sadie here.” I winked, touching my hand to the small of her back. My finge rs itched to reach lower to the swell of her ass. “A ride?” Vince stared at me like he didn’ t recognize me, and to be honest, I wasn’ t sure I did either . I wasn’ t usually one to think with my dick. His gaze strayed to Sadie—who was fumbling with the gun and trying to conceal it in her pink overalls—before narrowing on me. “Boss?”
“Why don’ t you head back to the compound?” I suggested. “We shouldn’ t be long.” Sadie mumbled something unde r her breath about women’ s clothing and lack of pockets. She wasn’ t even paying attention to us. Vince’ s lips thinned. “Y ou can’ t be serious.” “Oh, I’m deadly serious. Trust me.” While I stopped walking when we reached Vince, Sadie k ept going. She veered away from us and power -walked over to a yellow Volkswagen Beetle parked at the curb witho ut seeming to care if I—her hostage—was following her or not. I shared a mystified look with Vince before jogging after her . The closer I got, the more her ride looked like a death trap than a car . Where were the rims? The bum per? I’d bet good money the paint had faded years ago. “Why don’ t I drive?” I asked. In all honesty , I was ready to insist we take the bus if she was so against riding in my car. Anything but this trash can on wheels. “You have to hold the gun on me, and it isn’ t safe to drive with one hand.” Sadie chewed on her lip again— it was a miracle there was anything left to chew on at this point. “I don’ t know... Daisy doesn’ t reall y like other people touching her . She’ s picky like that.” “Daisy?” Her look made it clear she thou ght I was slow , then she nodded at her car. I stared at the beat-up piece of junk. “Y ou named your car Daisy ?” “Why not? It’s a cute name for a cute car.” She patted the top of the car like an old friend. The metal groaned under her touch, and my eye twitched. Sadie frowned. “But I guess you have a point. I really should ke ep my focus on you, just in case.” That was fine by me. I opened the passenger door for her before she could change her mind, and she gave me a surprised smile before ducking inside. Shutting the door after her, I ques tioned my own sanity while circling the car to the driver ’s side. The driv er’s seat was practically kissing the steering wheel. Even after I cranked it all the way back, the space was a tight squeeze. Sadie laughed
softly when my thighs brushed the bottom of the wheel, and I wanted to hear her make that sound again. Yup, I was in trouble. “Sorry .” She yanked on her seat belt, trying to buckle it one-handed. “I forgot how tall you are. Daisy’ s more short-people friendly .” “I can see that.” I fastened my belt while she fumbled with hers. “Here. Let me.” I took the seat belt from her and easily buckled it in before pulling the belt tight. Her chest rose as she sucked in a breath, and I couldn’ t help but notice how good she looked strapped in. Then a blush spread across her cheeks, sending all my blood south. “Thanks,” Sadie whispered as I pulled back. “Anytime, sweetheart.” She rolled her eyes before looking out the window . “I’m not your sweetheart.” I grinned and started up the car . “My mistake.”
S a d i e Sadie’ s Guide to Hostage-T aking, T ip #5: W ear something with lar ge pockets. Most women’ s clothing isn’ t made with hostage-taking in mind. It was a short drive back to the shelter, and Davian parked in an open spot right in front. I’d been worried about someone other than me driving Daisy, but he handled her like a pro. Part of me was a little miffed she took to him so nicely when it’d taken me months to win her over . It felt strange walking up to the shelter, knowing Bear wasn’t in there, but at least I had hope we’d find him soon. Davian walked beside me and cleared his throat, then nodded pointedly at the gun I held at my side. “I don’t mean to overst ep, but it might be better to hide the gun while we’re outside?” he suggested. “Wouldn’t want any passersby to ask questions.” “Right.” I nodded and went to stuff the gun in the front of my overalls again—but Davian’ s quick grip around my wrist stopped me. I stared down at his hand, shocked at how big it looked around my small wrist. “Did you make sure the safety is on?” he asked, sounding concerned. He let go of my wrist, and I tried to shake off the phantom touch. “Wouldn’t want you accidentally shooting your leg.”