38. A Prized Cow
a prized cow
. . .
Sadie
Sadie’s Guide to Hostage-Taking Being Taken Hostage Forming a Partnership with Your Hostage Embracing the Hostage Lifestyle Not Freaking Out, Tip #23: When everything feels like it’s falling apart, know it can always get worse.
“Who’s Daniella?” I repeated through gritted teeth, fighting a losing battle to keep my composure.
Vince stared down at my hand on his arm in silence, and I gingerly pulled it back to my side.
He made sure to heave a large sigh like he was granting me some huge favor by answering me. “You don’t come from this world, but families like the Reeds thrive on alliances. Daniella’s father has a nice slice of territory up north, and he offered her to Davian for an alliance years ago.”
My jaw dropped.
“‘ Offered her ’? What, like she’s a prized cow or something?” I shook my head, because nothing about that computed in my brain. Who in their right mind offered their daughters to men in the mafia? But that didn’t stop my stomach from filling with dread, and my throat tightened uncomfortably. “Did he accept?”
“Not yet, but everyone expects him to cave eventually.” Vince shrugged. “It’s what’s best for the families.”
My heart stuttered. If Davian was so quick to help me and Bear—who were strangers to him yesterday—I could only imagine the lengths he’d go for his family.
And now I felt dirty.
I’d just done all that stuff with Davian, and he was as good as promised to another. My stomach warred between cramping and throwing up.
Another thought made me lightheaded, and I walked to the nearest tree to rest my palm against it.
“Does she love him?” I asked, bracing myself for the answer as I glanced at Vince.
I wasn’t sure if that would make it better or worse, but from the bewildered look he gave me, it was the last thing he’d expected me to ask.
“Love has nothing to do with it.” The corners of his mouth turned down. “That isn’t expected in our world. Those two have barely said three sentences to each other. But even if it doesn’t work out with Daniella, there’s at least a dozen other qualified women for Davian to choose from who would happily take her place.”
“A dozen?” I echoed, voice squeaky.
He crossed his arms and looked anywhere but at me. “Listen, kid. I know this is hard to hear, but Davian needs a strong woman who brings something to the table and will stand by his side. Not some clueless girl who bakes dog cookies and wears pink overalls.”
Unwelcome tears stung my eyes. “I’m not clueless.”
“Saying that just proves my point,” he muttered dryly. “I’m giving it to you straight because you deserve that much. You’re a nice distraction for him while his pop is still in charge.” His gaze flicked down my figure. “A sweet thing he can play with before he officially takes over the family business, but he’ll never stay with a girl like you long-term. It’s suicide in this world.”
A distraction . Something to play with? Now I definitely felt sick. And maybe a little weepy.
But I was also angry.
Angry at Vince for so easily dismissing what Davian and I had. At myself for falling so hard. And at Davian for not telling me he had a line of mafia princesses just waiting for a chance at him.
The anger clogged my throat, and I couldn’t speak.
Vince rubbed the back of his neck. “It sounds cruel, but it’s the truth. Are you even that surprised? You met him yesterday.”
“Right,” I whispered. It was a fair point. It seemed crazy to care this much about someone after a couple days, but nothing about how Davian and I had met was normal. Could my strong feelings for him have anything to do with him being my hostage?
Maybe reverse Stockholm syndrome was a thing.
“It’s nothing personal,” Vince added. “My job is to keep Davian alive. Right now, you’re the biggest threat to him.”
I scoffed. “Now you’re just being ridiculous.”
“Am I? Yesterday, Davian was untouchable. Our enemies had nothing on him. Nothing .” He huffed a laugh that lacked any humor. “Then you waltz in with your pink overalls and dog cookies, and it’s like an answer to their fucking prayers. You’re an easy target to be used against him.”
That stung. “I would never do anything to hurt Dav.”
“And I’m sure you believe that.” He looked in what I guessed was the direction of the house. We were still deep enough in the woods that all I could see were trees. “But others will try to get to him through you. You need to understand you’re putting him in danger just by being in his life.”
I frowned. “Do you want him to be alone, then?”
His gaze only grew more unimpressed. “I told you. He deserves a partner who can protect herself. One who’s just as capable as he is—and who can get a stupid dog back without his help. Someone like Daniella.”
How dare he.
“Who says I can’t protect myself?” I asked, lifting my chin. “I did just fine when I took Davian hostage.”
He snorted. “If you believe you were in control for even one second at Bruno’s, then you’re even more na?ve than I thought.”
I was getting really sick of Vince pointing out every single flaw he saw in me.
“Forget it,” I muttered, shaking my head and marching down the path. His opinion didn’t matter. Davian was the one I needed to talk to.
Vince easily matched my stride. “Where are you going?”
“Davian’s office,” I answered shortly. At least, I hoped I was headed in that direction. It was impossible to see anything through these trees, and my sense of direction had never been great. “Then I’m leaving. If I’m just a plaything, then I’d rather spend my time at the shelter with the people and dogs who actually enjoy my company.”
I’d barely gotten the words out before Vince snatched my arm in a tight hold and veered to the right, manhandling me in a new direction. “Yeah, that’s not happening. Come with me.”
“What the— Hey!” I gaped at his grip on my arm, having déjà vu to the other times I’d been grabbed today. “ Seriously? ”
I tugged against his hold, but it didn’t budge, and all I could do was thump my fist uselessly against his arm as he dragged me wherever he wanted.
Where the heck was a broom when I needed one?