39. Manhandled （Again）
manhandled (again)
. . .
Sadie
Sadie’s Guide to Hostage-Taking Being Taken Hostage Forming a Partnership with Your Hostage Embracing the Hostage Lifestyle Not Freaking Out, Tip #24: Prior to dabbling in the life of organized crime, I highly recommend investing in self-defense lessons. You won’t always have a broom nearby.
“I’m getting really tired of being manhandled today!” I declared as Vince dragged me through the woods.
“Quit whining,” he snapped before pulling me straight into the branch of a tall shrubbery, which smacked me in the face. I spluttered when something fuzzy got into my mouth. “You can’t storm into that office while Seb’s here. We need you to stay out of sight until he’s gone.”
Plucking a rogue leaf off my tongue, I glared up at him. “Are you planning to lock me in a shed, too?”
“Of course not. You can stay in Davian’s room until Seb takes off, then I’ll send the boss up to talk to you.”
“Or—”
“It’s not up for discussion,” he growled, yanking me with enough force to make me stumble. I didn’t stand a chance against his mountain of muscle, so I resigned myself to my fate with a sigh.
Vince was a man of few words during the forced march to Davian’s room. He didn’t say anything until I asked where Bear was—and even then, he only spoke long enough to tell me Bear had bolted after a squirrel.
Then all I got was the cold shoulder.
He hauled me the whole way back to the house, even after I promised not to run off if he let me walk on my own. When we passed different guards, he’d nod to them, and they’d carry on as if Vince dragging a woman through the compound against her will was a perfectly normal mafia practice.
That was more than a little disturbing.
But the longer we walked, the larger the rain cloud looming over me and the more sluggish my steps. That hot flash of anger I’d clung to was fizzling out, replaced by a sadness usually reserved for when Bruno was out of bubblegum ice cream.
It didn’t help that thinking about ice cream gave me a sudden craving for the tasty treat. Maybe a bowl would ease the sting of Vince’s words.
Vince refused to release me until we reached Davian’s room, and then he couldn’t shove me through the doorway fast enough. But the glare he pinned me with guaranteed I didn’t go far.
“If you’re thinking about running again, don’t,” he warned. “I hid all the car keys, and the walls are too high to climb. The guards won’t hurt you, but you won’t make it to the gate this time without a dozen of them stopping you. You’re not leaving again.”
I rubbed my arm with a frown. “I thought you wanted me gone. Shouldn’t you be helping me out the door?”
The corner of his mouth lifted in a tight smile. “My job is to keep Davian safe. So, until he realizes what a terrible idea you are, keeping you here is the safest choice for both of you.”
Well, he sure knew how to make a girl feel special.
Vince moved to close the door, but I grabbed it just before it could shut.
“Wait.” I bit my lip. “Um… I’m sorry to ask, but is there any chance you could get me something to drown my sorrows? I’ll reimburse you for it.”
I really wasn’t trying to be dramatic, but it’d been a rough afternoon. I wasn’t opposed to numbing the pain a little.
For the first time since I met him, Vince actually looked at me with a hint of understanding. Maybe even a dash of sympathy—or pity—as he pushed the door open further. “Sure. What’s your poison?”
I sniffled. Bubblegum was for when I was already happy. I needed a comfort flavor for wallowing. “Mint chocolate chip, please.”
“Mint chocolate… Hold on. You aren’t talking about liquor?” He stared at me for a long moment—brow furrowed and mouth agape—before shaking his head. “I can check, but we don’t usually stock ice cream.”
My heart sank. “Great. That’s just great .” I was beyond keeping control of my emotions at this point, and my face crumpled before I could stop it. This was it. The straw that broke my proverbial camel’s back. I choked on a sob. “ Could this day get any worse? ”
Vince’s eyes widened in alarm.
“Shit. Don’t cry,” he blurted, fishing out his phone. “I’ll send someone out for it, okay? Just don’t cry.”
That cut off my surge of panic, and I drew in a shaky breath. Maybe I was overreacting… just a little.
“Thank you,” I whispered as he sent off a text. This definitely wasn’t one of my finest moments. “I’m sorry. I swear I’m not usually so emotional, but the stress of this whole hostage thing must be getting to me. The life of crime takes a toll, as I’m sure you know.”
Vince looked up from his phone and stared at me for a long beat.
“Uh, yeah. Don’t worry about it,” he said slowly, stepping back into the hallway. “There’s a store down the road. Shane is heading there now. Why don’t you just try to relax until Davian finishes with Seb? Take a bath or something. I’ll make sure a bowl of mint chocolate chip is here by the time you finish.”
Surprisingly, his pitiful attempt at sounding comforting made me feel a little better.
“That’s very kind of you. Thanks.” I dropped my hand from the door, embarrassed by my near meltdown. “I take back most of the mean things I thought about you while you were dragging me here.”
Not all of them, but the especially nasty ones like how I wished he’d lose all his taste buds so he could never enjoy good buttercream icing again. I wouldn’t usually wish that on my worst enemy.
“Don’t mention it.” He inched back like he wanted to be anywhere but here. I didn’t blame him. “Just hang out here until Davian shows up.”
I popped my head out the doorway after him. There was one more thing I needed to say.
“Vince?” I called softly to his back. He pulled to a stop, looking back at me, and I wet my lips. “I really am sorry I took your gun.”
He snorted, and his lips flirted with the beginnings of a smile.
“Water under the bridge.” He paused. “I’m sorry it didn’t work out with Reed.”
He said it like things already hadn’t worked out, which gave me pause. Was it over before we even had a chance to start?
Maybe I was fooling myself.
But Vince was the last person who’d be sorry about it, and I rolled my eyes even as a reluctant smile tugged at my lips. “No you’re not.”
His wide shoulders rose in a shrug. “Guilty. But you’re sweet, and sweet is a weakness in this life. Davian doesn’t need weaknesses.”
My smile faded. Antonio had said the same thing. “You’re such a jerk.”
“Did you expect me to be anything else?” He arched a brow. “I’ve got to check on something, but want me to bring the dog back inside?”
The question pulled at my heartstrings, and I had to fight down the urge to shout yes. Even though I wanted Bear’s cuddles more than anything, it’d be selfish of me.
“No thank you.” I dropped my gaze to the spotless hardwood floor. No matter how much I craved comfort, Bear was better off having fun with his new squirrel friend. “I don’t want him to see me like this.”
“…Right,” Vince said before taking off down the stairs like he couldn’t leave fast enough.
I sighed and slipped back into Davian’s room. The moment the door clicked shut, I wanted to yank it back open. I’d never been very good at sitting around and waiting. It made my skin itchy.
And now, I felt… lost.
One thing I knew for certain was my welcome at Davian’s compound wasn’t feeling so warm anymore.
I wanted to be back at Happy Tails Haven with the dogs, who didn’t care how strong I was.
Back with my friends, who would never call me a distraction.
I wanted to go home .
A soft buzzing sounded from the dresser, and I padded over to where my phone was charging. It vibrated with an incoming call, and the weight pushing down on my chest eased at the familiar name that flashed across the screen.
Gladys .