Page 53 of Tactically Acquired

“See, why does everyone have to ruin junk food and bad health? Why can’t I choose to eat cookies and cake if I want to?Why do I have to be healthy and run ten miles a day? Can’t I sit around all day and stuff my face as I watchSex In The City?”

“You like that show?” he grimaced.

“No, but I don’t have time for TV and that was the first show that came to mind. Maybe I would have time to watch something if I wasn’t constantly on set or in my trailer with Spencer, doing my best not to gag on his disgusting drinks. Do you know the last time I went to a pizza place with him, he actually ordered a veggie pizza?”

The man looked just as disgusted as I did.

“I know, and then he asked for just water. Water!” I shouted, wincing as something rattled in my head. “Who has just water with pizza? Isn’t that the time to indulge and have a Pepsi or something?”

“I prefer Dr. Pepper,” he shrugged.

“With a touch of lemon?”

“Lime. And no self-respecting man orders a veggie pizza. That’s just…unmanly.”

“Well, let’s not take this too far. I may not agree with his choices, but he’s definitely manly.”

“So, you’ve uh…done things with him?” he smirked.

“One, this is not a gossip column, and two, even if I were friends with you, I wouldn’t tell you. As it is, you’ve got me tied to a chair. I wouldn’t exactly call this a friendly situation.”

“You’re probably right.”

“And besides, I should be angry at you. Just because you’re being somewhat nice and talking to me doesn’t mean you’re a good guy. You did tie me to a chair, after all. And I know you’re planning on keeping me tied up until you trade me for money. Which is really stupid, by the way.”

“And why’s that?”

“Because I happen to have one of the most loyal friends on my side, and you just pissed him off. I can guarantee he’ll be breaking down your door any minute.”

I smirked at him as his eyes flicked to the door nervously. Time ticked by second by second as we both waited for Craig’s arrival. Of course, he didn’t know it was Craig, but I did. I just hoped he wasn’t actually dead, but if he wasn’t, I knew he’d come for me. That’s just what friends did for each other.

“Well, it appears he’s not coming. That’s five minutes.”

I rolled my eyes. “It’s not an exact estimate.”

15

SLIDER

“You’ve got to be fucking kidding me,” I growled as I got out of the SUV and stormed over to the waiting vehicle. “It was you?”

Craig held up his hands in a plea for a stay of execution. “Let’s just focus on getting her back.”

“Why the fuck were you out there to begin with?”

“I’d like to know the same,” Thumper said, coming to stand beside me. “And what the hell happened to you guys?”

“Accident,” Rae reminded us. “They were the ones who snatched her from the kidnappers who stole her from you.”

“That’s one too many fucking kidnappers,” I muttered.

“Look, she was on her way with Spencer,” Craig said, nodding to Spencer, who stood behind us, “and she didn’t actually want to go to this live-action shoot. She was fucking tired and needed a break. So, she asked me for a favor.”

My blood boiled at the insinuation. “And that would be?”

“To kidnap her,” he said bluntly. “I was going to stage it so she could get away with Spencer for a week before her next movie.”

“And you didn’t think to contact us?”

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