Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

12. Chapter 11

Chapter 11

Serena

“Ah, Belgravia.” Liam sighs strolling along the street. He’s like a kid on Christmas pointing out all the cool sights and pretty things as we walk. How this man is a master thief is beyond me. He’s wearing his trademark look: expensive baby blue dress pants and a skintight white button-up. But he’s failing to use the shirt for its intended purposes.

The top three buttons are undone, revealing a gold chain necklace beneath, which I find gaudy and obnoxious. The cuffs are also unbuttoned and rolled up below his elbows. He’s not avoiding attention. He’s attracting and welcoming it, and he’s getting quite a bit of notice. Three groups of tourists, made up entirely of women, have already stopped him to ask for directions. He eats up their obvious flirtation, spending several minutes praising and adoring the women like he’s getting paid to do so.

It doesn’t bother me. In fact, it only reminds me of what I know. He’s a player and a liar.

The sun is fading, bringing with it hues of orange and pink that paint the historic buildings in the glowing light. But I don’t feel light and whimsical or even romantic. My back is stiff, and my hands are clenched as I watch every passerby, every street car, every window for signs of trouble. We need to get off the street, the sooner the better.

A hand clasps around mine, and I whirl on my assailant.

Liam’s eyes widen before turning into something devilish. “I got you a rose.” He holds up a beautiful pink rose beneath my nose.

“Did you poison the thorns?”

“Hmm, I should have thought of that. But no, it’s dethorned, I believe. And nearly as beautiful as you.”

I hate when he does that. I hate when he spreads his stupid lies on innocent women who never asked, but I hate even more that he does it to me. Not because I don’t feel beautiful. But because something weird happens in my chest every time he does. It’s a feeling I can’t name, can’t explain. But it leaves me feeling… vulnerable.

I don’t do vulnerable.

He slips the rose into my hand and for some reason… I hold on to it.

“This way.” He motions me to go left, putting a gentle hand on my lower back.

The other restaurants on this street are bright and colorful, but this one is all dark wood, with black seats, and low lights. It’s instantly comforting. I feel safer here.

Liam brushes my back again, and my stomach swoops.

May Day May Day, not safe. Formulate an exit plan now.

My eyes land on a green exit sign near the far wall, next to the bathroom. It would be so easy to run… but for some reason, I follow the hostess into the dining room.

Two feet in, I spot my opportunity. A woman’s phone is lying on the table while she leans into the man on her right, whispering into his ear.

I adjust my trajectory appropriately, and as we walk past the table; I swipe the phone and stick it in my pocket.

I smile at the hostess as she seats us away from the couple. I’ve got a phone and a gun. What more does a woman need ?

Liam must have been here before because he orders for both of us without looking at the menu. I’m ravenous and don’t try to interject. I’d eat anything at this point.

The waitress takes our order back and Liam turns on me.

“Someone’s happy.” Liam stares at me, inspecting me to discern the reason for my sudden mood change.

I force my lips into a frown. “I haven’t eaten in forever.”

He grabs his glass of water, bringing it to his lips but doesn’t take a drink. “I was thinking it had something to do with the phone you stole.”

My smile disappears. “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

He leans forward in his seat, his gaze trapping mine. “I’m a thief, Cruz. If there’s an opportunity in sight, I’ll find it. And I’d like to point out that I, the world-famous art thief, passed on the phone, while you, the dutiful agent, stole it. So… who’s the bad guy here?”

How dare he point out truths right now. “First of all, that’s very presumptuous of you to assume you’ve accumulated worldwide fame. Second, you kidnapped me . And stole my phone. I’m doing what anyone would do while being held hostage by a psychopath.”

“First of all”—he mimics my tone, holding up one finger—“I saved your life. That man wouldn’t have let you go. It’s not my fault your phone got lost in the process. And second, if you were my hostage, I think I’d keep you locked in my room instead of letting you wander around with a gun in your waistband. If you wanted to escape me, you could have. So my question is, Cruz, what’s keeping you here?”

I hate all the words coming out of his mouth, because he’s right. I could have tried harder to get rid of him a hundred times. But I stayed. For some stupid reason, I believe there’s something here for me. An opportunity to prove myself to my country, my team. Agent Ford.

Chills cover my arms, and I rub them for warmth.

“I’m here to ensure you get what you deserve.”

He leans forward, eyes alight. “And what do I deserve? After two days with me, what do you find me guilty of? ”

“Kidnapping.”

“I saved you.”

“You…” Why can’t I think of anything else? For all his wrongs, he’s somehow made them right. He gave a homeless family a home, left money at the boutique, and saved me from people trying to kill us.

“Yes?” he asks, leaning even closer, eagerly.

“You… lie.”

“Hardly a crime.”

I roll my eyes. “With the way you lie, it should be.”

“The way I do it?”

“You know, your flirting, making poor women think you’re in love with them with just one word. Throwing around counterfeit compliments like candy.”

He sits back, his curious eyes calculating. “You’re jealous.”

I bark out a laugh. “I’m observant. And I’ve watched you manipulate too many people to not call you on it.”

He taps his fingers on the table, drawing out the moment. “Words are our greatest weapons, Cruz. I choose to wield kindness with mine and you”—he picks up his steak knife just to point it at me—“tend to wield, well, threats.”

“Kindness?” I raise a brow. “You expect me to believe your compliments are sincere? What about when you told that woman you ‘adored her brooch’? It was an evil-eyed raccoon.”

His lips twitch. “Yes, but it was special to her, special enough to wear proudly, and that kind of confidence, I do adore.”

I… don’t know how to argue with that. There are layers to Liam. Layers that are confusing, but not repulsive. And the lack of repulsion is… more repulsing.

“All my compliments are sincere, love, especially for you.”

My heart kicks up a notch, like a bomb getting ready to detonate. Time to cut the red wire.

Thankfully, our food is served, and I offer it my full attention as I stuff my face with divine pasta and garlic bread. We don’t utter another word as we eat. I can tell he’s tempting me, wanting me to call him on his bluff, but I won’t give him the satisfaction. I eat as quickly and unladylike as I can to fill my empty stomach.

“I need to run to the restroom,” I say after I finish the last bite of food.

“I’m sure you do. Make sure you take the phone.” Liam tips his glass of wine toward me.

I toss my cloth napkin on the table and practically run to the restroom. Why is he letting me go? He can’t possibly trust me. After I make this phone call, he’s a dead man. So why is he allowing me to do it?

I shake my head. Everything with him is a con, a ploy. Even when it isn’t. And I’m constantly waiting for everything to backfire and another gun to end up in my face.

When I’m in the safety of the women’s restroom, I slip the phone out. It’s not locked, thank goodness. I open the calling app and am about to type in a number when I freeze. What do I say? If I tell Agent Ford, he’ll order me to get out of here and have seven different teams on Liam before I leave the restroom. But I don’t want someone else to take this over. I can’t explain why, but I have to do this. If only to prove to Ford—to myself —that I can.

I type in Caleb’s number instead. He’s just as eager to prove himself and will help me nail Liam.

Caleb’s gruff voice answers on the first ring. “Hello?”

“Harris,” I say, relief flooding my veins.

“Cruz?” Caleb practically shouts. “Where are you?”

“I’m in London. I’ve been abducted and I—” The phone is snatched from my hand, and I whirl on Liam.

But it’s not Liam.

“Hello.” A giant greets me, and a fist flies at my face. The phone slips from my fingers, and I go down with it.