Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

23. Chapter 22

Chapter 22

Liam

No no no. This was not the plan. Anxiety claws at my chest. But instead of giving in to its defeating grip, I take a breath. It’s okay. I can adapt. I’ll make a new plan. The power just went out. No big deal. Something bad isn’t about to happen.

No matter how many times I tell myself this, the knot in my stomach only grows. Something bad already happened. This was the plan.

I pat my satchel, ensuring the jewelry box is still in place.

People around me are using their phone lights to see, and I yank mine out. My night vision glasses are of little use right now.

“Serena?” I aim the light in her direction.

But she’s gone.

She was just right here.

Someone took her. The realization hits me like a freight train.

My blood pumps faster. I should have listened and got her out the second she realized this was a trap. First my grandfather, now her. When will I stop putting the people around me in danger ?

I shine my light over the ballroom, but it’s useless. Hundreds of other flashlights are moving around like crazy, turning the place into a raging club. I can’t see anything.

I curse, then turn, instinctively heading for the back exit—the one they would use.

I’m so focused on finding Serena I don’t see the man until it’s too late. Something sharp hits my neck, and my body goes numb.

This just went from bad to worse.

The first thing I register when I come to is that I’m on a boat. The dark tossing cabin attests to that. The second thing is that my satchel is gone. I’ve lost the one thing that could get my grandfather back. I pinch my eyes closed, willing this to be a dream. But when I reopen them, my fate remains the same.

Wait… there’s something familiar about this boat. I blink, trying to place it. Toolboxes, some fishing equipment, a surfboard, and…a life ring with the initials LH.

This is my boat. Those imbeciles pilfered my yacht! How dare they!

I’m in the storage room I’ve barely stepped foot in for years. Which means it’s also useless to me right now.

I never hid a weapon down here. Obvious oversight.

My hands and feet are tied together so tight my fingers and toes are numb.

I wiggle around, trying to locate a way out or a knife of any kind and accidentally kick a stray can. Whoever is in charge of cleaning this place is getting a pay cut.

“Liam?” A voice finds me in the dark.

“Serena?” My heart rises and falls simultaneously. She’s here. But she shouldn’t be. I force myself to breathe and focus on finding her. “Where are you? ”

“Over here,” she says, a barely discernible wobble to her voice. Serena doesn’t get scared; she doesn’t cry, and that tiny wobble sends my heart lurching toward her. To protect her, to take this nightmare away. This is all my fault.

“Keep talking, I’ll find you,” I say, scooting toward the sound of her voice.

“I’m tied to this pole. Go around the big box looking thing.”

“It’s a generator.”

“How do you know?” I don’t answer and she must put two and two together. “This is your boat?”

“Technically, it’s a yacht.”

She chuckles… Or is it a cry? I move faster.

Every movement makes the rope dig tighter into my wrists, but I don’t stop. I wiggle and squirm until I see her. A square of moonlight hits her face, lighting her beautiful frame marred by her wild hair and a streak of lipstick across her cheek. Her dress is so ripped it’s barely hanging onto her shoulders and the slit is nearly to her hip.

“Did they hurt you?” I growl, finally making it to her.

“No,” she says, her voice barely audible now, “but they will.”

“Hey.” I grab her tied hands, cradling them in mine. “I’m not going to let anything happen to you. It’s me they’re after. I’ll convince them to let you go.”

She shakes her head into my chest. “They won’t.”

“You underestimate me, darling.”

“Liam…” She looks at me, and in her eyes, I see something that terrifies me. Fear so deep and wounded I can feel it in my soul. “They’re here for me.”

I shake my head. “I don’t understand.”

“It’s too late,” she whispers. Her breaths come faster, and I’m pretty sure she’s on the verge of hyperventilating or having a panic attack.

“Hey…” I place her tied hands on my chest so she can focus on my heartbeat instead of her own. “Deep breaths. In and out.”

She complies, drawing in a ragged breath, holding it, then letting it out. She repeats the cycle .

“Good girl.” I raise my tied hands, cupping her chin and cheeks. “I’ll keep you safe, Serena, I promise. Don’t you doubt me, darling.” Before I can think better of it, I lean over and press a kiss to her forehead.

“I think you’re forgetting our current predicament,” she says, her voice nearing hopelessness. But all things considered, I wouldn’t say the situation is that dire. “We’re tied up in the bottom of a boat, in the middle of the ocean, kidnapped by men with guns.”

“And that slit is so bloody high,” I mutter.

She blinks up at me.

“What? I thought we were saying things that were killing us.”

A soft smile threatens to break through. “So, Mr. Extensive Plans. How do we get out of this, and do you have any idea where we’re heading?”

Out of the small window, I see a shore in the distance. I’m not certain but it almost looks like Hastings. We’re still in the English Channel. That simply could not be more ideal. I figured they were taking us to France, but they only circled the UK.

“Do you still have that knife in your dress?”

“I do.” She tries to grab it, but her hands are bound too tight.

“May I?” I ask.

She nods and I reach for the zipper. It’s an awkward angle, but I manage to get the delicate zipper down enough to grab the handle of the knife.

“Give me your hands.”

She holds out her wrists, and I saw through the rope. It’s thick and slow going and the impending dock draws nearer. I’m going to have to make a choice.

“Listen to me. When we get a little closer, you’re going to jump. You’re going to go west. I have a contact—”

“Liam, stop. What are you talking about?”

“We don’t have enough time. And you need to get out of here.”

“But they want me, not you.”

I give her a half smile as I free her hands. “Oh Cruz, not everything is about you. Maybe they just want the treasure.” I try to lighten the ominous mood and go to work on the rope at her feet .

“Liam, I’m serious.” She shakes her head adamantly. “What if they kill you?”

I stop, just long enough to make sure her brown eyes are focused on me. “A worthy cause to die for.”

“Shut up. I’m not. And you know it. Leave. Vanish like you always do.”

I grab her face. “I’m starting to believe no one ever told you how special you are.” I press a soft, lingering kiss to her lips in case this is the last one. Then pull away. “And I do believe I’ve been trying to tell you I’m reformed. Dare I say, a gentleman.”

“Then get free and come with me.”

“I’ll stay, search the yacht for my grandfather then follow you.” The yacht slows as it moves into the no-wake zone, and I talk whether she wants me to or not. There’s no time. “You’re going to go left out this door. Take an immediate right, then left. It will take you to the back of the yacht. When you get to land, there’s a yellow cottage on the corner of Lambeth and Cove. West side of the town. A man named Terry lives there. You tell him you ‘traveled through Vail with a bottle of Bordeaux.’ Got it? Say it just like that.”

Her movements are shaky as she nods. “I got it.”

I get the rope off her feet and nudge her up. “Let me cut your dress. You can’t swim with it dragging you down. Swim north. Use backstreets only.”

She doesn’t hesitate and stands as I work quickly, sawing through the beloved dress. “You have to go. Now.”

“Liam, just hurry. Come with me,” she pleads.

“Don’t worry about me, love. I’ve got a plan.”

She heads to the stairs but turns to look at me over her shoulder. “I’ll come back for you.”

I give her a soft smile. “Don’t.”

And then she’s gone.

Hmm. I expected her to argue a bit more.