Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

29. Chapter 28

Chapter 28

Serena

I wake up from an old nightmare, drenched in a cold sweat and a room I don’t recognize. The events of last night slowly return, even though I will them not to. I don’t want to remember how Sebastian found and kidnapped me, whispering threats the whole way to the boat even as I fought desperately against him. I don’t want to relive running through the streets fearing for my life with every step.

The only good thing that came from last night was acknowledging a part of myself I’ve kept hidden for years. I expected Liam to hate me for hiding from him. But instead, he kissed me, promising safety and love. Each secret that fled from my lips was caught by a man willing to turn the darkest pieces of myself into light. He mended the part of my soul that was shattered long ago, and that’s worth reliving. Maybe now, Liam and I can finally, fully , work together to save his grandfather. Now that he understands why I can’t let anything happen to him. Henry wasn’t only Liam’s grandfather. He was mine, too, caring for me more than anyone else ever had. Saving me when I had no one else.

I roll over. “We should go…” My words die off when I face the empty side of the bed.

He’s gone. In his place is a cell phone and a piece of paper with a note scribbled on it. And my badge. I don’t know how he got it, but I clutch the small leather rectangle to my chest and pick up the note.

I’m sorry I left. But I have to fix this mess. I’ll get my grandfather, and solve your little problem. Then I’ll be back, so you can take me in. A deal’s a deal. Stay in this house, call your partner. I trust him.

Yours,

Liam

I drop the note to the bed.

I’m going to strangle him.

I press a hand to my forehead. I know he blames himself and wants to keep me safe, but he can’t. I’m strong and capable, despite how I fell apart last night. He doesn’t want to put me in danger, but that’s literally what I chose to do as an occupation. He can’t fix everything with just a click of a keyboard. He’s not that good.

I pull myself out of bed. I’m not letting him do this alone.

But I’m not doing it alone either.

I pick up the phone and call Caleb.

He immediately answers. “Cruz?” His voice is so hopeful it strikes my heart.

“Harris.” My voice wobbles, and I hate it. I’m stronger than this, but the events of last night have blown my heart wide open, leaving me gaping and bleeding in front of everyone I care about.

“Where are you? Are you okay?” he asks, like the overprotective big brother I never had. I don’t need his protection, but I’m grateful for it.

“I’m…” I pause. “I’m not sure where I am, just a second.” I put the phone on speaker and find the location app. “I’m in Hastings,” I say, narrowing down my exact location.

“Stay there. I’m coming to you.”

“What do you mean?”

“I’m in London. I flew straight here after you called and have been searching for you ever since. ”

He came for me? I shake my head, trying to rein in my emotions.

“Also, on a side note, I think I uncovered a pretty shady restaurant,” Caleb continues.

What has he gotten himself into over here? I rub my forehead. “Please tell me you didn’t bring your girlfriend.” That nuisance of a woman is the last person we need getting caught in the middle of yet another unfortunate situation.

“I didn’t even tell her where I was going.”

That might be worse. She might just show up.

“Send me your location,” Caleb says.

I quickly send it and wait as he types the information into his phone. “I’ll be there in a couple hours.”

“Is, uh, anyone else with you?” I ask.

“I came alone.”

I don’t know whether that makes me incredibly disappointed or relieved. Surely S-A-C Ford would have come with him to help get me back. Unless Caleb didn’t tell him. I rub my temples. “Hey Caleb, don’t tell anyone anything, okay?”

“Why? Are you in danger?”

So much. “We’ll talk when you get here.”

I could run. The past has taught me how, and it’s definitely taught me what’s necessary. But, for once. it’s time to face things head-on.

I hang up and make my way to the kitchen I vaguely remember seeing last night. The man inside the kitchen I do not remember seeing.

I freeze, ducking behind the doorway, but it’s ridiculous. The man has got to be nearing seventy and is almost as round as he is tall. He’s not a threat. He turns to me with a guileless grin and an impressive handlebar mustache.

“Good morning.” He offers me a small bow.

“Uh, hi?” I straighten, stepping through the threshold, barely restraining myself from grabbing a handful of the pastries he’s baking and shoving them in my mouth. I’m starved.

“I’m Terry. Liam left me to take care of you while he is away. He shall return soon. ”

I raise a brow. “He said that?”

“Yes, he pays me very well to take care of everything he values.”

I catch my breath on that last part. Everything he values.

“And, uh, how do you know Liam?” I ask.

“Oh, old friend.”

“I was an old friend of his once, too.” How well does this guy really know Liam?

“You don’t say.” Terry’s eyes widen. “Did he save you from drowning, too?”

He sees the shock on my face and laughs. “Liam told me all about you. I know why you’re wary, but he’s a good man.”

“I’m starting to see that.”

Terry pulls out a pan of muffins. Is he expecting someone besides me? “After he saved me, Liam learned that my wife recently died, and I had lost my home. He bought it back for me.” He motions to the little home. “He’s one of the good ones.”

Something uncomfortable digs into my heart. I was a fool to judge him so harshly for his crimes. Yes, he’s done some bad things, but he’s been trying to redeem himself ever since, and I never allowed him to. I swallow the lump in my throat and steer the conversation back to safer topics. “So now he pays you to take care of this safe house?”

“Yes, which includes you. So sit, eat. You had a long night. I told Liam not to go out on the road with those men hunting the two of you. Especially not after he’d been shot. I practically had to tie him to a chair. After he passed out, I went to look for you so he could rest.”

So many thoughts to process, but only one pressing. “He was shot?” He lied to me last night. Granted, I could barely remember my own name at that point; I was so cold and tired. But he helped me, never once complaining.

“Yeah, gnarly gash it was,” Terry says. “But don’t worry. He’ll be fine. And those men after you didn’t suspect a thing of an old man driving around at night.”

I move to the table, ready to devour a muffin when what he says registers. “You saw them? ”

He nods. “I did. But don’t worry. I drove around for the rest of the night to make sure they weren’t following me back to you.”

“Why?”

He looks at me strangely. “Why what?”

“You don’t even know me. Why would you protect me like that?” No stranger has ever been so kind.

Terry shrugs. “Because that’s what I do.” He turns to the fridge and grabs a jar of milk like it’s truly that simple.

“Thank you,” I whisper. And I mean it.