Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

32. Chapter 31

Chapter 31

Serena

Two hours and a plan later, Caleb no longer looks shell-shocked and confused but is the focused agent I know and admire as we prepare to execute our plan. Probably because he blocked his girlfriend for the day, so he wouldn’t be distracted. I considered telling him that was a terrible idea, but I’ll let him figure it out for himself. The woman tends to show up where she isn’t wanted, and we don’t need that. Not today.

Caleb has done everything I’ve said. He has told no one where or who I am, but I know we’ll have to fill Agent Ford in when he gets here. I shudder at the thought. I’ve discussed my past too much for one day. Agent Ford’s plane won’t land for four more hours, which means I still have time.

“Are you sure we shouldn’t contact the embassy and request assistance?” Caleb asks. He’s nervous about our plan, if his bouncing leg is any clue. I get it. What we are about to do is not entirely legal, but the item we are nabbing was mine to begin with, so it should be fine.

“I’m sure,” I say. The video of the shootings hadn’t included only criminals. There were two other men there behind Sebastian, almost hidden in the shadows, calling shots. I didn’t recognize the one, but after becoming an agent and doing some digging, I learned the other had ties to this embassy .

Caleb leans in his seat where we’ve settled in across the street from the museum. We’re sitting at a corner café with sunglasses on, pretending to eat the croissants we ordered while we wait. I’m in my comfort clothing, all black, my hair pulled up beneath a ball cap and sunglasses. I don’t know if the disguise is enough, and each moment that passes, I pray Sebastian isn’t near.

“I still can’t believe you knew Liam and never told me,” Caleb says, sipping at his espresso.

“Mistakes were made.”

“Do you have feelings for him?”

“Don’t say stupid things.”

“I’m just curious. Because even though the man kidnapped you and put you in a coffin, you’ve been defending him a lot.”

My chair suddenly feels extremely uncomfortable. I really have been defending him, haven’t I? I’ll have to tone that down. We may have promised not to keep anything from each other anymore, but how I feel for Liam is one secret I can’t admit. Caleb hates Liam even more than I did and will not hesitate to drag me to the States before I have a chance to see Liam’s grandfather.

“We grew up together,” I say simply, letting him assume what he wants from that. Neither confirm nor deny. Not yet.

“Okay,” he says in condescending way, like he’s placating me.

I look away, grateful my sunglasses prevent him from seeing the truth in my eyes.

“I’m trying to protect you from falling for a criminal,” Caleb says.

“I don’t need your protection, rookie. And let’s get one thing clear, the only one stupid enough to fall for a mark is you.”

He shakes his head before downing the rest of his espresso. “It’s good to have you back, partner.” His smile slips, his lips set in a firm line. “Thanks for trusting me enough to call.”

I surprised even myself with that one. Trust doesn’t come easily, but there’s something innately good about Caleb. I raise my glass in a salute to him. “Don’t make me regret it.”

He checks his phone, and he swallows. “It’s time. ”

I lower my cup to the table and stand. I take Caleb’s arm, and we pretend to be a lovesick couple touring a historic city. There’s an equal amount of excitement and fear running through my veins, but I charge ahead, prepared to do something I should have done years ago.

I wish Liam were here. Not because I want him here or anything, but because he’s a great thief, and we might need a thief if something goes wrong. That’s the only reason.

Okay, it’s not the only reason. I don’t like the fragile feeling in the air whenever he’s gone, like something is about to shatter.

Something like my heart. What if he’s been captured… or worse, killed?

As we walk by a painting of a loving couple, I don’t think about Liam at all. And when I see another painting of a man bleeding to death, I don’t worry about whatever might have happened to him when he went searching for his grandfather. And when I see a statue of a woman, crying all alone, I don’t think of how he chose his grandfather over me. But he had to. He didn’t have a choice. I’d be mad if he didn’t choose his grandfather over me.

All these newfound feelings are wild.

“Darling, these paintings are beautiful,” Caleb says, wrapping an arm around my waist and leaning closer. “What now?”

We’ve reached our spot. How did it happen so fast? The display case containing everything I need sits four feet from me.

My pulse picks up speed, and I glance around, confirming my exits just as a woman with a short brown bob and a gray pantsuit enters the room. To anyone else she looks like a patron of the arts, but I know who she really is. Eve—the woman who was more of a mother to me than I ever had.

Tears burn the backs of my eyes, but I force them away. Will she recognize me ?

She started her shift twenty minutes ago, and this is always her third rotation. She spends ten minutes in each room. Then moves on to the next one, pretending to be enthralled by art in all its forms. But what most don’t know is she’s one of the curators, observing not only the art, but the people who enjoy it. It has inspired many of her own paintings she does under a different name because she doesn’t like attention. And her art is amazing. I’ve always wondered why she continues to work here instead of painting full-time. Was it only her duty to me? Does she hate me for it?

Eve walks to where we stand at the display, examining it. “Such a beautiful piece,” I muse. “Do you know who donated it?”

Her eyes lock on mine with curiosity. She doesn’t recognize me. Yet.

“I do believe there is a record somewhere. Shall we find out?”

I scoot closer. “I was wondering if I might get a closer look at this piece. I believe it’s what’s on the inside that I’m looking for.”

Her eyes dart between mine, and it takes nearly a full minute of searching my face before understanding dawns. Her eyes well with tears, but she clears her throat, remaining professional. “Let me see what I can do.” She turns and walks out of the room.

Caleb sighs and clutches his chest.

I chuckle. “Stressed or something?”

“Or something,” he grumbles. “Between you and Amelia, I fear I’ll die of a heart attack before I’m forty.”

“What’s that? Two more years?” I tease.

He rolls his eyes. “You’re older than me, Grandma.”

I slug him in the shoulder. “Don’t forget taller.”

Eve appears in the hallway. She talks to the other security guard who clears the rest of the room before shutting the door, leaving the three of us inside.

“Seraphina?” she whispers. Tears still linger in her eyes, and I long to hug my friend. But her safety is at risk as well. “I worried you’d never come back.”

“I didn’t know myself.”

“If you’re here, that means you need…” Her voice trails off, and I nod .

She steps up to the display, nodding as well. “I couldn’t get all the cameras off,” she says pointedly, as she types a code into the back of the case. “But I’ve kept it safe.”

“Thank you. I-I don’t know what to say.”

“Say you’re safe,” she whispers.

I swallow. “I will be.”

And then the lights go out.