Taken With Trouble (CAUGHT IN CHAOS #2)

39. Chapter 38

Chapter 38

Serena

I’m getting tired of being drugged and kidnapped. This time, when I open my eyes, everything rushes to the front of my brain, like a migraine.

I was betrayed by one of my own. I feel that cut deep into my heart, my soul.

I glance around, trying to determine my location. I’m lying sideways on the cold cement, my arms tied behind my back. There’s a dresser of some sort in front of me, blocking the rest of the room from my view and trapping me in four square feet. There are no windows, and I don’t see anyone, but I can feel someone else’s presence. The soft sounds of breathing and feet shuffling… It’s significantly more terrifying.

I push my leg out and struggle to sit up. Ford peers over the dresser, a wicked gleam in his eyes.

Anger blazes over my skin. “I can’t believe you, you lousy piece of—”

“Now now, no need to say something you’ll regret,” he says, his lips curling up in the corners.

“Why did you do this?”

He sits on top of the dresser, lazily dangling his legs off the side like he’s got all the time in the world, but he doesn’t. The second I get this tie off my wrists, his breaths are numbered. “Why why why? Those are the questions, aren’t they? Don’t worry, Cruz. It will all make sense soon.”

If that’s true, that means things are about to get much worse. I’d rather not wait around to find out what’s in store. My thoughts race, trying to come up with something believable to get out of here. “Fine. I’ll go with you. We can holiday around the countryside drinking wine.”

“Yeah, about that.” Ford rubs his chin, his smile growing with each second. “I was playing you, sweetheart. It makes sense you can’t spot an act, since you’re a terrible actress. Always wearing your secrets on your face. You’re too trusting.”

I’ve never considered that my problem. “You don’t know anything about me.”

He shrugs. “I didn’t. Not until Liam Hawthorne returned to the States two months ago.”

That doesn’t make any sense. Liam didn’t know who I was, either. “What do you mean?”

“I was contacted by a man who wanted something from Liam, so I stuck you guys on him. The man had access to our feeds and watched the whole time. That’s when he saw you . Seraphina Costa.” Ford rolls the name around on his lips like he enjoys it. “It took some time, but I got into your confidential file and confirmed it. Maybe you’re a better actress than I gave you credit for, since you fooled us all. Then the plan changed. Liam and you .”

“I wasn’t trying to fool anyone. I was running for my life.” He clearly doesn’t know what he’s dealing with here. Who he’s dealing with. “These are dangerous people, Ford. They’ll kill me, and then they’ll kill you. Whatever they promised, they won’t give you.”

“You underestimate me.” Ford tsks. He slides off the dresser and crouches by me. “The funny part is no one else cared that Liam was in the States. I made you believe it was a big deal. I had you eating out of the palm of my hand.” His index finger runs over my bottom lip, and I attempt to bite it, but he pulls it back in time. “Naughty. Where were you months ago? We could have had so much fun.”

“You’re a filthy scumbag,” I spit.

He snatches my chin, holding it tight. “Try that again, Cruz—”

“Hands off her,” a deep, accented voice bellows through the room—a voice that sends shivers down my spine and momentarily paralyzes me.

Sebastian Sanchez appears over the top of the dresser like a figment of my nightmares. I didn’t get a good look at him last night, it was too dark. But he’s still broad-shouldered and handsome, though there’s more gray in his dark hair than I remember. His dark eyes haven’t changed one bit. “If anyone gets to touch her, it’s me.”

I clench my fists; I won’t let him get to me. What would Liam do?

Well, that is not something I ever imagined thinking.

I look into the eyes of my old flame turned enemy. “No offense, but I’d rather take my chances with Ford.”

“You’d eat him alive.” Sebastian chuckles.

Ford looks between the two of us, confused. Then he stands, taking a large step away from me.

“I’m sure he’d survive. Unlike you.” My voice is filled with equal parts venom and sweetness.

Sebastian grins wider, rubbing his palms together. “Little Seraphina has come out to play.” He looks at Ford. “Cut her free. I’m going to enjoy this.”

Ford hesitates before walking toward me. I set my jaw, refusing to plead with him again. He’s made his choice, and he’ll get what’s coming to him. He helps me up, more gently than I expected, and cuts my wrists free.

I rub my arms, shaking them out as adrenaline courses through my veins. For the last seven years, every round of fighting, every hour spent training has been for this moment. I knew that someday it would come, and when it did, I would be ready.

I’m stronger now than I was then, in so many ways.

Sebastian takes his time, rolling his sleeves to his elbows. I used to love how manly he was, his strength, and sophistication. But those things can be faked. He’s just a bully.

I study his frame. The definition is still there, but he’s forty now. Will that help me or not ?

“I’ve missed our little rows,” he says, his dark eyes dropping to my mouth, likely remembering how our little ‘rows’ used to end. He grew up boxing and taught me how to fight, and each time I perfected a move to his liking, he’d reward me with a kiss. How young and stupid I was. How na?ve.

“I didn’t miss you at all.”

“Always brutally honest.” He steps around me, and I match his step but in the opposite direction. “Which begs the question, do you love him?”

I glance at Ford. “Not one bit.”

He slips his phone out of his hand and holds it up. A picture of me and Liam appears. It was when we first got to Paris, on our way to the Winthrops the first day. “Him.”

“I dislike him more than you.”

“I don’t believe you, but perhaps you could prove it.” His eyes drop to my lips again.

“In your dreams.” I kick him right in the crotch.

He grunts, doubling over. “That was a cheap shot, doll.”

“Don’t call me doll.” I kick at him again but he snatches my leg and pulls it up with him.

“I’ll call you whatever I want.” He digs his fingers into my thigh and yanks my body into his. “Because now you’re mine.”

“I’m not yours. I will never be.” I spit in his face, then slam my fist into his chest. It bounces off like I hit a rock wall. My knuckles scream in pain, but I pretend it doesn’t hurt.

He snatches my hand and pins it behind me. “You will if it’s your only choice.”

“I’ll never choose you,” I grunt under his rough grip as I struggle to free myself.

“We’ll see about that.” He drops his hold on me and shoves me into Agent Ford, who thankfully catches me. “Come. It’s time to meet The Boss.”