Page 106 of Taken With Trouble

He nods. “They were coming for you, Cruz, but I knew you were innocent. I had to intervene. I didn’t even know who Ford was, but that must have been his plan—to take us both. When he attacked you, I figured he was just a hitman.”

I shake my head. “I can’t believe that.”

His lips twitch. “You can’t believe I saved you by putting you in a coffin?”

“If you ever put me in a coffin alive again, I will shave your head.”

“Your threats are getting less psychotic.” He drops a kiss on my forehead. “I’m so proud of you, love.”

I take a deep breath. It’s going to take me a while to come to terms with all that happened. But for right now, I know everything I need to. Liam is a good guy.

“So…” Liam whispers. “The cuffs aren’t necessary?”

I pick up his arms and drape them over my shoulders. “Oh, they definitely are.”

He grins as he moves in. “Finally,” he whispers against my lips. “I’ve been waiting forever for this.”

“You’re so dramatic.”

“It’s one of my charms.”

“One, huh? You think quite highly of yourself.”

“Just wait till we find that treasure, love.”

“This again.” I try to pull back, but his arms are still around me. “I told you it doesn’t exist.”

“Care to place a wager on it?”

“You’re on.” I press a kiss to his lips, relishing the feel of him, the taste of him.

“You two have been over there a long time,” Henry calls from the couch and Liam and I break apart with a laugh. “Is she my official granddaughter yet?”

I undo the cuffs, and Liam laughs as he pulls me into the room, swinging my hand lazily. “I tried. She said no.”

“I did not! You never asked, you just assumed. Also, you just got shot.” I sit on the couch between my two favorite men. “You can’t make life-changing decisions after something like that.”

“Actually, I think that’s the best time to do it,” Henry says, patting my leg. “What do you say?”

“Hey, stop stealing my moves, old man,” Liam chuckles, patting my other leg and glancing up at me. “I have a feeling Serena will tell me when she’s ready to marry me. Or maybe she’ll propose to me.” His eyes dance, and I shake my head.

“What was this about a treasure?” Henry asks Liam. “Besides the one sitting next to us?”

“You two are intolerable.” I laugh. But I’ve never been so happy.

“Oh, just wait, Grandpa. This is going to be good…”

Epilogue

Serena

Location: Phoenix AZ

Six months later

The FBI was lenient with Liam.Muchtoo lenient. He got six months of house arrest, then a year of being an informant with none other than Agent Harris as his handler. Though, that’s where the leniency came to an abrupt end. Caleb was irate when the director told him and plans to make Liam’s life a nightmare.

Liam has much more delusional aspirations for their partnership: friendship.