Page 45 of Taken With Trouble

When she’s silent again, it’s like the air has been permanently changed around us. No longer are we only enemies. Maybe, just maybe, we are destined for more.

After I park in the storage unit, I remember the letter. I flick on the light, not caring if Serena sees. Which is bad, right? I shouldn’t keep showing her things, showing her me, but something inside me yearns to share my life with her—yearns to not be alone.

But she’s not looking as I rip the seal.

The blood turns to ice in my veins. This is my grandfather’s stationery, but not his handwriting.

Liam,

If you want to see your precious grandfather again, you and the girl will bring Scarlett Winthrop’s box to me at the Lang Gala this Wednesday. Leave it beneath the spiral staircase at exactly 9:30, and then your grandfather will be returned to you.

Work fast. The old man’s not looking so good.

My heart seems to be both beating out of control and not beating at all. My grandfather has been taken—the one person in this world I truly consider family. The man who kept me safe every summer from my father’s ire, and his right hook that broke my jaw and three of my ribs.

“Are you okay?” Serena asks.

I crumple the paper, shoving it into my pocket. I don’t respond as I hop out of the car and lock up the storage unit, my mind running a million miles an hour. The faster I walk, the faster my thoughts come, but still, I try to outpace them.

I’m so stupid. I came into the country and ruined his security. He doesn’t deserve to pay for my actions.

Who took him?

The letter wasn’t signed. Surely it can’t be the Winthrops; they would never do something this rash. Besides, they barely knew about the box. It’s the ring they want. Who else would know or care about Scarlett’s possessions?

Someone close to them? Or someone close enough to Scarlett to know I have it?

Could it be Vincent Sawyer? Did he get out? That’s not possible. I would have been informed by one of the many alerts on my system regarding him.

It must be someone working for the Winthrops. Someone who knows the box is connected to a treasure and wants to have it for themselves. I need to get to the Winthrops, convince them to call off the bounty, and figure out who is behind this. And when I find them…

I kick a rock out of my way, cursing as I do so.

But what if it’s not someone connected to the Winthrops? It could be someone I’ve wronged. Someone trying to get back at me.

That particular list of candidates is a bit staggering.

I practically run the three blocks back to the apartment, but Cruz keeps pace.

Once we are safely inside, I go straight to my computer.

“Liam,” Cruz says.

I ignore her. This was all a fun little game, but now that game is over. She can leave; she can call the authorities. I won’t hold her here against her will. She deserves better, just like my grandfather. Why must everyone around me pay for my actions?

“Liam,” she says louder this time, and I look up. “What’s going on?”

“Nothing.”

Her brows furrow, but instead of the fury I’m used to seeing in her eyes, there’s something akin to pity. It’s much worse. “I can tell it’s not nothing. There’s something in that note. Tell me; I can help.”

I scoff. “You help me? That’s hilarious.”

“Icanbe helpful.” She stomps over. “Give me the note.”

“No.” I turn to the computer.

“I’ll take it from you.”