Page 51 of Taken With Trouble

I clear my throat. “Do you have access to the guest list?”

He types something, and a document pops up on the screen. I scan the row of over a hundred names. My blood turns to ice in my veins.Sebastian Sanchez.

I swallow the lump in my throat and continue to read the names, convincing myself it’s fine. It’s been years, and I’ve changed. He won’t recognize me. But what if he does? I pinch my eyes closed. I don’t have a choice. I’m not going to let someone from my past get in the way of saving Liam’s grandfather.

“Looking for more criminals to lock up when this is through?” Liam asks. “Or are you looking to fall in love?”

I don’t bother answering either question.

“Are you all right?” Liam asks.

No. But I swallow the remaining fear, convincing myself it will be fine. “Yep.”

“Okay. Let’s practice.”

I lift a brow. “Practice cliff jumping?” That’s just the kind of distraction I could go for right now.

“The dancing.”

That’s what I feared.

Chapter 19

Liam

Serena wasn’t lying whenshe said she couldn’t dance. I might have better luck teaching a duck with how stiff she is in my arms. We aren’t even dancing yet. Barely swaying, getting a feel for the music. She’s been watching her feet so diligently to make sure she doesn’t trip that she’s stepped on me at least seven times. Her hands, or rather claws, are squeezing me so hard I’m going to have bruises.

The song changes to a waltz. Not that we’ll be attempting that.

“Let’s try something different.”

“Thank goodness.” She retracts her talons from my skin and places herself halfway across the room, studying the map on the table again. I go to my room and grab a tie—A cheap silk one I won’t mind getting ruined. I walk behind her and wrap it around her face.

Serena grabs the tie with both hands, spins, and has my arms locked up in seconds.

My bad. I forgot I need to warn this woman when I approach her.

“What are you doing?” She scowls. “Trying to choke me?”

I try to wriggle my arms free, but she’s got it held tight. “I was going to use a blindfold to teach you how to dance.”

“No. I don’t trust you.”

“That’s precisely the problem. You’re trying to lead instead of letting me.” I finally get my arm free and rub the sore spot.

She holds the tie between her hands. “That seems the smartest course of action, considering.”

I sigh. “None of this will work if you don’t trust me, Serena. And Ineedthis to work.”

Something in my tone must get through to her, because her face incrementally softens. But she’s far from convinced.

“I’ll offer you a trade,” I suggest.

“A trade?”

“Wear this blindfold for one dance, and I’ll let you ask me as many questions as you want. I promise, I’ll give you the truth.”

Her eyes dart away from mine. “Maybe I don’t care to know your secrets.”