Page 6 of Taken With Trouble

The brute snorts and cocks the trigger, letting it speak for him.

“All right,” I drawl. “Tell me where you’re taking me so I can pack accordingly. I’d hate to be the only one not wearing Versace.”

“You won’t need Versace in Hell,” he sneers.

“Quite the contrary, I believe.”

“Our plane leaves in an hour. We need to go.”

I can’t help it. “Do you really think I’ll be caught dead flying commercial?”

“Oh, you’ll be dead, all right.” He chuckles. “Boss rented you a coffin.”

A coffin? Is he serious? While that wouldn’t be ideal, it is quite creative. Robert was always such a clever fellow. I’ve missed him.

“I hope it’s fully lined. I get airsick,” I say, stretching my arms wide, and then I shoot him with the taser. It’s surprisingly effective… or maybe that’s because I hit his groin. Oops.

His body convulses, and he yelps in pain, collapsing to the floor beside Cruz. I think he’s trying to curse, but the sounds coming from his mouth are unintelligible. Every inch of his skin is bright red, and purple veins protrude from his neck and face.

How long am I supposed to leave this on?

I glance at the little device. Where’s the off switch?

Ah, there it is. I flick off the taser, and the thug’s head hits the coffee table leg. I grimace as he falls unconscious, and hold up the small weapon, admiring its work. I need to get one of these.

I frisk the man, grabbing everything from his pockets, and find a burner phone. There’s an email with the flight info… for an actual coffin. He wasn’t joking. I shake my head. People will be waiting on the ground in London, which means I’ll have to have the coffin rerouted to a different destination. France should be an easy switch.

I continue my search but find no identification. That could have been useful. I suppose I’ll have to activate one of my lesser-known aliases.

I feel like being Devin Sharp today.

I grab my go-bag from under the couch, stick Serena’s gun inside and retrieve the rest of my weapons, then head for the door.

Wait.

Cruz. Ishouldleave her here. But what if the brute wakes first and takes her hostage? She’s a sitting duck. I’m not the kind of man to leave a woman in danger. But should I bring herwithme?

Taking her would make everything worse.

Or… it could make things incredibly more fun.

I drum my fingers on my hip. Decisions.

I suppose she could be useful. I pick her up and throw her over my shoulder.

Chapter 3

Srena

Pain radiates through myskull like a boxer is using my brain as a mini punching bag. What happened? How did he find me? I thought I was finally safe—

My eyes fly open. WhereamI? It’s so dark I can’t see anything.

The last thing I remember is… Liam. He got awayagain? No!

I bolt upright and smack my head into a wall. A wall above me? I reach around, feeling walls on either side covered in silky smooth cushions. Where am I? I push hard against the ceiling above me and it creaks open, like a coffin.

Wait.