Page 60 of Taken With Trouble

“Good at smooth-talking them, too,” I say. I watch as Liam pulls something out of his pocket and places it in Ms. Winthrop's palm. She takes the ring, slipping it onto her finger and dissolving into a puddle of tears in Liam’s shoulder. His expression is stoic as he sways a broken-hearted mother along the dance floor.

Mr. Winthrop purses his lips and nods. “That he is. But he’s a good man.”

Does he really believe that? I shake my head and hold out a hand. “Special Agent Cruz.”

His eyes light up with recognition, and he takes my hand. “You were one of the ones who found our daughter’s killer. We knew Liam was innocent, but we hated not knowing who was truly responsible.”

I simply nod and release his hand.

“Thank you.” He drops in a small bow.

I shirk off his praise and study him. They clearly didn’t kidnap Liam’s grandfather, but we are no closer to figuring out who did. Something doesn’t add up. “May I ask, why did you put the bounty on Liam if you knew he was innocent?”

His brows furrow. “What bounty?”

I frown. “The fifty-thousand-dollar bounty.”

“Wasn’t me. If I’d put a bounty on him, I would have done it while he and Scarlett were dating,” he says with a small chuckle.

“I could have sworn…” my voice trails off as I try to remember exactly where the bounty had come from, but I can’t recall. It was told to me by S-A-C Ford whoassumedit was the Winthrops. But if they didn’t do it… that means it’s still out there, and Liam is still in danger. In more ways than one.

Ice-cold dread settles in my stomach. I have to tell Liam. Now.

I cut in as the song ends. “Excuse me. Liam?” I look at him expectantly.

“Ah.” He beams. “The other beautiful woman I promised to dance with tonight.” He kisses Ms. Winthrop’s cheeks and escorts her to her husband before returning to me.

“No, I don’t need to dance. We need to talk.”

“I believe we can multitask.” He slips a hand around my waist, reeling me in. “Though, don’t think you’re getting out of dancing with me later tonight. Our next one is at nine-twenty-seven .”

I’m well aware. He has this weird obsession with setting the breaking point for odd-numbered times. He says it seems more sporadic and less planned. I think it’s ridiculous. “We need to get out of here. This is a trap.”

“What are you talking about?” The flow of couples brings us closer to the center of the room.

“The Winthrops didn’t set that bounty, Liam. Someone else did. Someone who probably wants you dead. The same someone who may have your grandfather.”

He curses while glancing around. “I knew that was too good to hope for. Come on.” He leads me off the floor, and we round a large statue of a nude Greek god. He pulls me to a stop right behind the buttocks. His head right below it.

I can’t help it. I laugh. And what terrible timing.

He glances behind him then plants his hands on his hips, his lips twitching. “Can you be serious for even a minute?” He teases. Then turns us sideways so the buttocks is to the side of us.

“Sorry.” I bite my bottom lip.

“It’s time for plan E,” he says.

I furrow my brows. “I don’t remember a plan E?”

“You don’t? Hmm. I swear I laminated it for you.” He points to the statue. “We must engage in the beautiful French pastime of kissing.”

Thatplan.

“No, that was in case of an emergency.” I hit his shoulder. “We need to leave. Now.”

“No one’s going to make a move on us in the middle of all these people,” Liam says.

“Really? Because a crowd makes a perfect excuse in many situations.”