Page 74 of Taken With Trouble

“All they know is that I was adopted and wanted to change my name.” I chew on my bottom lip, still struggling with the lies I covered up years ago. I worried I didn’t have enough evidence to bring against Sebastian, and decided to look into things on my own, and build up the proof. My partner at the time saw what I was doing and warned me not to get involved. But he saw how obsessed I was and agreed to help. He was searching for one of Sebastian’s U.S. hideouts for me when he was shot.

Igot him killed.

So, I ran again. I asked for a transfer and hid in Arizona.

“And this is the first time Sebastian has caused a problem?” Caleb asks, pulling from me from my past guilts. “How did he find you? Recognize you?”

“I’m not exactly sure. I can only assume Liam’s grandfather gave me up. He was like a grandfather to me as well.”

“His grandfather was… You knew Liam before…” Caleb shakes his head and gives me a look all parents give their children when they’re in trouble. “We’re going to have to have a discussion on lying to our partners.”

I cock my head to the side. “Sure, do you want to start? What have you been hiding from me?”

He pointedly looks at his phone. I’ll get to the bottom ofthatlater.

Caleb drops his head back with a sigh. “This is bad.”

“You think I don’t know?” My voice breaks, and tears threaten to spill.

Caleb leans across the coffee table, holding my gaze intently. “But we’re going to fix it.”

“I don’t know if it can be fixed.”

“We’re going to try our best. I’ll call Ford.”

My heartbeat kicks up a notch. “Wait!” I say, just as Caleb hits the call button. “Don’t tell him who I really am, please.”

Caleb gives me a nod that says he understands my fears, but he’ll insist I tell Ford sooner or later. “Chief,” Caleb says into the phone. “I found Agent Cruz.”

Special Agent Ford says something, and the next thing I know Caleb is aiming a camera at my face. Ford’s kind and handsome face fills the other screen, and his eyes immediately skim over me as if checking for injuries.

“Agent Cruz.” Ford sighs like a weight has been lifted off his chest. “Are you okay?”

I glance down at the men’s clothes I’m currently sporting and rub the rope burns on my wrists. “I’m okay.”

His eyes linger on me intently. “I’ll grab Hadley, and we’ll be on our way. I want to know everything when I land.”

“Yes, sir.”

Ford tells Caleb the location of a local safe house and then the call ends. I feel simultaneously relieved and on edge.

I did the right thing. I’m sure of it.

Will Liam think so?

I take a deep breath. He left to deal with things on his own terms. This is how I operate. One way or another, we’ll get his grandfather back.

Chapter 30

Liam

Leaving Serena was abad idea.

No, it was a good idea.

Or was it bad? Hours later, I still can’t decide. I don’t even have a plan. The only thought in my brain was keeping her safe, which meant getting rid of Sebastian myself.

I have a theory. I found zero evidence my grandfather was on the boat, so maybe, just maybe, they don’t have him.