Page 95 of Taken With Trouble

I cast my eyes to Serena. She’s doing her best to remain in control of her emotions. She’s a good agent, but I’ve known her tells for as long as I’ve known her. She’s terrified. And it’s hurting her to see me hurt. It’s time to stop talking.

Sebastian shoves me into a chair. “If I were you, I’d sit down and shut up. The Boss has even less patience than I do.”

“OohThe Boss,” I mimic his tone. “I’m shaking in my loafers.”

From behind me, someone else enters the conversation. “That’s what you used to do.”

This voice shifts the world on its axis. This voice takes the air from my lungs and the beat from my heart.

I turn toward the door. “Dad?”

Chapter 42

Serena

I was about readyto slap Liam a few minutes ago when he wouldn’t stop taunting Sebastian. But maybe I was whacked on the head a few too many times as well, because I swear Liam just called the very intimidating man who I assume is The Boss… his dad. That can’t be right. I would have recognized him.

But… I never met his father in all the years I knew Liam. I don’t think I even saw a picture. Family was the last thing Liam and I ever talked about.

The man has straight silver hair and a rigid, shaved smooth jaw. The only thing they appear to have in common is the blue of their eyes and the ever-present charming smirk. “Son.”

“What’s going on?” I’m not sure if the words come from my mouth or Liam’s.

I also can’t decide if this is good news or really bad news. Judging by Liam’s scowl, it’s the latter.

‘The Boss’ sits on the red sofa, unbuttoning his suit coat. A memory flicks to life from that night. He was younger, but he had been one of the two men in the shadows calling the shots. I hadn’t recognized him, but I’m sure there’s enough footage to arrest him.

“This is who I am.” Liam’s dad grins, arms outstretched.

“A psychopathic murderer?” Liam asks. “No wonder I turned out so bad.”

“Agreed.” His father sits forward. “You are a disappointment.”

“Here we go again.” Liam sighs.

The Boss narrows his eyes. “You imbecile. I told Sebastian to let you go, and you still come back.”

“I’m nothing if not persistent,” Liam says.

“It was that quality I thought I could use to get you to become like me.”

Liam scoffs. “You were the last thing I wanted to be. Still are.”

The Boss’s cheek twitches, but he forces a breath and relaxes into his seat, propping one foot over his other knee. “That’s why I had Scarlett seek you out.”

Liam’s head jerks. “Come again?”

“She started working for me just before she headed to the States. I knew you couldn’t resist a pretty face. I thought with her influence you’d become great, but you always had your head in a computer or wrapped up in some art project and didn’t care as much to get your hands dirty.”

“I’m sorry.” Liam shakes his head. “You’re spouting nonsense. I don’t speak idiot.”

The Boss seethes, dropping both feet to the floor and leaning over his knees. “I’ve built the biggest drug smuggling empire in all of Europe. You had all the talent to join me, but not even a woman pretending to love you could give you the passion to follow in my footsteps.”

“Let me get this straight, even in my teenage acts of rebellion, I actually becamemorelike you?” He rubs the back of his neck. “I’m going to need some serious therapy.”

I think over Liam’s life, and I can see it. Liam was interested in the arts. His father only wanted to use it to smuggle drugs. That made Liam risky.

“You were untrained and impulsive. Scarlett was supposed to rein you in, turn you into a man.”