Page 96 of Taken With Trouble

We must not be looking at the same person. Where I sit, Liam is the only real man here.

“Me?” Liam scoffs. “I reined Scarlett in. And leave her out of this. She had nothing to do with this.”

“That’s where you’re wrong. She hadeverythingto do with this.”

“No,” Liam says, but for the first time today, he shuts his mouth and stops arguing.

The Boss pours himself a cup of brandy. “She was so eager to learn. I sent her after that first box when it appeared in Atlanta. She was supposed to bring it to me, so we could retrieve the evidence and follow the treasure, but she got distracted by the allure of her fame instead.”

I sneak a peek at Liam to see how he’s taking this. His jaw is clenched, and he’s shaking his head, but otherwise, he’s silent.

“So, I sent Sawyer to retrieve it, but even he failed. Then you got involved, so I decided to wait and see if you’d do what I wanted. But according to Sawyer, the box was lost.” He shrugs. “I could only wait—and patience has never been my strong suit. Then lo and behold, Sebastian foundher.” The Boss’s eyes swivel to mine for the first time since entering the room. “The very woman who had been the cause of all of this.”

Liam shakes his head, seeming to have found his voice. “Serena did nothing wrong. She’s the only good one in this room.”

I’d be flattered but the competition is pretty pathetic. With the exception of Liam.

The Boss grins wider, glancing between the two of us. He heard it, the care in Liam’s voice. And he plans to use it.

“Give me the Spartan box,” The Boss says to Sebastian who immediately stands, offering him the box.

Instead of pulling out a key, he grabs a hammer he apparently had sitting beneath the coffee table.

“Don’t you dare destroy Davy Crockett’s time capsule,” Liam shouts, and despite myself, I bite back a laugh.

“Get your head out of the clouds boy. Art is only good for one thing—transporting more valuable currency. Miss Seraphina knows that.” His steely gaze turns on me.

My back stiffens.

The Boss brings the hammer up and smashes it down on the box. Liam and I flinch as we watch him repeatedly hit the jewel-encrusted metal before he gets it open enough to shake out the cell phone.

“This is the evidence I’ve spent years searching for?” The Boss barks out a laugh, holding up the flip phone like it’s a foreign object. “It will be so grainy it will hardly be convincing. Is this the only copy?”

“Yes.” I’ve allowed my eyes to glaze over, my emotions as well, so my lie doesn’t falter coming off my lips.

“I don’t believe you. Ford!” he calls, and that sad excuse for an agent runs forward to do his bidding. “Did you take care of her partner as well?”

My heart drops to my stomach. What did he do to Caleb?

“I’m, uh, on it, sir.”

“He’s fine,” Liam whispers as Ford rushes from the room.

The Boss sighs dramatically. “It’s so hard to find good help these days. Who else did you show?”

“Only Liam,” I say, honestly.

“I don’t believe you. But I suppose it doesn’t matter, since anyone who stumbles upon that video will never be able to make sense of it. I’ve wasted years hunting this down when all I needed to do was get rid of the only eyewitness.” He pulls a gun out, aiming it at my head. I don’t flinch. I don’t move. I can’t. I’m mentally and physically numb.

“Don’t touch her.” Liam jumps from his chair and is in front of me in a second.

“Pipe down, son. Chivalry is dead. And make no mistake, I’ll put a bullet through you to get to her.”

“Does Mum know about your side business?” Liam asks.

The Boss scoffs. “I give her enough money and men to spend her time with. She never bats an eye. Now, move. I’m done with this game.”

“Sir,” Sebastian interrupts.