Page 58 of Taken With Trouble

“Everyone is staring at me,” I hiss. “They know.”

He stops and turns his body into mine, brushing his hand over my cheek. “They are staring because you are the most beautiful woman they’ve ever seen.”

“They’re judging me with their eyes.”

His lips tip in a half smile. “They areenvyingyou with their eyes.”

I swallow and shake my head. His hand falls from my face.

“What do you do before an important mission?” he asks, suddenly serious.

“Uh…” My mind is utterly blank. WhatdoI do? “I shoot fifty rounds at a target.”

His neck twitches. “Well, that’s good to know. What else?”

“Usually spar.”

“Why didn’t you tell me that before we left?” He mutters a curse. “Wasted opportunity.”

Despite myself, I smile, and he smiles right back.

“There’s always next time,” he says. “Now, what do you do right before you break down those doors?”

“There aren’t always doors.”

“I’m talking hypothetically.”

“I don’t know. I guess I try to clear my mind of everything except for the goal.”

“Okay, let’s breathe.” He takes a breath, and I copy him, holding it in for as long as he does if only to win a game we aren’t playing but are always engaged in. “Let it out. This time, close your eyes and clear your mind while you breathe.”

I do as he says again, unsure why. I take another breath, and when I let it out, I also let out all the fear, all the unknown, forcing my mind to focus on only one thing: saving Liam’s grandfather.

“You’re a brilliant federal agent,” he whispers in my ear, sending chills and confidence coursing down my spine. “A sexy assassin who can kill a man with one look. I’m already on the verge of a heart attack.”

A little dramatic, but oddly helpful. I nod, opening my eyes. “You’re right, I’ve got this.”

“There’s my girl.” He holds out his arm, and I place my hand on the crook of his elbow, allowing him to lead me. This time I don’t look at the people staring. I hold my head high and walk forward.

We reach the top of the steps and walk through the doors into the grand ballroom. There are gold chandeliers hanging from the ornately carved wooden ceiling. The walls are a deep burgundy red lined with paintings that should be in museums. The spiral staircase is located in the northeast corner. The whole scene is breathtaking, but I don’t allow myself to indulge. Instead, I confirm every exit, count each security guard, and study the passing faces.

People are mostly milling about and talking, but the dance floor is alive with people in beautiful dresses and tuxes swaying and waltzing.

Liam is focused, his jaw flexed, eyes hard.

Thisis why I’m scared. I don’t know this version of Liam. Though I’m prepared, there’s no telling how it will go down, simply because of the unpredictable man beside me.

“Let’s take a turn about the room and see if we can find the Winthrops,” Liam says.

“What if there are people here to kill you?” I hiss as he leads me down the stairs.

He shrugs. “They’ll do it quietly.”

“That’s not as comforting as you think.”

“All I have to do is return this ring to the Winthrops so the bounty can be called off, and then I can rescue my grandfather.”

He makes it sound like this is just a regular night, a simple misunderstanding and… I’m stupidly voting for simple. “Then let’s go find them.”

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