Grandpa Henry looks at Hadley, his eyes narrowing. “This is the guy who turned on Serena?”
“Yep. Have at him.”
Chapter 38
Serena
I’m getting tired ofbeing drugged and kidnapped. This time, when I open my eyes, everything rushes to the front of my brain, like a migraine.
I was betrayed by one of my own. I feel that cut deep into my heart, my soul.
I glance around, trying to determine my location. I’m lying sideways on the cold cement, my arms tied behind my back. There’s a dresser of some sort in front of me, blocking the rest of the room from my view and trapping me in four square feet. There are no windows, and I don’t see anyone, but I can feel someone else’s presence. The soft sounds of breathing and feet shuffling… It’s significantly more terrifying.
I push my leg out and struggle to sit up. Ford peers over the dresser, a wicked gleam in his eyes.
Anger blazes over my skin. “I can’t believe you, you lousy piece of—”
“Now now, no need to say something you’ll regret,” he says, his lips curling up in the corners.
“Why did you do this?”
He sits on top of the dresser, lazily dangling his legs off the side like he’s got all the time in the world, but he doesn’t. The second I get this tie off my wrists,his breaths are numbered. “Why why why? Those are the questions, aren’t they? Don’t worry, Cruz. It will all make sense soon.”
If that’s true, that means things are about to get much worse. I’d rather not wait around to find out what’s in store. My thoughts race, trying to come up with something believable to get out of here. “Fine. I’ll go with you. We can holiday around the countryside drinking wine.”
“Yeah, about that.” Ford rubs his chin, his smile growing with each second. “I was playing you, sweetheart. It makes sense you can’t spot an act, since you’re a terrible actress. Always wearing your secrets on your face. You’re too trusting.”
I’veneverconsidered that my problem. “You don’t know anything about me.”
He shrugs. “I didn’t. Not until Liam Hawthorne returned to the States two months ago.”
That doesn’t make any sense. Liam didn’t know who I was, either. “What do you mean?”
“I was contacted by a man who wanted something from Liam, so I stuck you guys on him. The man had access to our feeds and watched the whole time. That’s when he sawyou. Seraphina Costa.” Ford rolls the name around on his lips like he enjoys it. “It took some time, but I got into your confidential file and confirmed it. Maybe you’re a better actress than I gave you credit for, since you fooled us all. Then the plan changed. Liam andyou.”
“I wasn’t trying to fool anyone. I was running for my life.” He clearly doesn’t know what he’s dealing with here.Whohe’s dealing with. “These are dangerous people, Ford. They’ll kill me, and then they’ll kill you. Whatever they promised, they won’t give you.”
“You underestimate me.” Ford tsks. He slides off the dresser and crouches by me. “The funny part is no one else cared that Liam was in the States. I made you believe it was a big deal. I had you eating out of the palm of my hand.” His index finger runs over my bottom lip, and I attempt to bite it, but he pulls it back in time. “Naughty. Where were you months ago? We could have had so much fun.”
“You’re afilthy scumbag,” I spit.
He snatches my chin, holding it tight. “Try that again, Cruz—”
“Hands off her,” a deep, accented voice bellows through the room—a voice that sends shivers down my spine and momentarily paralyzes me.
Sebastian Sanchez appears over the top of the dresser like a figment of my nightmares. I didn’t get a good look at him last night, it was too dark. But he’s still broad-shouldered and handsome, though there’s more gray in his dark hair than I remember. His dark eyes haven’t changed one bit. “If anyone gets to touch her, it’s me.”
I clench my fists; I won’t let him get to me.What would Liam do?
Well, that is not something I ever imagined thinking.
I look into the eyes of my old flame turned enemy. “No offense, but I’d rather take my chances with Ford.”
“You’d eat him alive.” Sebastian chuckles.
Ford looks between the two of us, confused. Then he stands, taking a large step away from me.
“I’m sure he’d survive. Unlike you.” My voice is filled with equal parts venom and sweetness.
