I handed him a twenty. “Keep the change.” I walked away quickly and heard him muttering something about entitled trust-fund kids. As if. I walked to the corner, stepped back against the wall, and opened the paper so I could read the article about Bradley Inc. I read it ferociously, swallowing every detail whole and letting it fill my mind. As I read it a second time to make sure I’d fully understood, my jaw dropped.
Bradley Inc. was being purchased by another corporation and last week had been the week when the information went public. The paperwork was to be signed in the upcoming days and then the merger would be complete. I didn’t understand all the intricacies of the article, but everything in me was telling me that this was why I’d been taken to that island. Mattias wanted to make sure that I wasn’t around to ruin the merger. However, why had he let me come back before the merger was complete? It didn’t make any sense. Unless he knew that it was too late for me to stop the merger. Or if he cared about me more than he cared about the merger. I wanted to slap myself for my last thought. Wishful thinking, Bianca.
I pulled out my phone again and tried to call Larry. Unfortunately the call went to voice mail again. I’d call him again tomorrow, but for now I needed to go home. I needed a good night’s sleep, and I needed to digest everything that had happened the last couple of weeks.
I decided to walk back to my apartment instead of taking a cab. I still hadn’t counted how much cash I’d been given, and I didn’t want to spend it all before I had a chance to figure out whether I still had a job, or what else had changed in my absence. I had just reached my door when my phone rang.
I answered quickly, expecting to hear Larry’s voice. “Hello?”
“Bianca.” It was Jakob, his tone soft and silky. I was immediately transported back to the island and his arms.
“What are you doing?”
“How are you?”
“I’m sure you already know. You’ve been following me.”
“What?” His tone changed.
“I got the text message saying it wasn’t over.”
“What text message?”
“Don’t play dumb.” I opened the bag and was glad to see my keys in there.
“Bianca, what did the text message say?”
“Why should I tell you what you already know?” I looked behind me as I opened the door to my building and hurried in, running up the stairs as quickly as I could. I heard him sighing as I ran, but I didn’t say anything.
“I trust you found your apartment as you left it?”
“Why are you calling me?” I snapped.
“Bianca, listen to me. I’m not the bad guy here.”
“You didn’t kidnap me?”
“I did.” His voice was hoarse.
“And you didn’t know I am Bianca London, daughter of—”
“I knew who you are,” he cut me off. “Listen to me, Bianca, there are things that you don’t know.”
“I know that. Neither you or David have to tell me that again.”
“You spoke to David?” His voice was short and I could tell from his tone that that upset him. Why would he care if I spoke to David?
“Yes.”
“Listen to me, Bianca. David cannot be trusted.”
“Uh-huh.”
“He’s not your friend.”
“And you are?”
“Bianca, do you remember on the island I told you I would never let anything happen to you? You have to trust me.”
“You made a mistake letting me go. The merger’s not complete.”
“The merger’s not complete?” He repeated my words softly. “What?”
“The paperwork hasn’t been signed yet. I can still make sure it doesn’t go through.”
“The merger with Bradley Inc.?” He spoke slowly, his voice furious. “You know about that?”
“Yup, you made a mistake. It hasn’t been finalized. I read the newspaper today.”
“Fuck! It shouldn’t have been in the paper. It was meant to be private until it all went through. He lied.”
“Who lied?”
“Bianca, listen to me. Do not trust David. Please do not do anything. I’m coming back. I’m coming to see you. You’re not safe.”
“That’s what David said as well.” I opened the door to my apartment and walked in slowly, my head thudding.
“Bianca, listen to me.”
“No,” I said weakly. “I don’t trust you.”
“Bianca, I miss you. You have to trust me. I let you go as you asked. I made a—”
“Good-bye, Mattias.” I hung up quickly and closed the door behind me and leaned back. My eyes felt heavy with unshed tears and I took a deep breath. Why had Jakob called me? And if he hadn’t texted me, who had? I walked into my apartment and looked around. Everything looked just as I’d left it. I sank down into the couch and held a cushion to me. What was I going to do?
I had no idea. Tears fell from my eyes and dropped onto the cushion as I sat there. Then I remembered the envelope in my bag. I ripped it open and pulled out a letter—it was from Jakob. I stared at it for a few seconds and then sat back before reading it.
What we had was beautiful. I’m sorry I broke your trust. We were both there for a reason. I never went to take advantage of you. The feelings I had for you were real. The reasons I took you there were valid. You’re right to be afraid. I don’t control everything. You do not know everything. I will fight for the truth. My whole life has been building up to this moment. I cannot let you change that.