Disillusioned (Swept Away, #2)(19)

Who is this?

Who do you think?

Jakob?

Leave the restaurant now.

Why?

“Is everything okay?” David frowned at me and I looked up with a brief smile.

“Yeah, Rosie’s texting me.”

“Oh?” He cocked his head to the side. “I’m sure she’s not happy to know you’re dining with me.”

“She always trusted you.” I looked back down at the phone. “I’m sure she’s not worried.”

Bianca, what are you hoping to get from dinner with my brother?

What I didn’t get before. I typed furiously, annoyed that Jakob thought he could tell me what to do. Then I paused. How did he know I was here?

Don’t you dare sleep with him.

I’ll do what I want, Mattias.

You’re playing into his hands.

Better his hands than yours.

You don’t understand everything.

What don’t I understand? I waited for a few seconds and then messaged again. How did you know I was at dinner with him?

There are many things I know.

Are you going to tell me what they are?

You don’t understand the web you’re in, Bianca.

I might not understand it, but I know you’re the black widow.

It’s easy to identify a black widow, and, yes, they can be more dangerous. However, the real danger lies with the brown recluse.

What does that mean?

Brown recluses are harder to identify and they leave a more permanent mark.

So which one are you?

“Bianca”—David’s green eyes were full of concern—“is everything okay? You’re typing away.”

“I’m fine. I’m just thinking.” Why was Jakob warning me away from his brother, and why was David trying to convince me that Jakob wanted to harm me if they were both in this together?

“Thinking about what?”

“Nothing.” I closed my bag and vowed to myself not to check my phone. I couldn’t spend any more time texting Jakob when I had David right in front of me.

“You seem preoccupied.”

“I’m fine. Well, as fine as I can be.”

“You’ve had a major shock. I’m just sorry it was my brother who did this to you. I knew Mattias was slightly crazy, but I didn’t think he would ever do anything like this.”

“I don’t really understand why I was kidnapped.” I sipped some water. “I feel like I’ve been saying that a lot lately.” I gave him a pointed look.

“Oh? To whom?”

“Well, Rosie and you and . . .” I sighed. “It doesn’t matter.”

“Whatever I can do to help you, Bianca, you just let me know.”

“So are you excited about the merger?” I changed the subject as a waiter approached the table. He was young and cute and I didn’t want to freak him out by letting him overhear a kidnapping conversation.

“You know I’m not really interested in that business stuff.” David shrugged. “I get my check each month from the trust and that’s good enough for me.”

“Must be nice.”

“Well, Mattias works hard so I don’t have to.” David made a face. “Sorry, I guess that was ill-timed.”

“What I want to know is, who was signing the paperwork for this merger while Mattias and I were on the island?” Maybe that person was the reason why Steve had turned rogue.

“Maybe the COO or the attorneys?” David looked at me with a blank face and then turned to the waiter. “We’ll have the soft-shell crab to start and the eggplant-Parm salad.” David looked at me. “Did you see any other appetizers you wanted to try?”

“No, that’s fine.” I shook my head.

“Okay.” He looked back at the waiter. “And a bottle of Bollinger.”

“Yes, sir.” The waiter grinned at the order of expensive champagne.

“I’m not drinking tonight, David.”

“We must celebrate your safe return.”

It was a safe return, no thanks to you, no matter what you’re trying to convince me of, David. “I don’t want to drink.”

“One sip won’t hurt you.” His eyes danced as the waiter walked away. “I won’t let you get into any trouble tonight.”

“I don’t think I got into any trouble the other night. Not of my own doing.” I’m not going to sleep with you, if that’s what you’re hoping for.

“The important thing is, you’re safe now. There’s no one that’s going to get past me tonight.”

Let it all come out, David. Why don’t you ask me to come stay the night in your bed, so you can protect me as well. “Doesn’t that make me feel safe?” I said sarcastically, studying his features dispassionately. Why had I been so mesmerized before with David? I’d gotten to the point where I’d even questioned my “investigation,” but now I just found him annoying and condescending. And he wasn’t helpful either. He’d never been helpful to me. He was just a lazy bum who lived off the family money. He would never tell me what I needed to know about Mattias or the company, not when that would endanger his own share of the income.

“So what are you going to do now?” He looked at me curiously. “Any plans for revenge?”