Disillusioned (Swept Away, #2)(9)

My mind was running a hundred miles a minute as I realized that something still felt off. Very, very off. I didn’t know what was going on, but for some reason I knew this wasn’t the end. I made up my mind in that moment that I wasn’t going to stop my search for the truth. There were still too many unknowns, and I was going to find out exactly what was going on. I was surprised at my fervor, after everything that had happened. Maybe it was that Jakob had just let me leave, or his comments about my parents’ marriage. Maybe it was that Rosie had only called once. Maybe it was that Larry had called to talk about my father. Maybe it was everything combined. Whatever it was. I knew this wasn’t the end. I wasn’t done. I still didn’t have the truth. Yes, my heart was broken. Yes, I felt scared and unsafe. Yes, I didn’t know whom I trusted or if I could even trust my own thoughts and emotions, but I knew that I wasn’t giving up. Not now. I wasn’t about to disappear as Jakob had suggested. I was going to get to the bottom of this.

Jakob must have had a reason to kidnap me. Aside from just trying to scare me and figure out what I knew. That couldn’t have been it. My heart felt hollow as I thought about Jakob. My stomach sank as I thought about his clear blue eyes and his light kisses. I closed my eyes and thought back to my time on the island. I could almost smell the salt water and I could feel the slight sting in my eyes after swimming all day. I could remember the feel of the wind on my face as my hair hit my cheek. If I concentrated hard enough, I could feel Jakob’s lips on my skin, his fingers grabbing my waist and pulling me toward him. I could feel the heat in my stomach as his erection pushed into me. I could feel his need, his desire, his passion. My throat caught as I opened my eyes. It had all been a lie. An illusion. Jakob had never cared about me.

“I can’t get up into the middle. You have to walk. That okay?”

“That’s fine.” I pulled out my cash. “How much?”

“Fifty dollars.”

“Here you go.” I handed him three $20 bills. “Keep the change.”

“Thanks.” He grinned. “Need help with anything?”

“No.” I shook my head, grabbed my bag, and got out of the car. I slammed the door and disappeared into the crowd without another word. It felt weird to be back in the sea of tourists and natives all walking somewhere with a purpose. All going their own ways, not bothering to pay attention to those around them. What stories did these people have? Where were they from? What did they do for a living? What secrets did they hold? Why were they really here? I felt safe in the crowd of nameless and faceless people. I knew why I was here. I was here to remember what it felt like to be in a city with millions of people. Something in the sounds of beeping horns, screaming kids, and buskers was beautiful. The cacophony allowed my mind to focus on something other than the deception that had occupied my every second for the last two days.

I walked down the pedestrian mall in the center of Times Square and stared up at the bright lights surrounding me. They advertised Broadway shows, businesses, TV shows, everything and nothing. I spun around until I felt dizzy. Stopping, I looked around to see if anyone was watching, but no one was paying attention to me. It made me smile, and then I started laughing. I could do anything I wanted and no one would think it was strange—I would just be part of the makeup of the city. That was why I loved New York—anything and everything was accepted. Though that was part of the reason I hated it as well. I didn’t want to be nameless. I wanted to be noticed. I wanted . . .

My phone beeped and I grabbed it from my bag. I frowned at the text message from “unknown.” It’s not over yet, Bianca. It’s not over until everyone pays. Enjoy the bright lights. Darkness will soon be yours again, but don’t fear. I’m always here.

I dropped the phone and looked around me slowly. Was Jakob here? Who had sent the text? Was I being watched? I shivered as I bent down to pick up the phone, relieved to see that it hadn’t broken.

Who is this? I texted back, but a failure message bounced back to me right away: Sorry, this phone doesn’t accept text messages.

Frowning, I put the phone back in my bag. I walked over to the McDonald’s and took a seat against a wall. All of a sudden, the random crowds of people didn’t seem so safe anymore.

Pulling out my phone again, I called the only other person I could think of. The one person I knew had to know something.

“Bianca,” David answered on the second ring, and I almost cried out in relief.

“David, is that you?”

“Yes.” He sighed and lowered his voice. “What are you doing?”

“I’m back in New York.”

“What?” His voice dropped even lower and I could hear the shock in his voice.

“Surprised Mattias let me go?”

“Bianca, you’re not safe.” He sounded worried. “I don’t understand what’s going on.”

“What are you talking about? Why didn’t you tell me about Mattias? He kidnapped me, David. I was on a—”

“Bianca, listen to me. You need—”

“How could you do this to me? Why didn’t you tell me?” I was so emotional, I couldn’t even think straight. “I really liked you, David, and you used me. You should have—”

“Bianca, I wasn’t using you.” He sighed. “Listen to me, please. Let me help you.”