Disillusioned (Swept Away 2)

“Why? What happened?”

“I spoke to Larry, my father’s attorney. He went into hiding because he’s scared of the Bradley brothers. He thinks they’re going to kill him. I’m not sure why. And he told me . . . I have a sibling.”

“What?” Rosie sounded shocked. “But you’re an only child.”

“What if my mom really did have an affair and gave the child up?” I closed my eyes. “Oh my God, I can’t even believe I said that. What is this craziness?”

“I’m going to come and see you. Where in Riverside Park? What cross streets?”

“No, don’t come. I need to go find a locksmith so I can get my locks changed.”

“Why are you changing your locks?”

“Seems like the smartest thing to do. Too many people seem to have access to my apartment.”

“I don’t even know what to say, Bianca. It sounds like a bad dream or some sort of thriller movie.”

“Actually I feel like I’m in an episode of that new TV show Stalker. Only every week the focus is on me.”

“Mattias Bradley must really want you to keep your hands off of the family company.”

“Yeah, him or David. Or maybe even someone else.”

“Someone else?”

“I think someone else is involved. It doesn’t make sense that David and Jakob would be warning me away from each other if they were working together.”

“Well, out of the two, David seems the most trustworthy. He isn’t the one that kidnapped you.”

“Yeah, you would think that would make me trust him more, but for some reason it makes me trust him less. In fact, I think I’m going to talk to Jakob. I’m going to let him explain what happened.”

“Are you crazy? He kidnapped you.”

“And he let me go. Yeah, maybe this is part of the trap. Maybe he let me go so that I would trust him again. I don’t know if I trust him, but I do know that between him and David I trust him more.”

“Girl, that doesn’t even make sense. Let me come get you. Tell me everything Larry said and we’ll see what we can figure out together.”

“Thanks, I . . .” Beep beep. “Rosie, I have to go. I’m getting a call from the history department.”

“Oh, okay. Do you want to meet up later?”

“I’ll let you know,” I said quickly, then answered the other line. “Hello?”

“Bianca London, is that you? It’s Blake!” His voice was cheery and I couldn’t stop myself from smiling. I was surprised to hear the sound of my old friend’s voice, but oh so grateful.

“Blake, it’s so good to hear from you!”

“You too, stranger.” I could hear in his tone that he wasn’t joking. “I’ve been calling you for ages. What’s going on? I go to France for a few semesters to do some research, and when I come back, you’ve dropped out of the program and won’t return my calls.”

“Oh, Blake, it wasn’t personal. You know that, right?” I sighed. “I’m sorry I haven’t called.”

“Yeah, I kinda expect my friends to call me back, maybe that’s old-fashioned of me?”

“Don’t be a doofus.” I sighed.

“I thought you were mad because I asked you out before I went away. I didn’t mean to pressure you.”

“Blake, my dad died—and some really weird stuff has been happening.”

“Oh yeah? Weird how?”

“You wouldn’t believe me even if I told you.” I sighed again.

“I’m a history major and I just got back from France with so many ghost stories that I could put the SyFy channel out of business. Trust me, I’d believe whatever you told me.”

“How was France? And what ghost stories?” I laughed, confused by his admission.

“Lots of farmhouses in the suburbs of Paris were used to hide Jews from the Nazis. Lots of Jews and soldiers died, and, well, let’s just say their spirits haven’t quite moved on.”

“No way. Are you serious?” My jaw dropped. “You saw a ghost?”

“Let’s just say I heard a lot of stories and had one experience that has led me to say never say never.”

“Wow.”

“But enough about me. I want to hear about you and all these strange stories? Maybe I can help.”

“I don’t think so,” I said regretfully. I didn’t want to bring anyone else into my crazy life, least of all Blake. Blake was my first friend in the history program, and everything had been great until he’d made a move on me. I just hadn’t liked him that way.

“Bianca, you know I’m here if you need to chat. I’m more than just my good looks. I’ve got a brain as well.”

“Yes, that’s true.” I stared at the Hudson River in front of me and decided to go with my gut. “I do need someone to talk to, if you’re up for that. Just trust me when I say it’s a whole heap of crazy.”

“I love crazy.” He laughed. “Napoléon is my hero.”

“And I’m guessing that’s not Napoleon Dynamite.”

“Bonaparte all the way, baby.” He laughed. “But seriously, I have a bit of a break now, if you want to meet up for a coffee.”

“I’m in Riverside Park.” I stood up and started walking. “I should really be getting home, though. I need to find a locksmith to change my locks.”