Illusion (Swept Away 1)

“You thought he had a chance against me?” He raised an eyebrow at me, and I shook my head slowly as I stared at his bulging muscles.

“Not really, but he had the knife.”

“The knife did give him false confidence.”

“Did you stab him?”

“Yes.” He pulled me toward him. “I don’t want you to think about it,” he whispered against my ear. “It’s not anything I want you to imagine.”

“I heard him screaming.” I pressed my forehead against his chest. “I heard him screaming like he was dying.” I could still hear the bloodcurdling scream tingling in my ears. I wondered exactly what Jakob had done to make him scream so loudly.

“I told you that I could murder if I had to.” His voice was still hoarse as he rubbed my back. “He would have killed both of us.”

“So you killed him, then?” I asked him again, wondering if perhaps he didn’t want to tell me the truth.

“I don’t think he’s dead.” He shook his head, and his eyes gleamed. “I could have killed him though. I could have taken his life just like that.”

I shivered at his statement. How easily he talked of death. He scared and fascinated me. “But what about all the blood on your hands?”

“I stabbed him in the thigh so he couldn’t run away.” He shrugged. “There was a lot of blood.”

“It doesn’t make sense though.” My brain ached as I thought about everything that had gone down. “Why would he try to kill both of us?” I frowned and studied his face. “Everything in me tells me that this has to do with my mother’s death, yet what role do you have in it?”

“Why do you think it only has to do with your mother’s death?”

“When I went to the shack, I saw a photograph. It was of me and my parents and in the corner of the photo was another couple with a son. There was a note on the back of the photo. It alluded to my father being greedy.” I paused as I felt the need to yawn and then continued. “Steve was clearly trying to send me a message that my family is greedy. Mattias must be worried that I’m going to try to take over the family business.” I looked directly at Jakob. “The thing I don’t get though, is how are you involved in all of this?” I stopped and tried not to show him the sadness in my face. My brain hurt as I tried to think why Jakob was on the island with me. It just didn’t make sense. Even if Steve had been after me and the information I had on the Bradley family, why would someone kidnap Jakob as well?

Jakob studied my face and sighed. “Let’s go back to the beach. We can talk more there.”

“Where’s Steve’s body?”

“He’s on the beach.” He grimaced. “Don’t worry though, he won’t be able to do anything to us.”

“How do you know?”

“I’m pretty sure he’s unconscious.”

“Oh.”

“I found some other things in his pocket. Things I think you should see.”

“Oh?”

“Let’s get to the beach first.” His hands moved down, and I jumped. “It’s okay, Bianca. I’m just going to carry you.”

“You can’t.” I shook my head and yawned. “It’s too far. I’m too heavy.”

“You’re perfect, Bianca.” He kissed my forehead. “Shh.” He picked me up into his arms. “Close your eyes and rest,” he whispered in my ear as I laid my head against his chest.

“You must be tired too,” I mumbled, suddenly exhausted and unable to keep my eyes open.

“Just sleep, Bianca,” he murmured, and continued walking. “Just get some sleep.” His arms adjusted beneath me, and I felt warmed and comforted by him. As he walked slowly out of the jungle, I drifted off to sleep.

“Are you terribly sore?” he whispered in my ear as he set me gently on the ground. I slowly opened my eyes and looked around the beach. It was hard for me to believe that this tranquil spot had been the scene of a bloodbath just hours before.

“I’m okay.” I touched his shoulder. “Honestly, I’ll be fine. That’ll teach me to stop going to the gym.”

“You don’t strike me as a gym rat.”

“Thus my comment that I don’t really go.” I grinned.

“When Steve and I were fighting all I could think about was you.” Jakob sat on the ground and lifted my head onto his lap. “Every punch and kick that came my way meant nothing to me. It meant nothing because all I could think about was coming to find you and save you.”

“I’m surprised he got so many punches in.” I frowned up at him. “I’m not trying to be offensive, but he didn’t look that strong.”

“I guess appearances can be deceiving.” Jakob stroked my forehead. “Turns out Steve had a wicked right hook.”

“No way.” My eyes widened with shock. I could barely believe that puny, pale Steve had any real strength, but then I supposed he would need some sort of skills if he did this sort of thing for a living. I remembered something he’d said when we’d first met. He had talked about traveling a lot for his job and taking on different assignments. Maybe he was one of those men who people hired to take care of difficult situations, like me.

“So you think he was working for someone?” I asked Jakob, my mind racing.

“That’s what I think.” He nodded. “I found two needles in his pockets.”