Maybe there was a Mattias, a third man. It would make sense. Maybe Jakob’s new devotion, his supposed “openness,” was still a part of the plan. Were David and Jakob in on this together? Could Mattias be, not Tyler Durden, but Verbal Kint from The Usual Suspects? “The greatest trick the devil ever pulled was convincing the world he didn’t exist.”

“Remember, Bianca, David knew from the beginning who you were and what you were up to. He planned every single detail he was going to let slip. Every thing he said and did was cleverly masterminded.”

“Were you the one on the phone with David that night?” I asked Jakob softly. “Were you the one telling him what to do? If you’re saying that David couldn’t have done all this other stuff by himself, how did he come up with everything by himself?”

“Bianca.” Jakob frowned. “Let’s talk when we get to my place.”

“What don’t I know, Jakob?”

“There are things we both don’t know.” He walked into the bedroom and grabbed my duffel bag. “Is there anything else you need?”

“Does Mattias Bradley exist, Jakob?” I walked over to him and grabbed his chin. He blinked down at me, his eyes revealing nothing. “Does Mattias Bradley exist, Jakob?”

“What are you talking about?” He frowned. “We already told you there is no Mattias Bradley.”

“Who else is in on this?” I glared at him. “It still doesn’t add up. Who is David working with?”

“That’s what you and I are trying to figure out.”

“David has to know.” I glared at him. “Why didn’t we question him? He has to know.”

“David is being used as a pawn, Bianca.”

“What?”

“David doesn’t know what’s going on.” Jakob grabbed my shoulders and led me to the front door. “Just trust me. We need to leave.”

“You know more than you’re saying, don’t you?”

“There is more.” He nodded. “We can’t talk about it here.”

“Tell me.”

“Not now, Bianca,” he growled, and opened the door. “Let’s go.”

“I hate you!” I said, glaring daggers at him. “You just can’t be honest, can you? Is everything a lie with you?”

“Bianca, I admit that David and I planned the kidnapping. He wanted you out of town because he was worried you would try and claim a share in the company before the merger, and I wanted to figure out what you knew about our parents. I don’t know exactly what I thought was going to happen. However, things didn’t go as planned. Someone else wanted us to kidnap you. Someone else wanted you to be scared. And I’m not going to let you out of my sight until I know who that someone else is, do you understand me?”

“But you lied to me, Jakob.” My throat felt itchy. “It’s hard to trust you fully, knowing that. It’s hard for me to take anything that you say at face value now.”

“I didn’t lie when I said I think I’m falling in love with you.” He stroked my hair back gently. “I didn’t lie then.”

“My friend Blake, the guy I told you I was meeting, he’s investigating Steve.” I stared at Jakob’s face to see his reaction. “He knows everything that’s happened. He knows who you are.”

“Is he more than a friend?” Jakob’s eyes narrowed and a hint of jealousy was in his tone.

“No, not at all.”

“Good.” He smiled suddenly. “I don’t mind if he helps, then.”

“Really?” I was confused.

“I want to know what happened with Steve as badly as you do. If he can help us with more information, that’s great. Especially if there is nothing romantic between you.”

I rolled my eyes, secretly pleased that he was jealous.

“I believe you, but, of course, I’ll have to come with you when you meet him.” Jakob’s eyes narrowed. “So that I can hear the information he provides at the same time.”

“Uh-huh.”

“Don’t uh-huh me.” He kissed me softly.

“I’ll uh-huh you if I want to.” I kissed him back.

“So we’re good?” He leaned back, his expression more serious as he examined my face. “We trust each other now? We’re working together now?”

I stared back at him for a few minutes, neither of us talking, just observing. He grabbed my hands and held them in his. I could feel his pulse racing and the tension in his body. His shoulders were stiff and his eyes were alert as he waited for my answer.

I went with my gut. “I do trust you. Let’s figure this out.”

“We’re starting afresh now.” He stroked my cheek tenderly, a wide smile on his face. “We’ve got this.”

“I sure hope so,” I whispered to myself as we made our way down the stairs.

God must have been smiling on Jakob. For some reason, his car was still parked in the loading zone with no clamp or ticket. We got into the car in silence, the warm, fuzzy feeling of sex in the shower long gone.

“You’re going to be silent all the way?” He glanced at me as he started his car.

“What do I have to say?” I shrugged. “I’m still taking everything in. You’re the one who needs to start talking.”

“You’re so stubborn.” He sighed. “Of all the women in the world . . .”