But as I stood in his arms and thought back to his gentle lovemaking and tender caresses, I began to doubt that he would ever want to harm me. If he was here to kill me, why would he admit that he knew Bridgette? Why would he have been kidnapped as well? Why would Steve be the one handing me a note on the same paper as the other notes I’d received? It didn’t add up. It had to be Steve who was trying to play mind games and manipulate me. His plan was working, because he was making me begin to doubt Jakob.
“Don’t be scared, my love.” Jakob whispered into my ear as he caressed my back. “I won’t let Steve harm you.” My heart jumped at his endearment, and I looked up into his eyes. They were so sincere and full of emotion that I wondered how I could have doubted him for a second.
“Steve tried to warn me about you,” I whispered against his lips as he moved in to kiss me. His face twisted, and he looked into my eyes questioningly. “He gave me a note,” I whispered frantically. “It was like the other notes.”
“What do you mean?” His eyes narrowed.
“It was on the same paper and while, I’m not positive, I think the same person wrote all of the notes and tried to change their handwriting slightly.”
“What did it say?”
“It said to be careful of you. It said that I should run away from you.”
“He’s trying to split us up.” He frowned. “He’s trying to divide and conquer.” He grabbed my hands tightly and took a deep breath. “I’m not trying to hurt you, Bianca. I promise. I’m just trying to get the truth.”
“I know.” I nodded. “I know.”
“I wish things were different.” He groaned and ran his hands through his tousled hair. “This was a mistake. I need to get to the bottom of what is happening.”
“You’ll be careful, won’t you?” I whispered, suddenly feeling terrified. I wanted to get to the bottom of everything that was happening as well, but I didn’t want to get hurt. I wanted to close my eyes and transport myself back to my apartment. I shuddered then as I realized that was a lie. I no longer felt safe at my own apartment either.
“Just get me that knife.” His voice was ominous, and my heart stilled for a moment. The man in front of me was no longer my gentle lover; he was now a terrifying hulk.
“I’m going to go into the jungle,” he whispered. “I’ll stand at the outskirts, but you can tell him I’ve gone to the shack. That will give him a sense of false security.”
“Do you think he’ll believe me?”
“He will if you tell him that I left something there. Tell him that I went to look for something to skin the boar with.”
“You said you were going to use rocks.”
“Tell him the rocks I found didn’t work.”
“Okay.” I bit my lower lip. “And then what?”
“And then you get the knife.”
“How will I get the knife?”
“He keeps it in his back pocket. That’s why he hasn’t taken his pants off. You’ll have to find a way to grab it from him. Maybe pretend to fall into him and grab it that way.”
“That sounds like something a pickpocket would do.”
“That’s what you’re trying to do.” He grabbed my hands and stared at me intently. “You have to be careful, Bianca. You have to be very careful. If he suspects anything . . .”
“I’ll be careful.” I nodded. “I’ll get the knife.” I swallowed hard as another thought hit me. “Do you think he has a gun as well?” I thought back to the loud bang we’d heard at the waterfall.
“I think he has something, but I don’t think it’s a gun. If he had a gun, I think he would have pulled it on me a long time ago.” His voice lowered. “I’ll be watching as best I can.” He held me close to him. “Call out if you need me.”
“I don’t know if I can do this.” I felt my eyes growing heavy as I held on to his arms. My voice trembled, and I looked down to the ground in embarrassment.
“Then you don’t have to do it.” He shook his head. “I won’t make you do it if you’re too scared.” He brought my face to his chest and stroked my hair. “I can take care of you, Bianca. I won’t put you in danger.” Something in his tone gave me the strength I needed, and I pulled away from him.
“I’m sorry. I can try.” I swallowed and pushed my shoulders back. “I’ve always been a more passive person, but I’m trying to be stronger.” And this was all for my dad. This whole situation was to find out what had happened to my mother. I couldn’t allow fear to bring me down.
“Funny, that’s what my mom taught me too.” He gave me a wry smile. “Yet both of them seemed to take it and accept it.”
I nodded without saying a word, and we just stared at each other. I watched as Steve came out of the ocean, and something in me snapped.
“Get away from me!” I pushed Jakob away and screamed. “You liar! Get away from me!”
“What?” He grabbed for me, and I reached over and slapped him hard. I beat my fists against his chest and shook my head like a crazy woman.
“You’ll pay for this!” I screamed, and leaned forward. “Run to the jungle.” My eyes implored him as I whispered hurriedly. “I’m going to get the knife.”
He nodded his understanding and stepped back. “I’ll be back once you calm down,” he said loudly.
“Leave me alone!” I screamed, and ran toward Steve.
“Are you okay?” Steve’s eyes were wide as he approached me. His expression looked eager and satisfied, and I knew that he had bought my little shouting act.
“I confronted him about the note,” I told him, feigning outrage.
“You told him?” He grabbed my arms. “Why did you do that? He’s going to be mad.”
“I need to know the truth. I need to know why he’s been terrorizing me.”
“He’s never going to tell you the truth, you stupid girl.” Steve’s voice changed, and he looked angry.
“Can I have a drink?” I reached my hand out, hoping he would hand me the flask without even thinking about it. “I really need one right now.”
“Sure.” He reached into his pocket and pulled it out. My eyes immediately fell to the bottom of the flask, and that’s when I realized that the stainless steel at the bottom wasn’t completely flush. Steve froze as he realized what I was staring at.