Page 106 of Playing My Rivals

“Where are you?” She’s panicked and crying.

“At a takeout place. Why? What happened?” I scan the area and spot a bench outside of the restaurant.

“Hunter knows everything.” She coughs through a few sobs. “I made a mistake by telling him in person.”

“Jesus Christ.” I pick up my pace to get outside. “Did he hurt you?”

If he’s laid a hand on her, I’ll kill him.

She sounds horrible. She can’t even speak. I can only hear mumbles through her wailing.

My hands shake and sweat. “Dori! Tell me what he did to you.”

“He didn’t do anything to me, but he’s after you.”

“Promise me he didn’t touch you.” I get to the bench and use it to stabilize myself.

“I promise. He says he’s going to kill you and I think he means it.” She snorts as she sobs.

“Fuck. Okay. Well, I’m nowhere near home, so it’ll take him a while to find me. Unless he’s having me followed, too.”

“He’s having…you followed?” she asks through shaky breaths.

“No. I don’t know. That’s not the point. Tell me what happened.” I sit on the bench and bend over my legs.

I told her she shouldn’t tell him alone, but she insisted I give her the space to do it her way. Now we’re dealing with this, and I’m not there to make sure she’s safe.

“He invited me to dinner at his place. He knew something wasn’t right the second I got there, so he drilled me until I told him everything.”

“Jesus, Dori. You told me you would tell him by phone and not in person. I knew he’d lose his shit.” I wipe a sweaty palm down my pants.

“He did more than that. I’ve never seen him like that. I think—” Sob, wail, bawl. “—he might kill you.”

I shoot up and I’m off the bench and sprinting to my car. I don’t give two fucks if I run into him. She needs my protection now.

“You said he didn’t hurt you. Where the fuck are you?”

“He didn’t touch me. This is about you. He’s in a rage.” She gasps for air.

“Where are you?”

“In his apartment,” she whispers.

And that does me in. I can’t see straight. My knees wobble and trip up my run. I keep going on pure adrenaline.

I’m out of my skin with terror. “Are you out of your mind? Get out of there right now.”

“I’m leaving, but I had to get a hold of you and warn you before I left.”

“You are not to hang up until I get to you. Go to Melanie’s.”

I don’t care how much we still have to work out. Dori’s my world now and I’ll do anything to keep her safe. Even if it means Hunter kills me in the process.

“What am I supposed to tell Melanie?” An elevator chimes in the background.

“The truth. She needs to understand how serious this is. Don’t leave her in the dark or you two won’t be prepared if he shows up.” I yank my car door open and jump inside.

“I’m in the elevator. The call is going to drop.” Before Dori can say another word, the call fails.

---