Page 114 of Playing My Rivals

“Get yourself together, Jamison. You’ll want to have all your senses in a minute.”

He comes closer to me like he wants to crawl over the table and kill me with his bare hands. “You’ve been toying with me since I got here, so spit it out. What’s your angle?”

He’s so enraged by me, and I love it. I can almost taste his blood on my tongue.

“You look down your nose at me like I’m the bad guy, but you’re no better than me. If you remember, we used to be friends. That changed when you put your sights on my girlfriend.

“It’s unfortunate because I’m not ruthless until I’m pushed too far. As your experience tonight will teach you, you’ve gone further than I can accept. I’m done being nice. I can take care of her in ways you can’t.”

“You don’t know what she needs.” His eyes narrow. “When she figures out who you really are, she’ll leave and never look back.”

I cock a brow. “Funny you should say that. I’m thinking the same thing about you.”

Kill shot. Locked and loaded. Ready to fire.

With my fingertip, I slide the unnoticed envelope that’s been sitting on the table beside me toward him.

He stares at it, knowing something tragic is about to happen. “What is this?”

“A present I put together for you. It’s taken a few days to perfect, but I’m sure it’ll pay off in the end.” I gesture for him to open it with a jut of my chin.

The contents slide out when he does. His face drains of color and his entire persona shrinks to the size of an ant.

“The first picture is my favorite. You really nailed the pose.” I lick my lips and taste his blood. “About our mutual agreement.”

His eyes snap to mine. “Fuck the agreement.”

I waggle my finger. “Now, now, Jamison. Don’t be a sore loser. We had a wager, remember?”

“Terms.” He breathes deeply as he’s surely ripping me apart in his mind.

“Dorothy thinks she can make amends with you. For some reason, it means a lot to her for us to get along. In public, we’ll do just that. We’ll be friends when she’s around and share a bottle of my finest bourbon when we invite you over to visit.”

“Not a chance in hell will I visit you two together.”

“According to our agreement, you will if she asks. If you want to continue seeing her outside of work, it’s the only way you will. When she gets you in private, you’ll tell her you lost interest in her after that night and would rather cut ties.”

I lean closer to him. “I suggest talking about how she told you she had feelings for both of us and ended it with you when you returned from Denver. It makes the most sense. Once Dorothy and I are married, our agreement will terminate. We can go back to being enemies.”

“And if I don’t accept the terms?” His eyes scream with rage.

“You’ll accept the terms. You know the house always wins. If you want to test that theory, be warned. I know all your secrets, Jamison. All those messy little topics we discussed tonight and the contents in that envelope will come to fruition.”

I push my chair back. “I have a feeling the topic of Aricin will be of particular interest to Dorothy. If that’s not enough for you, I’ll find a way to get your contract terminated and all payments we’ve made retracted. I’ve done it before, so I know it can be done. I won’t stop until it is.”

“Fuck you, Hunter.”

Trigger pulled. Bullet fired. Affirmative. Target is dead.

“No thanks. I’d rather not. If you’ll excuse me, it’s time I go. Dorothy will be waiting for me.” I rise to my feet. “Oh, I almost forgot. Please give my best to your girlfriend, Lauren. Or should I say your fiancée?”

CHAPTER 27

DORI

Tears press on the back of my eyes. I’m going to have to face the music sooner or later. I just need more time.

“You can’t get around this, Dori. What makes you think you can?” Melanie squeezes through two tables and points to an open booth.

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