Page 1 of Playing A Risk
CHAPTER 1
DORI
This moment isstraight out of a movie from one of the most heartbreaking love stories I’ve ever seen. One where all my dreams get torn from my soul.
Starring in my own version had never been on my radar, but here I am.
Tears trail down my jaw and drip onto my sweater. My stare is still connected to the one person I never thought would hurt me like this.
Jamison Stone should’ve been someone I could trust. I believed we had a deep connection and wouldn’t keep things from one another, especially something like having a son.
“Dori…” His sorrow-filled blue eyes shut, and his broad shoulders fall slack. He lowers his head and releases a heavy sigh. “Jesus Christ, you weren’t supposed to go in there.”
Did I hear him right?
I narrow my eyes as I cock my head to the side, staying in the doorway of the nursery. My legs go numb. Hell, I’m not sure I’m in my body because I can’t feel a thing. Maybe my hearing is off too.
He lifts his head and opens his eyes. When he slowly padsdown the hallway toward me, I hold out the blue baby blanket and he stops mid-stride.
Someone pounds on the door. Jami gazes toward it and takes a few steps closer before the person knocks hard again.
A female voice makes its way through the wood. “Jamison Stone, answer this door. I didn’t come all the way over here to deal with your mood swings.”
He whips back in my direction. “Please stay up here. I’ll explain everything in a minute, but I’ve got to answer that or else she’ll cause a scene.”
Our eyes stay hooked as he makes his way to the top of the staircase. I’m not sure it’s really him in front of me. The entire scene is like a nightmare.
The woman starts pounding again, and he runs down the stairs to open the door.
He holds the door so the woman can’t come in. “What are you doing here so late?”
“You called and said we needed to talk. I’m ready now, so let me in and let’s figure this out.” Her irritated tone fills his apartment.
Before I know what I’m doing, I’m halfway down the stairs. “Let her in, Jami.”
He spins my way. “Jesus, Dori. I told you to stay up there.”
The woman pushes herself into his place, and he throws his hands in the air.
He kicks the door shut with his foot. “This is going to be fucking fantastic.”
“Who are you?” The beautiful brunette glares at me from the bottom of the stairs.
She’s the same woman from the picture upstairs. My eyes instinctively fall to her lower abdomen.
Is she Aricin’s mother?
“Lauren, she’s a guest of mine.” With flexed chest muscles, Jami moves next to her. “This is why I ask you to call before you stop by.”
Her gaze remains fixed on my hands. “What are you doing with our son’s blanket?”
Her knife-like words sink in and slash at my soul. I close my eyes and let it sink in. She’s Aricin’s mother.
How did he keep his son from me for so long?
My world shatters into thousands of tiny pieces that will never be put back together.
“Lauren, this is not a good time.” Jami’s voice raises.
