Page 75 of Playing With Secrets
We need space between us for what I’m about to drop on him. He shrugs, telling me he’s waiting to hear what I have to say.
“Here’s what I want.” I tip my chin to the ceiling as if I’m thinking about it.
I bring my stare back to him. “You stop pressuring Dori. Keep things on the up-and-up. Quit having her followed. Stop pressuring her to marry you and just step back. Tell her you want to be friends and nothing more.”
“And why would I do that?”
“Do you know who Ava got in contact with when you sent her off to Europe all those years back?” I rub my hands together like I’m about to eat some delicious pie.
My question hits him like a boulder falling from the sky.
His eyes snap with hate, but he reins it in. “We were young then, Jamison. Anyone she met or talked with isn’t any concern of mine anymore.”
“Hmm. That’s interesting. I can see why you believe they aren’t your problem anymore, but a sly comment to Gerald Dupree might change all that.”
“Meaning?”
“Imagine how a slip regarding how his son looks a lot like the Efron brothers could spur on some doubt.” I slam back my retribution in one swallow.
Hunter’s hand white-knuckles his glass. He definitelywants to kill me, so I better get on with it before he thinks he can get away with it.
“He’s the foreign relations officer on the board, correct?” I wince. “And one of your father’s longtime friends. They’re best friends, if my memory serves me. Isn’t that why his wife was so gracious to tutor you in one of your college courses?”
Hunter’s chest rises and falls as he takes in quick, shallow breaths. He’s about two seconds away from ending my life.
“Here’s the thing, Hunter. You seem to have your own box of secrets tucked away. Yours just happens to be more of a…Jack-in-the-box kind of secret.” I pause for dramatic effect.
I continue after a beat. “Where my indiscretions are forever buried, yours could pop out of that tin can and jump into your life at any moment. It’s kind of frightening if you think about it. I never liked that toy. Did you?”
“Fuck you, Jamison. Lay it all out. I know where you’re going, so let’s get to the bottom line.” He pushes off the chair and comes toward me. Good thing there’s space between us because he’s about to jump over the bar and strangle me.
“You should know better than anyone, Hunter. That’s how lady luck works. One minute, you’re up owning the world. And just like that, she flips you on your head. Your whole world turns upside down and you’re left with nothing.”
“Spell it out. What do you want?”
“I’m going to make this simple and clear. Me versus you. Tit for tat. When all the cards are on the table, it’ll be an equal playing field. Neither one of us will have the upper hand.” I lift the bottle to ask him if he’d like another.
He stiffly nods and slowly returns to his seat. “So we’re renegotiating the agreements.”
“Exactly.” I slide him the bottle. I’ve had enough to get me through the rest of this bloodbath. “I’ll keep what I know about Isabella to myself, and you keep Lauren to yourself. That agreement can stay in place unchanged. It’s the bigger one that needs a lot of work.”
“Tell me the terms and we’ll take it from there.”
“No more manipulation when it comes to Dori. Quit following her and pressuring her. If she comes to you or me, that’s fine. But neither of us tries to sway her mind. You don’t bash me and I don’t bash you. We leave it all in her court.”
He grinds his teeth. “She’ll know something isn’t right the second I stop pursuing her. She’s smarter than that.”
“Agreed. That’s why you’re going to come up with something that makes her believe you need some space.”
“Like?”
“Maybe there’s a new sponsor you used to date who resurfaces and has caught your attention. Maybe you’re falling for Ava. I don’t know or care what you tell Dori. Just back off and make her believe what you say.”
“And you’ll keep your distance as well?”
“Yes. As you know, Dori and I aren’t on the best terms, so it’s not an issue for me. But for the sake of the agreement, neither of us can pursue her.”
“Fair enough.”
