Page 76 of Playing With Secrets
“If she stops by unexpectedly at your house or mine, that’s different because we have no control over that. But until the app is successfully launched, we don’t date her under any circumstances.”
He tilts his head and studies me. “And if I don’t agree, what are the consequences?”
“I’ll give you a list. Number one, anything to do with my past and Aricin, you leave alone. If you don’t, I’ll make sure Jack Dupree finds his way out of his box and back into your life.”
Hunter’s face flashes purple. “What else?”
“Number two, if Aiden finds out about my night with Dori, I’ll make sure your father finds out about your affair with his best friend's wife.”
“Anything more you want to add?” Sarcasm spills from his words.
“Yes, there is. Number three and the nail in the coffin for both of us. If you sabotage my business, I’ll make sure the board finds out how you funded Ava’s lifestyle with the company dollars for all those years.”
“You wouldn’t.”
“Why not? I think that’s cause for them to remove you from CEO. Possibly even create a hostile takeover, making Jonah the sole owner.”
Hunter fakes a laugh. “Like I said the night we first made this agreement. You nor I are no better than the other. We just play the game using different strategies.”
“Does that mean we agree to our new arrangements?”
“Yes, we have an agreement.” He places his hand out for me to shake.
I take his hand in mine and squeeze hard. “Deal.”
“Deal.” He pulls back his hand, then his eyes narrow. “One last thing. Where did you get that chip?”
My gaze wanders to the betting marker Ava gave me. I have no idea what it means, but it’s something huge because she had a look of malice in her eyes when she handed it to me. She sinfully smiled when she told me to give it to Hunter.
“Ava gave it to me.” I glance at him. “She said you’ll know what it means.”
He walks over and picks it up. He batons it in between his fingers a few times. Something disturbing slides over his face but then washes away.
He lifts his head to me as if he’s trying to determine if I’m hiding anything. “Did she say where she got it?”
“No. I have no clue what it means or where it came from. But from the looks of it, it’s nothing good.”
He doesn’t say a word. He just stares at me as if he’s trying to find deceit in my eyes.
It’s now that I decide to find out what that chip means, because it has Hunter trembling like a frightened child. Imight need the extra leverage in case he pulls something dirty in the future.
“Jamison, I have one more question before you let yourself out. Did you get the FBI involved with any of this? Or did you use your own private investigator?” He eyes me hard as his hand fists the chip like he’s going to die if he loses it.
There’s something both sinister and concerning in his eyes. He’s trying to hide it, but it’s pulsing off him like energy running through a live wire and he can’t hold it in.
I bluff by releasing a sardonic laugh. “Do you think I would get the FBI involved when part of what I want hidden is from one of the agents himself? That would be like handing Aiden a loaded gun pointed at me.”
“But he’s your best friend.” Hunter dials in on me. “I can’t imagine he would come after you.”
“You don’t know him, but if he thought Dori and I got together, he wouldn’t stop until he killed me with his bare hands. So, to answer your question. No, the FBI isn’t involved. I don’t have a death wish.”
He nods with his guard still up.
Smart man.
“You know, Jamison. It’s too bad we fell in love with the same woman because we could’ve ruled the world if we were on the same side.” He tilts his head toward the door. “You know your way out.”
“I warned you I was a worthy opponent. You should’ve listened because I considered you a friend at one point.”
