Page 17 of Playing For Keeps
The room falls into an eerie silence. Every one of us takes in the accusations and implications of the secrets that are on the edge of being exposed.
Aiden’s chest rises and falls at a quick pace. His gaze bounces around Jamison’s face. Jamison doesn’t bat an eye.
I’m with him on this one. Aiden’s keeping something from us, and I have a sick feeling it’s something that will change everything.
CHAPTER 5
JAMISON
It takesall my willpower not to take Aiden down and pummel his ass. “Go ahead, Aiden. Don’t hold back on us now.”
Hunter squares his shoulders toward Aiden. “Jamison’s right. It’s time you tell us everything, or we’re just working against each other.”
“This is Dori’s life, Aiden. Please tell us whatever it is you know.” Melanie squeezes between Hunter and Aiden and stares into his eyes. “You told me once Dori’s the only person in your family you care about. If that’s true, you need to give us all the information. For Dori. No one else matters.”
Aiden’s gaze softens with Melanie’s words. She runs her hands up and down his biceps as he seems to consider her request. His shoulders slump forward. There’s a break in his iron mask, showing the strain on his face.
“Mel, I can’t. It’s too big for any of us to fix.” Aiden’s arms reach around to hold her as his eyes close.
Oh, fuck this bullshit. I’m done.
“For once, quit making everything about you. You need some serious help, and so does Dori.” Ibreak Mel and Aiden apart. “There isn’t time for some romantic gesture between you two. Let’s sit down and get to the bottom of this mess.”
Hunter raises his brows. “I couldn’t agree more with Jamison. We need to come clean with each other or else Dorothy’s life is at stake.”
I want to roll my eyes at him because he’s just as responsible as Aiden. But the truth is, all three of us are at fault.
Aiden flexes his arms and chest as he pins me with a death stare.
I don’t give two fucks. He can kill me once Dori’s found.
“Let’s take this to my dining room. There are enough chairs and space in there for us to get to the issue at hand without tearing each other apart.” Hunter motions to a room off the kitchen. “Follow me.”
Aiden waits for me to move. Giving him the satisfaction so I can find Dori faster, I follow in Hunter’s footsteps. Melanie’s on my heels. If I weren’t so terrified for Dori, I’d be pounding on both Aiden and Hunter for using her as bait.
How did I not see that one coming? Oh, I know. I thought Aiden would keep Dori out of that kind of danger. Whatever he’s hiding has to be earth-shattering because he’s acting like he’s lost his mind.
Hunter takes a seat at the head of the table. I can’t be close to him, so I sit two chairs down. Melanie gets the hint and slides into the chair between Hunter and me. Aiden hesitantly sits beside Hunter.
Hunter dips his chin at us. “I’ll start this matter, but we all have to agree to get everything out in the open. No more deceit, lies, secrets, or cover-ups. This ends here today at this table. For Dorothy, we agree to work together from here on out.”
Melanie nods. “Count me in.”
“I have nothing to hide, so I’m in.” I raise a brow at Aiden.
Everyone here knows he’s the one holding out. How he responds to this will tell me everything I need to know. If he holds back, I’m out of here and only working with the FBI.
That thought reminds me of something. I pull out my phone and check for messages from my security team. Still no word.
Come on, Dori.
Remember what I told you about your bracelet.
Aiden interrupts my thought. “Fine. We need to find Dori.”
“Do you want to go first?” Hunter asks Aiden.
He shakes his head. “I need a minute.”
