Page 52 of Playing For Keeps
Aiden clears his throat. “I’m never going to be okay with what you did.”
Well, there goes his good sense to stay away from the sensitive subject. I stay where I am, astounded by his audacity to approach this right now.
“That changes nothing.” I look over my shoulder in his direction. “Besides, I’m never going to be okay that you turned a blind eye to the guys who have her.”
His eyes twitch as he goes pale. “I dropped anonymous tips whenever I could.”
“Yeah, and look what good it did.” I hold his guilt-ridden stare.
Hunter appears from the hallway. “Jamison, if you need a shower, you can use the one in my room.”
“No thanks. I want to wait until we hear something before I make myself unavailable.” I turn away.
Aiden's phone rings, bringing my attention right back to him.
He answers it as he paces in the kitchen. “This is Fisher.”
Hunter tosses the towel he’s using to dry his hair on the back of a chair in the sitting area near the bar.
He focuses on Aiden. “Hopefully, this is the news we’ve been waiting for.”
My legs move, taking me to where Hunter and Aiden are, as if I don’t have a choice in the matter. Who am I kidding? I don’t because anything that has to do with Dori magnetizes me to it.
“Uh-huh.” Aiden stills. His gaze darts between Hunter and me. “And when will that be?”
I stop near the island next to Hunter. “It sounds like?—”
“Have you got eyes on her?” Aiden twists away. A second passes, and he faces us again, smiling. “And you’re sure it’s her?”
Hunter’s shoulders soften as he releases a heavy sigh. “Thank God.”
Hope springs in my chest, but I don’t want to assume anything until Aiden verifies it. I hold my breath and wait.
“Where and when?” He glances around and looks at Hunter. “I need a piece of paper and a pen.”
Hunter nods and rushes to a drawer. He rummages through it and tosses the items on the counter in front of Aiden.
Aiden takes the pen and makes a note. “Can we go now?”
My heart rate speeds up. I can’t hold myself back from believing Dori’s been found and I’m going to see her soon. Overwhelm bubbles up in my throat, and emotion chokes me. I breathe a sigh of relief.
Aiden finishes writing. “Thanks, Hardman. We’ll be waiting for her there.”
He hangs up with excitement pulsing off him. “They have her. She’s being taken to a hospital about two hours from here.”
“Why a hospital? Is she hurt?” A wave of concern ripples through me, and nausea sets in.
“Not that I know of. They always take people to the hospital after an abduction to gather evidence and make sure the victim is okay.” Aiden tips his chin at Hunter. “Can I go with you since I don’t have a car here?”
Hunter’s eyes narrow, and his voice falters. “What kind of evidence?”
“I’m wondering the same thing. She was with sextraffickers, after all.” I study Aiden as I get lightheaded, praying with everything in me nothing happened to her.
I’m sick to my stomach with dread. If they hurt her in any way, I don’t know how I’ll hold myself together. I visibly tremble.
What Hunter and I are asking finally hits Aiden.
He lowers his head as he goes white as a ghost. “They didn’t say if anything happened. I have to believe they would’ve warned me, but…”
