Page 60 of Playing the Game
Dori’s voice rises. “How do you know that?”
Fuck, my pain medication is going to mess this up for me.
I grimace and still my breath. “Calm down.”
“I am calm, but you’ve never said anything about knowing this. Just how long have you had this information, and how did you find out?”
I glance off to the side, trying to find the right way to tell Dori everything. “When Hunter was threatening me, I went looking for information I could use against him. You know this already.”
“No, I don’t. All I know is what he told me. You never told me anything.” She shakes her head as her cheeks get red. “How many secrets do you have that I don’t know about?”
Right, she’s calm.
“Dori, sit down and I’ll tell you everything.” I try to straighten my posture and gasp when my ribs, back, and shoulder tighten. “Fuck me. I’m so sick of this happening every time I move.”
Her expression grows concerned. “Are you okay?”
“Yes, just give me a second.” I glare at the ceiling, waiting for the pain to subside. A few beats pass, and then I give Dori my attention again. “Please sit down so I can tell you what happened.”
She does what I ask. “Spill it, Stone.”
“Now I’m Stone?” I roll my eyes.
She’s far from calm. She’s on the edge of her seat with annoyance hanging off her.
I clear my throat. “Before you found out about Lauren and Aricin, I did some digging. I found out all I could about Hunter to level the playing field.”
“And just how did you get this information?”
This isn’t going to go well.
“Please don’t leave when I tell you.”
She folds her arms over her chest. “Just tell me what you did.”
I flash her my best pleading for forgiveness look. “I asked Aiden to look into Hunter. He gave me a little to go on, but then I took Ava out to dinner and she told me the rest. I had enough to get her to tell me her side of the story.”
Dori’s back up on her feet. “You brought Aiden into this? Good God, Jami, are you just trying to make it impossible for us to be together?”
“No. I was trying to do the exact opposite when I went down that path.”
“And you thought getting Aiden involved in your takedown of Hunter would be good for our relationship?”
I shrug sheepishly. “I needed Aiden on my side. If he knew Hunter wasn’t who you should be with, then maybe I’d be the lesser of two evils.”
Her features soften as she sinks back into her chair. “I guess I see why you thought that. Sorry, I got upset.”
My eyebrows shoot up. “You’re not mad?”
“No. I’ve been working with my therapist. I know how much I’ve put you through. I can’t promise I won’t have a knee-jerk reaction to things, but I’m trying hard to see how my past actions have made the people I love behave poorly.” She takes my hand in hers.
I bring it to my lips and kiss it. “My actions are my responsibility. I’m sorry I was keeping things from you.”
“I know you are.”
“That doesn’t make it better. I’ve hurt you by not confiding in you, and I promise I’ll work on it.”
“We can talk about all that once you’re home.” She stands and leans over, planting a kiss on my mouth.
