Page 43 of Playing the Game
“That was when he didn’t know about your involvementwith Jamison. When your relationship with him was made clear, there was no way my dad could defend you.”
“What relationship with Jami was made clear?”
“There was a picture of you two at the launch holding hands while walking into the closet. It didn’t look good. If anything, it looked terrible since they had pictures of us together as well.”
She stops and stares down at me. “But we weren’t in a relationship. You know that.”
I soften my stance. “But you share a past, and you were with him when he was shot. How was I supposed to explain that to the board?”
“I don’t know, but I’m not trying to take the company down. You have to believe me.”
“I know that, but it looks suspicious. The photos are damaging.”
She runs her hands down her face. “This couldn’t be happening at a worse time.”
My heart aches as I rest on my legs, staring at the worn, patterned floor. “I’m sorry, Dorothy. There was nothing I could do.”
“You didn’t try to get them to understand?” She pulls in a sharp inhale. “And you didn’t defend me?”
“Jonah tried.”
“But you didn’t?”
I lift my head and find her panicked gaze. “Nobody was going to listen to me. They had pictures that proved how involved I am with you. Nothing I could’ve said would’ve helped your cause.”
Locked in each other’s gaze, we spin, helpless in a chaotic world—one where neither of us understands the rules.
Despair drips off her. “I can’t believe this. First, someone tried to kill me but shot Jami instead, and now they caused me to lose my job. When does it stop, Hunter? What does she want from me?”
CHAPTER 10
DORI
Hunter’sworried eyes connect with mine. “I’m going to figure out a way to fix this.”
I laugh through the overwhelming stress taking over. “Fix what? Jami? My job status? Or the fact your psychotic mom has it in for me, and we don’t know why?
“Take your pick, Hunter. You can’t choose wrong. Hell, I even have a few more to throw in if?—”
“That won’t be necessary. I know everything you’re going through.” He stands and reaches for me. “Please let me be here for you.”
I back away. As much as I care for Hunter, I can’t deny what I’ve always felt for Jami. He’s the person I’ve always wanted to be with.
He saved my life by taking a bullet that was meant for me. Almost losing him for good forced me to face my feelings for him. I can’t walk away from him now.
“Hunter, you can’t be here for me anymore. You have much bigger issues to deal with than me.”
“You’re the only thing that matters.”
“What about your unborn child?”
“There’s no proof that the baby is mine. Even if it is, you’re what matters right now.”
I spin as the earth below me seems to disappear. I’m in a free fall, and nothing I can do will stop me from disappearing into a black hole.
“You can’t say that, Hunter. You’ve got to put the situation with Isabella first.” My insides wrench, and I want to vomit. “How did my life get like this?”
“You’re not alone in this.” Hunter places his hands on the top of my shoulders. “I’m going to do everything in my power to fix this.”
