Page 16 of How to Play the Player

“I thought you were on my side,” I argue.

Jonathan’s expression softens. “I am. Always. But I’m also on the side of the truth, whatever that might be.”

I shake my head, desperate to escape the doubt his words have sparked. “You weren’t there when it happened. You didn’t feel that betrayal.”

“No,” he agrees. “But I saw what it did to you. And sometimes I wonder if you ever really recovered.”

The compassion in his voice grates on my nerves. I don’t need understanding. I need him to trust my judgment on this.

“I need to make a call.” I pull out my phone, already dialing Scott from Knight Industries’ security department. Ineed a concrete action to distract from the emotional quicksand threatening to pull me under.

Scott answers after the second ring. “This is Scott.”

“I want a complete background check on a Quinn Sanders. Every client she’s worked with since our…since the NorthStar leak a year ago. Every contract, every business associate, especially that partner she just split from.”

“You got it,” Scott responds.

Jonathan sighs. “Nathan?—”

“No.” I cut my brother off, my voice sharp with desperation barely disguised as authority. “If she’s going to be involved with this wedding, with our family, I need to know everything. Who she’s working with, what she’s been doing. You keep insisting there might be something I’ve missed, so let me put your mind at ease by proving you wrong.”

There’s no way there can be, because the alternative—that I’ve spent a year punishing an innocent woman—is unthinkable, impossible to fathom.

“This isn’t about the wedding for you, is it?” Jake asks softly.

I ignore him, turning my attention back to the phone. “Be sure to run a comprehensive background check. This is priority level one.”

Why would I sacrifice my relationship with you for money? I loved you, Nathan.Her words replay in my mind, stirring up frustration. What gives her the right to play innocent after all this time. As if she could just walk back into my life, look at me with those eyes, and make me forget everything?

Then I think of those leaked details, the shame and humiliation of facing Jonathan and Jake after the NorthStar deal collapsed, the career setback that took months to overcome.

My resolve hardens, protected by the familiar armor of anger and suspicion.

“Text me the results when you’re done,” I tell Scott, ending the call.

Both my brother and Jake watch me with an expression that looks too similar to pity.

“You know, sometimes I think you’re more afraid she’s innocent than guilty,” Jake says.

Jake is being naive, always trying to see the best in people. That’s his weakness, not mine. I’m the only one who sees people for who they really are.

“Bullshit,” I counter.

I grab my keys from the table, needing to escape. “I’ll see you at the office tomorrow.”

“Nathan,” Jonathan calls as I reach the door. “Give her a chance to prove herself.”

I don’t bother responding as I slam the door behind me, echoing Quinn’s exit from minutes before.

In my car, I grip the steering wheel, fighting the urge to show up at her place. To demand answers.

Instead, I start the engine and head in the opposite direction. Away from Quinn. Away from doubt. Away from the uncomfortable truth that seeing her twice this week has turned me into a mess all over again.

I refuse to acknowledge the tension I felt when I had her cornered against that chair.

It was just adrenaline, just anger. Nothing more

Every sharp turn and acceleration fuel my anger as I drive to my apartment. The confrontation with Quinn replays in my mind—not her words but the calculated way she delivered them.

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