Page 77 of Playing With Secrets
I start to leave and then twist back to him. “Oh, you asked how I got in. I have a photographic memory when it comes to numbers. You should probably change the code to unlock your door.”
“Since you gave me a heads-up on that, I’ll give you one of my own. In the spirit of keeping things equal and all that garbage, you may think Ava’s on your side, but she’s not.”
“Why would you believe that?”
“This chip proves it. You marched yourself into a different war altogether without knowing it.” He shakes his head as if he feels sorry for me. “Watch your back, Jamison. The woman she works with will be coming for you, and she’s more ruthless than me.”
“Yeah, right. I’m sure she is.”
“Trust me. It won’t be pretty when she gets you. It’ll have nothing to do with the petty things we have on the table. No, it’ll be something that will haunt you for the rest of your life.”
I shrug. “Nah. You know everything about me. I’m not worried.”
“You should be because she’ll laugh as you suffer in the aftermath. She gets off on that shit. There’s no doubt in my mind it’ll happen because she’s done it to me.”
“I’m not concerned.”
“Believe me when I say this. When she finds it, Jamison, she’ll destroy the one thing that will break you to the core. So, good luck, my old friend. I hope you survive her wrath.” He raises his glass and downs it in my honor.
Chills cover my body. I leave with his warning and surprisingly, I believe him. The only problem is I have no idea what war I’m involved in now.
But something tells me I’m going to find out sooner than I wish because when I step out of Hunter’s place, Ava’s coming toward me with daggers flying from her eyes.
CHAPTER 19
HUNTER
Ice-cold and burninghot is how the blood’s running through my veins with the realization that everything’s coming to a catastrophic head.
Someone knocks on the door. Jamison’s probably not done with me, so I get up to answer it. I look through the peephole and my entire body turns to stone.
I swing the door open and Ava comes into view. “What did you come here for? To ask for more or to rub it in my face that you have another person behind you in your idiotic quest?”
“Hunter, that’s no way to treat a lady. Where are your manners? Didn’t your mommy teach you better?” Ava’s eyes shine with triumph.
Acid rises in my chest with her reference to my mom. “Considering you’re not a lady, I think my manners are right on point.”
She waves me off as if my words bounce right off her. “Aren’t you going to invite me in?”
“I wasn’t planning on it. Say what you need to say and leave.” I hold the door tight in my hand so shecan’t push by.
“No, no, Hunter. We have things to discuss in private. You know you want to, so let me in or I’ll go straight to the board with what I have in my bag.” She pats her Hermes bag like it's a precious child.
“You’ve done enough damage. What’s a little more?” I stand my ground even though it’s far from my best interests. But the last thing I want is her in my place. She may never leave if I let her in.
She waggles her finger in my face. “Don’t get sarcastic, dear. It’s not becoming. Now let me in or I’ll have no choice but to call my daddy and let him see these pictures. I promise you’ll want the first peek. It’s new information that I recently became aware of.”
Pictures?
Fresh news can only mean one thing: Ava knows everything about Dorothy, and my world falls into the abyss.
“This is your show, Ava. Please don’t make it long. I have a lot of work I need to do.” I widen the opening to my place and let the bitch in.
“I’m aware, so I’ll make this as quick as possible.” She pushes aside and walks straight toward the couch I purchased for Dorothy in front of the window.
There’s no way I’ll let Ava soil something good and intimate that Dorothy and I share.
“Not there, Ava. We’re not getting cozy. The kitchen will be just fine.”
