Page 53 of Playing For Keeps
My chest tightens but in the blink of an eye, heaviness leaves my body. She’s safe. I’m grateful as fuck she’s been found but scared out of my mind about what she went through. The room fills with unease.
Hunter juts his chin toward the door. “Let’s get on our way. She’s going to need us there no matter what.”
“I’ll get Melanie, and we’ll follow you there.” I turn to go upstairs.
Hunter calls out right as I get to the staircase. “Hold the faith, Jamison. She’ll need our strength.”
I nod but don’t look back. My stomach hardens. I can’t shake the feeling something terrible has occurred.
Melanie drives us to the hospital, reassuring me the entire way. She keeps saying it’s the lack of sleep and stress causing me to think so negatively about what Dori went through.
Once we get there, I pace the waiting room, along with Aiden and Hunter. “How long does it take to interview someone?”
Aiden checks his phone. “It can take a while.”
“Um-hum.” I catch a blonde nurse in blue scrubs enteringthe room and practically jump in front of her. “Can we see her now?”
“They're doing a few more tests and giving her some fluids. When they're done, I’ll let you in to see her.” She flashes me a supportive smile.
I furrow my brows. “What kind of tests?”
She glances around the room, then finds my worried gaze. “I’m afraid I can’t disclose that due to HIPPA laws.”
I grit my teeth. “Can you at least tell us if she’s okay?”
Right as I ask, a guy in a gray suit steps into the room. “Aiden, glad to see you.”
“Hey, Hardman. Thanks for keeping me updated.” Aiden rushes to shake his hand.
They share a few words as the nurse excuses herself. The rest of us hang back, but we don’t take our eyes off them.
This Hardman guy motions to us. “I take it this is Melanie, Jamison, and Hunter.”
Aiden answers, “Yeah.”
Hardman nods. “She was asking if you were here.”
Aiden cuts in. “What can you tell us?”
“They caught a few guys in the raid.” Hardman places his hand on Aiden’s shoulder. “Joan Venturi and Isabella Carter were at the sale and arrested. They’re being held for human trafficking, kidnapping, force with a deadly weapon, and a host of other charges. They won’t be getting away with this.”
I shift my weight from side to side. “What do you know about Dori? Is she okay?”
He slides his hands into his pockets and addresses me. “She’s a little bruised, dehydrated, and groggy from being drugged. Try not to worry about the baby. I’m sure it’s fine.”
Baby?
My heart trips over a beat. I’m sure that’s what he said.
“What baby?” Aiden asks, his tone filled with disbelief.
And I’m right there with him. My chest heats, and a new wall of protectiveness fills me to my core.
I have so many conflicting feelings coursing through my blood. Anger that she was put in this situation. Excitement about her being pregnant. And an array of a thousand more emotions I can’t cling to.
Hunter’s shoulders go slack, and he glances at me. “You didn’t tell us she was pregnant.”
Hardman runs his hand over his chin. “Sorry. I thought you all knew.”
