Page 22 of Playing the Game
I turn off the hairdryer. “That should do it. Why don’t you get in bed while I put this away and shut down the place?”
“Okay.” She doesn’t move. Her troubled gaze stays on the floor.
I want to ask her how I can help, but I decide to leave and give her some space while I get ready for bed. When I come back, she’s leaning against the headboard.
My heart warms at the sight. “I was hoping I would find you asleep.”
“No. I’m too confused. I can’t get anything to make sense.”
As I get into bed, I gently arrange her between my legs soshe can lay her head on my chest while I prop myself up against the headboard.
“Lean on me, and let’s talk through what’s confusing you.” I move her hair over her shoulder and kiss her temple.
She tenses in my arms. “Why would anyone want to shoot Jami?”
“I don’t know.”
“What if the bullets weren’t meant for him? The laser was pointed at me. He only got hit because he moved in front of me.”
My throat constricts. “What are you talking about?”
She twists out of my arms and hooks her red-rimmed eyes to mine. “We were talking. He moved, and a red light flashed across his jaw. I asked him what it was.
“He didn’t say anything, but I followed his eye movement to my chest. Two red dots were aimed at my heart. There was a shot fired, and before either of us could say anything, he stumbled into me. Then there was another shot, and he toppled on top of me.”
The bullets were meant for Dorothy.
My blood turns to ice. “Why didn’t you tell me this earlier?”
“I just remembered it. I didn’t even tell the cops. They asked if I knew who shot him and I said no. They asked me if I saw who did it, but again, I said no. I was in shock.” Her words crack like she’s about to cry.
My body stiffens. “Fuck me. I never should’ve taken the security team off you.”
“Why?”
“I just shouldn’t have. There are bad people out there.” I jump out of bed.
“What are you doing, Hunter?”
I’m halfway to the room’s opening and glance back toward her. “I’m going to get the security team set up. There’s no wayyou can stop me. I know you need your independence, but I need you to be safe.”
“But—”
“All I’m asking for is a compromise. You let me do this, and they can report to you. I don’t need to know anything you don’t want me to.”
Tears fall from her eyes. “You don’t need to ask me to compromise. I think it’s a good idea. If I hadn’t made you call them off, Jami wouldn’t be… This is all my fault.”
She throws her face in her hands and cries.
Dammit!
She needs me and I’m panicking.
I hurry back and hold her. “You couldn’t have seen this coming. Don’t blame yourself.”
She weeps in my arms for five minutes without saying a word. This situation is going to break her. She’s spinning in guilt. And the worst part is it’s not her fault. It’s mine.
Deep down, I knew my mother wasn’t going to let go of Ava’s and my dismissal of her. I’m more than angry with myself for not seeing this coming.
