Chapter 14
HUNTER
My chest aches as I rattle my knuckles against Ava’s hotel suite door. My life is being shredded to pieces, and she might have the information I need to get it back together.
She comes into view wearing baby blue yoga pants and a crop top. “Hunter, what are you doing here?”
“Can I come in?”
“Of course. I just got back from working out, so excuse my appearance.” She widens the space to allow me to enter.
I step into the foyer, waiting for her bitchy attitude to present itself. “I’m not here to look at you, Ava.”
She strolls into the living room area. “I see you’re unhappy with me for some reason.”
On edge, I follow her into the room and stop near a refreshments counter. “You’ll need to forgive me. My brain hasn’t registered that you aren’t blackmailing me anymore.”
“Fair enough.” She motions to the couch. “Have a seat and tell me why you’re here.”
“I’ll stand, thanks.”
“Suit yourself. So, why are you here?”
“We need to talk about the betting chip you gave Jamison. ”
“What about it?”
“Ava, I need the truth. Why did you give him that chip? You showed up at our office and supposedly bumped into him. Then, on a whim, you placed it in his hands. I don’t buy that’s how it happened.”
She sits and peers up at me. “I don’t know what you’re getting at.”
“My mother sent you there, didn’t she?” A few beats pass. I slam my hand against the counter. “Didn’t she? He could’ve fucking died, Ava. That’s on you now.”
She blinks rapidly. “It wasn’t like that.”
“Then how was it?”
“She gave me the chip, but I was supposed to give it to Dorothy Fisher. I had no idea she wanted to hurt Jamison.”
“Then why give it to him?”
“I gave it to him because he said he was going to meet you about what I told him. Giving it to him was a way for me to give you a jab. I was trying to freak you out a little.”
My world flips. “So the marker was always a warning for Dorothy? It was never meant for Jamison?”
“I didn’t know that was the message behind the chip. I told you that the night Jamison gave it to you. Your mother never told me what it meant or what it was for.”
“If you would’ve done what she asked, I would’ve known Dorothy was the target. Don’t you see what you’ve done? You pulled him into this war for no other reason than to get back at me.”
“I’m sorry, Hunter. I didn’t expect her to go after someone and try to kill them.” Ava’s face pales. “But your mother… Do you know who she’s married to? Do you know who those people are?”
“Yes, I do. Why do you think I’ve stayed far away from that darkness and never wanted to find her? I knew better and didn’t want all this filth in my life. But leave it to you to find a way to bring her back into my life and make it hell for the last fifteen years.”
Ava stands and glares across the room. “Don’t come here and get on me about mistakes I’ve tried to make right. I thought we moved past this and were on the same team. Besides, I thought you didn’t like Jamison.”
I growl and ball my hands into fists. “I don’t like him, but that doesn’t mean I wanted him dead. Now he’s lying in a hospital bed, and Dorothy won’t leave his side.”
A knowingness settles in Ava’s face. “That’s what this attitude is about. If Jamison had never been shot, Dorothy wouldn’t be with him.”
There’s no use denying it. Ava knows me too well and would know I’d be lying if I did.
I rub my neck. “Something like that.”
“You’re not mad that I gave him the chip. You’re upset that he got shot and stole Dorothy’s attention.” Ava half laughs. “You haven’t changed a bit.”
My heated gaze snaps to hers. “What does that mean?”
“It’s still all about what you want. Fuck everyone who stands in your way. When are you going to learn that you don’t always win?”
“I know that, Ava.” I clench my teeth. “This isn’t about getting what I want. This is about trying to figure out what my mother wants from me. I need your help with that. Otherwise, I’m afraid more people are in danger.”
“Meaning Dorothy.”
“And you. If you haven’t noticed, you still have a security team following you because I don’t want you to get hurt, either.”
Ava’s posture softens. “Okay. I understand. Now, can you stop coming at me like I’m the enemy so we can see if we can figure out how to stop your lunatic mother?”
I nod and take a deep, cleansing breath. My nerves are shot. “Do you have anything in your suite to drink? ”
“Take whatever you want.” She gestures to the beverage station.
I walk to that area and sift through the selection. I find a small bottle of Jack Daniel’s. “Do you want one?”
“May as well.” She goes back to her spot on the couch.
I fix us two Jack and Cokes and take them to join her.
“What can you tell me about my mother and this stupid wish of hers for me to have a child?” I hold Ava’s drink out.
She takes it and sips on her cocktail a little longer than expected.
My eyes narrow. “Tell me what you’re trying to decide whether you should keep from me.”
She places her glass on the coffee table. “I left something out that could be helpful, but you can’t jump down my throat when I tell you.”
“Wonderful. It sounds like I should be seated for this.” I sit near the end of the couch.
“When your mother and I first made this arrangement, she gave me two choices. One, agree with her and get something in return. Or two, go against her and face the consequences. Obviously, I agreed with her.”
“And what did you get in exchange?” I place my drink down.
“You need to remember I was barely twenty, so her arrangement didn’t seem so horrible.”
“Get on with it, Ava.”
“I… She… Once I had our baby, I promised to give it to her.” The words come out barely above a whisper.
My pulse spikes and I’m off the couch, towering over Ava. “You what? Why would you even consider that?”
She gets to her feet, going toe to toe with me. “Because you had hurt me with Helena. I figured I could give your mom your child and make you feel the same pain I did.”
“You said you were never going to go through with that plan. ”
“I wasn’t going to keep blackmailing you. Not until your mom got involved. And her plan was always for a child. I thought I could get out of the deal. But as time went on, I realized I couldn’t. I thought giving up a baby to her was better than being dead.”
“For the love of God, Ava. Your logic still makes no sense. Did you not think about how you would bond with the baby while pregnant?”
“I figured the money your mom was going to give me would help with any feelings I had for a baby I shared with you. If you remember, I didn’t want to be tied to you because you had humiliated me over the years.”
My chest rises and falls in quick succession. Ava’s words start to register.
I take a step back and tilt my head. “What do you mean, the money my mother was going to give you?”
Her gaze drops to the floor. “Once I delivered the baby and your mom took it, she was going to pay me one hundred million dollars.”
The realization that my mom is willing to pay for a child of mine has my blood leaving my body.
“Oh, Ava. How na?ve you were.”
She straightens. “Just how was I na?ve?”
“Do you really think she would’ve paid you?” I huff a laugh. “She would’ve killed you before she gave you that kind of money.”
“I was young and didn’t think of that. Besides, if she wanted me dead, she would’ve done it before now.”
“Well, there’s still time.”
“That’s a horrible thing to say.” Ava lunges and shoves me.
I stumble back a step. “But true. If I were you, I’d watch your back.”
“Why are you set on being an ass to me at every turn?”
“Look at how you’ve been to me over the last fifteen years and you’ll have your answer.” I deadpan .
She purses her lips. “But we’re supposed to be on the same side now. Can’t you try to be civil for one day?”
“Considering I’m footing the bill for your security team, I’d say I’m being more than reasonable.”
“For once, can you try to be kind? I’m not as awful as you think.” Her eyes gloss over.
Her vulnerability causes my shoulders to relax and my defenses to lower. I don’t want to see her cry. I’m not here to hurt her.
“Let’s not rehash the past. If you have anything else I need to know, now’s your chance to make it right. If you leave anything out and I find out later, I’ll call the security team off you and you can fend for yourself.”
She wipes away her tears. “That’s all I was keeping from you.”
“Is there any reason she wanted the baby for herself? I ask because she walked away from Jonah and me, so it makes little sense why she would want to raise a child of mine.”
Ava shakes her head and sinks back to her spot on the couch. “Not that I can think of.”
I massage my neck as I sit. “I wish I could make sense of this.”
“Maybe she wants to get back in your good graces.”
My laugh barrels out. “She is delusional, but I doubt that’s her motive.”
“I’ll try to remember anything I can think of that might help, but she never told me why she wanted the baby. All she said was she would pay me for it, and I could visit whenever I wanted.”
An idea formulates in my brain. “Do you know how to get a message to her?”
“Yes. Why?”
“I’m going to need your help.”
I leave the post office with my gut in knots. Sending my mother the chip back and inviting her here to meet with me is only part of the reason for the anxiety thrumming through my veins.
The other part is Dorothy agreed to have dinner with me tonight. She’s been with Jamison for the last week and a half, and I was out of town the week before that.
She’s grown distant. When I asked about it, she said she was dealing with a lot, but her therapist was helping her and I didn’t need to be concerned. I knew then I had a lot to worry about.
Since we can be seen in public now, I arranged for a table at a five-star restaurant. It’s not much, but I’ll do anything to win her back.
She’s waiting for me at our table when I arrive. I take her in as I walk up. She’s wearing black jeans and a silk cream-colored blouse.
She stands when I reach her. “Hi, Hunter.”
“Dorothy, you look beautiful, as always.” I give her a hug. “Thanks for meeting me.”
We sit down, and I take a moment to get centered.
She rests her arms on the table and peers my way. “Thanks for inviting me. I know I said we could talk last week, but things were too stressful. I appreciate you giving me time and space to figure out my feelings.”
“You know I’d do anything for you.” I glance at the table. There’s already a drink in front of me. “Did you order this for me?”
“I did. It’s scotch, in case you’re wondering.”
“Scotch is perfect.” I pick up my glass and hold it out to her. “Cheers to some time alone with you. ”
She smiles, lifts her wineglass, and toasts with me. “To our time together.”
Crazed butterflies swarm in my chest. I take a sip of my drink and place it down. “How’s Jamison’s recovery coming along?”
Her cheeks turn a beautiful shade of crimson. “He’s doing good. Cranky as can be, but overall, he’s recovering well.”
“That’s good news.”
“It is, but I don’t think you invited me to dinner to discuss him, so what’s this about?”
My pulse quickens as I stare deep into her eyes. “I miss you and wanted to see you. That’s why I invited you here.”
She shifts back in her chair. “I miss you too.”
We hold each other’s gaze. The room disappears until only she’s in my sight. I suck in a breath because if I lose her for good, I’m not sure I’ll recover.
My mouth gets dry, so I take a swig of my scotch. “I talked with my dad. He’s going to help me get your contract reinstated.”
“Wow. He’s willing to do that after everything he’s heard about me?”
“He is. I’m his son and he wants to see me happy.”
She glances off to the side as a server passes by. “I’m not sure you need to go through all that trouble.”
“Why do you say that?”
She lifts her wine and sips on it.
“Dorothy, please talk to me.”
Her apologetic eyes meet mine. “Because Jami wants me to move to Miami with him, and I’m considering going.”
My heart almost stops beating. “Are you saying you’re moving in with him?”
“No. Not exactly.” She adjusts herself and leans forward against the table. “I’m going to be staying with him while he rehabs. He needs help packing and moving around.”
“And what about Miami? ”
“I wouldn’t be moving in with him there. At least, we haven’t talked about that yet.”
The server joins us to take our dinner orders. While Dorothy has her go over the specials, I struggle to grasp how this is taking place. My heart is a broken mess, yet she seems relatively unaffected.
Once the server leaves, I try to give our relationship one last chance. “Please don’t go to Miami.”
“Why? What’s here for me, Hunter?”
“I’m here for you.” I reach across the table, asking for her hand.
She slides her palm into mine and squeezes. “Hunter, I’m sorry, but we can’t go back. Our relationship is over.”
“Are you saying you don’t love me anymore?” My throat tightens and I swallow my despair.
She bites down on her lip and shakes her head.
Confusion envelops me. “No, you don’t love me anymore?”
“My feelings for you haven’t gone away, but it’s different now. Just being here with you makes me feel guilty and like I’m betraying Jami.”
“If you still love me, there’s still a chance for us to get back to where we were before he got shot.”
She releases a breath. “There’s not, though. You have Isabella to watch over now, and I can’t be a part of it.”
Steel forms in my chest. “The results aren’t back yet.”
Dorothy tilts her head and smiles. “If she’s willing to take a paternity test, I’m sure she knows who the father is.”
“I thought you said you’d stay with me and help me if that was the case.”
“I feel terrible going back on my word and hurting you, but things are different now. Please try to understand.”
I press back in my seat and give it all I’ve got. “Say I get your job back. Would you consider staying here, then?”