Chapter 8
JAMISON
I need to know if Dori’s going to run once I’m better.
Since she’s not answering, I ask again. “Dori, please be honest with me. I don’t want to get my hopes up only to be let down. If you want to be with me, explain where you and Hunter stand.”
A brief cloud of pain floats through her eyes. “Don’t worry about that right now. Just focus on getting better.”
My stomach flips as my thoughts grow wary. She’s told me she loves me before and ended up back with Hunter.
“I could do that easier if I knew you meant this.” My ribs spasm and I grunt through the pain.
She keeps a concerned eye on me until I’m settled. I gently nudge her with my hand.
A soft smile graces her lips as she responds. “I mean it, Jami. There’s no changing my mind.”
“How can I be sure? We’ve been through this before.”
She gets to her feet and paces beside me. “Do you know how scared I was? I thought I’d never get another opportunity to tell you how I feel. I thought the last thing you would remember was me telling you to move and find someone else to love. ”
Her words bring a tidal wave of memories to the forefront of my mind. I was on a walk with her and begging her to give us another try. A sudden sting slices at my heart.
I squeeze my eyes shut, trying to force away the awful feeling. “You told me Hunter needed you, and I needed to go to Miami.”
She rushes to my side. “I know what I said, but none of that matters. You were given another chance at life, and I plan on making every day count.”
“Why is this time any different than before?”
“Jami, I made a deal with God. I told him I’d never let you go if he brought you back to me. There won’t be a day that goes by that you don’t know how much I love you.”
“But what if?—”
“No. There is no what if. I’ve never been so sure about anything. We’re meant to be together. I know it’s never been easy with us, but that can change if we try.” The determination in her voice is unmistakable.
“What about all the obstacles we have to overcome? Those have always stopped us before. Who’s saying they won’t again?”
“We’ll get through them one at a time. If we lean on each other, I know we can have a great life together.” Her eyes penetrate mine. “If that’s what you want.”
My body relaxes. “You know that’s what I want.”
“Does that mean you’ll have me?”
I reach up and palm her cheek. “Every day for the rest of my life. I love you, Dori. I always have.”
“Then it’s settled.” She leans over and brushes her lips against mine.
Even under the influence of drugs, her lips have a more soothing effect on me than any medication. I soften into the mattress.
She pulls away and stares deep into my eyes. “If you ever decide you want to get rid of me, you better think twice. ”
“Not a chance in hell will that happen. Being with you is what I want. And by saying it’s what you want too, you just gave me great news.”
“If it’s good news you’re sharing, let me in on it.” Chuck’s voice booms behind Dori.
She moves aside and lets Chuck stand in her place. Lauren joins Dori, and they exchange a pleasant hello. They even hug.
What the fuck?
How could they be civil when Lauren had hit Dori the last time they saw each other?
I’m trying to piece together their interaction when Dori excuses herself to give me time to visit with them. As soon as she leaves, I ask Lauren about it. She explains they cleared the air while waiting for me to get out of surgery.
At least, that’s one good thing that came from this. If Dori’s being sincere and wants a life with me, this bullet wound might be worth it in the end.
Chuck and Lauren only stay a short while as I grow tired. I fall asleep as they leave the room.
I dream of Dori and me. The images are strange because they combine our past interactions with new events that have yet to happen.
One minute, we’re hiking like we used to, and the next, we’re walking on a beach. They feel real. I cling to them to help me get through the misery of my wound.
I wake to Hunter standing over me. My right side seizes up in searing agony, causing a groan to escape my lips.
His forehead wrinkles. “Is your pain because of me, or do you need me to get a nurse? ”
“It’s due to my injury, but you don’t need to get the nurse.” I adjust myself to find a better position. “Where’s Dori?”
“Good question. I thought I’d find her with you, but it seems she’s not around.” He glances over his shoulder at the door.
Unexplained unease causes my throat to tighten. “Well, in that case, don’t let me keep you.”
His unreadable gaze comes back to me. “She’s not answering her phone. I’m wondering if you’ve seen her.”
I take a moment to study him, noticing the subtle twitch in his eye and how he shifts his weight. He’s trying to wear a shield, but his energy tells me to take notice.
“What’s this about, Hunter?”
He gestures to my wound. “You won’t believe me, but this isn’t what I wanted to happen.”
An icy dread settles over me as my brows furrow into a tight line. I haven’t considered it could’ve been Hunter who had me shot.
Could he be behind this?
My blood pumps stronger. “Who else would want me out of the picture?”
He shifts from one leg to the other and folds his arms over his chest. “I wasn’t behind this, Jamison.”
“But you have an idea who was.”
He hesitantly nods. “I tried to warn you when you gave me that betting chip, but you wouldn’t listen.”
I try to sit straighter, but the discomfort stops me mid-motion. I grunt. “Fuck, that hurts.”
“Should I get someone?”
I grimace and force myself to relax. “No, but you should tell me who you think did this because I doubt you mean Ava.”
He sighs. “No, I didn’t mean Ava. Although I can’t be sure who did this to you.”
“You have an idea, though. ”
He shakes his head. “I have suspicions I can’t piece together.”
“Just tell me what you suspect or leave. I’m tired and need to rest.”
He runs his hand over his neck. “Have you talked with the police?”
I groan in pain. “No, Hunter, but I’m going to.”
“Can I ask you a favor?”
This guy has a lot of nerves.
I glare in his direction. “What?”
“Don’t tell them anything about the chip or our feud.”
“And why not?”
“Because I’m afraid you’ll put Dorothy in greater danger if you do.”
Cold prickles cover my skin. “What do you mean, greater danger?”
“I don’t think those bullets were meant for you. She told me there were lasers pointed at her chest, but you stepped in front of her and saved her life.”
My thoughts are fuzzy, but I remember Dori telling me that when I woke up. I’m too drugged up to figure out why.
In a moment of self-preservation, I relent. “I won’t say anything if you promise to keep me informed. If Dori’s in danger and you keep me in the dark, I’ll have no choice other than to get the police involved.”
“Thank you. And trust me when I say we have the same interest in keeping her safe.”
“We need to do just that. Considering my condition, I’m going to need some help.”
“She allowed me to set up a security team for her, but she made them stay in front of your door before she left. If we can convince her to let them continue to follow her, then I’ll have them keep you informed on everything.”
I peek around him and out to my room’s entrance, where two men guard my door. “Where did she go? ”
“I don’t know. She left about an hour ago and made my team stay here to watch over you.”
“Why would she do that?”
“She thinks you’re in more dire need than she is.” His voice, thick with worry, echoes the depth of his concern.
“And you disagree?”
“I think she’s in some kind of trouble. If you remember, she was being followed a week ago.”
“I didn’t know that. I remember her telling me someone at the bar was watching her, but she didn’t say she was being followed.” My heart rate spikes and my protective layer snaps on.
He rubs his neck. “She wasn’t convinced she was. She brushed it off, thinking she was overreacting or making it up in her head.”
“But you think otherwise?”
“I’m not sure. It’s hard to say.”
In a moment of pure adrenaline, I force myself up straight. “What is this about, Hunter? If it wasn’t your doing, why would someone be following her?”
“I don’t know.”
“Jesus Christ. And now we don’t know where she is.”
“Calm down. I’m getting more men to help as soon as I leave here. I’m sure I’ll find her.”
“What are you waiting for? Do it now.”
“I’m on it, Jamison. I’m just waiting for a call back from the agency I use.” His gaze fixes on my gunshot wound. “I’ll keep you informed about everything, but I need to speak with Ava and my father before I say more.”
“What do they?—”
“Hey, there. You’re awake again.” Dori steps into my room. She glances at Hunter and gives him a forced grin. “You know Jami shouldn’t be exposed to any stress, so why are you here, Hunter? ”
“That wasn’t my intention.” He turns to her. “I came to find you, thinking you’d be here with Jamison.”
“I was, but I went to get something to eat.” She shuffles to the side of my bed and peers down at me. “How are you?”
“Better now that you’re here.” I relax with her mere presence.
She studies me. “You don’t look good. What’s wrong?”
I gesture to Hunter. “He thinks you’re being followed, and you just disappear?—”
“There’s no proof of that. Now settle down, or the nurse will come in here and kick me out.” She glances at Hunter, then back at me. “They’ll have to drag me out, and I’ll cause a big scene if she tries. You don’t want that, do you?”
I sink back against the mattress, allowing the drugs to take over. “No. I like having you here.”
She smiles lovingly my way. “Then you’ll need to rest. Do you need something to help? Maybe a muscle relaxer?”
I shake my head. “No, I don’t want any more drugs. I’m just sore and tired.”
She takes my hand in hers. “I’m sorry. I’ll only stay a while longer, and then I’ll let you sleep.”
Hunter steps closer to her, scanning her body. “You’re still in the clothes from Saturday morning. Have you been here this whole time?”
She releases my hand and faces him. “I couldn’t go home. I needed to make sure he was okay.”
“What day is it?” I ask.
“It’s Sunday.” Hunter’s jaw tightens, and he addresses her. “Have you slept at all?”
She glances down at me. “A little.”
“Where?” His voice carries an anxious tone.
“I fell asleep on Jami’s bed for a while.”
His shoulders collapse. “You need to get more rest than that. Let me take you home.”
She shifts closer to my bed, and their interaction is throwing me off. She tells me she loves me and is going to be with me, but he acts like they’re still together. Her timidity toward him doesn’t sit right.
I try to clear the haze in my head. “Dori, how long have you been here?”
Her fingers trail over the top of my hand. “I’ve been at the hospital since you got here. Well, Hunter took me to his place so I could shower. I had blood all over me. But I came right back after that.”
“Which is why you should let me take you home.” Hunter reaches for her. “You need to get some rest.”
With a slight flinch, she brings her arms to her chest and clasps her hands around her elbows. “I’ll leave once I speak with his doctor, but you should go. I’m sure you have a lot to do.”
He steps back and starts to say something, but his phone chimes with an alert.
He takes his cell out of his pocket and reads something on it. “That’s strange.”
“What?” She tries to peek at his screen.
His brow furrows. “The board just called for an emergency meeting tomorrow morning.”
“Why?” She brings her thumbnail to her mouth.
He shakes off a thought. “I don’t know. Maybe they want to meet because of Jamison’s accident to ensure we have all we need while he recovers.”
She pulls in a breath. “It can’t be about the other stuff we’ve been discussing, can it?”
“No. That’s already on the agenda for next week. This alert said it was an emergency meeting. I didn’t get an agenda with it.” He glances at his phone again, then at her. “The meeting is taking place here in town. Did you get an invite?”
She shrugs. “I don’t know. My phone is dead, so I haven’t been able to get my messages.”
“That explains why I haven’t been able to reach you.” He gestures to the door. “Let’s leave Jamison to rest. We’ll charge your phone while you get some sleep.”
She inches away from him and closer to me. “You go without me. I’m not leaving for a while.”
He studies her for a moment and then releases a defeated sigh. “Fine, I’ll go, but please charge your phone. I need to be able to reach you.”
“Okay, I will.” Her fingertips graze over the top of my hand again. “I’ll call you later.”
As she moves, his eyes track her movement, and a flicker of sadness crosses his face. “I’ll be waiting.”
There’s a moment of awkward silence. He steps to her and moves in like he’s going to kiss her. She turns her head so his lips land on her cheek. He shifts back, disappointment hanging off him.
“Jamison, I’m glad you’re doing better. Dorothy, please keep the security team informed of your whereabouts and don’t pull them off you anymore. You need protection.” His head lowers as he spins on his heels. “I’ll see you later.”
He’s out of my room before Dori turns back to me. Hunter and Dori’s interaction does nothing to alleviate my suspicion that Dori hasn’t told Hunter about her declaration to me.
Here we go again.
She pulls a chair up to the side of my bed and sits. “I’m so glad you’re awake. It scares me when you sleep so long.”
“Sorry.”
“That’s not what I meant. I want you to heal, but I also like the reassurance of your voice.” She slides her hand into mine and lifts it to her lips to kiss the top of it. “I just need to know I’m not going to lose you.”
“Funny, I was just thinking the same thing.” A burning sensation shoots through my torso. I tense and hold in my gasp.
Her eyes hook with mine. “What? ”
“Am I about to lose you again?”
“Why would you ask that?”
“I’m injured, Dori. Not blind.” I pull my hand away.
Her face pales. “I’m not understanding why you’re saying this.”
“You obviously haven’t told him about wanting to be with me. I’m wondering if you’re going to.”
Her loving gaze sweeps over me. “Of course I am. I just haven’t had the time.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’ve been here and can’t leave until tomorrow.” She leans over and brushes some of my hair away from my face.
My heart warms with the gesture. “Why is that?”
“He has a security team watching over me. He arranged a team for you, but they don’t start until tomorrow morning. I figured I could stay here and they could watch us both.”
I’m about to argue, but a bolt of searing heat shoots through me again. “Fucking hell, this is brutal.”
She stands, and her eyes wildly scan my face. “Oh baby, what can I do to stop the pain?”
I suck in a breath and try to focus on anything other than the discomfort of my wound. “You can tell me when you plan on talking to Hunter. I won’t be a part of a love triangle with you again, so tell me how you plan on handling this.”