My stomach roils as I shift uncomfortably in my seat. Jamison unknowingly inserted himself in whatever plan my mom had when he met with Ava to dig up dirt on me. I warned him to watch his back, but he refused to listen.
My face heats as I conclude I might be responsible in some way. Shame floods through me.
With all my nerves firing off, telling me I’m dealing with a mob woman I can’t handle, I find the video feed Jonah told me about. I’ve got to see for myself what my mother is capable of.
I find the news story and hit play. The scene is enough to make my heart sink. It’s worse than Jonah let on.
Jamison appears lifeless as someone tries to help him, and Dorothy’s face is smeared with blood. Her clothes are covered in it, from her neck down to her jeans.
She won’t stop crawling to Jamison and trying to lie on top of him. The traumatic incident and seeing her helplessly try to get to him are enough to break me in half.
My heart shrinks. She’s been hanging by a thread, knowing Isabella is claiming to be pregnant with my kid. Now this. This is going to put her over the edge.
I wish with every bone in my body I was there to help her through this. She’s going to need all the support she can get. I can only hope she’ll let me take care of her.
I had to leave town the day after I told Dorothy about Isabella’s pregnancy. Since then, our conversations have been strained and brief.
This is going to be the last straw. I try to talk myself out ofthe thought, but I wouldn’t be surprised if Dorothy ends our relationship after this.
My pulse quickens, and my blood heats with that revelation. My brain goes into overdrive. I need to regain control of my life and figure out how to do it fast.
I get one of my crew’s attention and ask for a scotch. My nerves are like a live wire, shocking me every few seconds. I’m jumpy and sweaty, not knowing how I’m going to make it through this flight.
Halfway home, Jonah emails me with a conference line for us to connect. I click the link and the screen fills with Jonah on the other side of the camera.
“Good thinking, little brother.” I lean in, not recognizing the background. “Where are you?”
“The hospital’s cafeteria. I left the waiting room where everyone was and came down here to speak with you alone. Tell me how I can help.”
I stay near the screen, my blood pulsing hard. “How’s Dorothy?”
“She was shot in the shoulder, but she’s fine other than that.”
Fuck.
The fact she was injured is too close to me losing her.
Fear races through my veins. “She was hit? How bad?”
“It was just a graze. She got stitches, and they released her.”
Instantly, my muscles release as relief takes over. I rest back in my seat. “What about Jamison?”
“He was shot in the back and head. The bullet made a clean exit out of his chest, and the head wound was only surface level.” Jonah stares at me. “He’s fighting for his life.”
“Fuck. Keep me posted on his status.”
“Done.”
I grasp the arms of my seat to brace myself. “Jonah, don’t sugarcoat it. How is she mentally?”
“Not good. She won’t leave the hospital. She’s in tattered clothes that are covered in blood and she’s carrying a bag of Jamison’s belongings around.”
“I need to be there for her.” I pull in a deep breath. “Is she aware of my phone issues?”
“Yes. But she’s a shell of a person, so I’m not sure how much she’s retaining. She won’t eat and barely speaks. I’ve never seen her like this, Hunter. I’m really worried about her.”
My head falls forward. “This is the last thing she needs.”
