CHAPTER 17

S ara

Someone was watching me.

Just like before.

I was certain of it. There was no chance I was imagining it. There were too many lingering clues, too many times I’d felt a little creepy.

My mysterious intruder was staring at me from the shadows. Following. Waiting.

Or maybe I’d had one too many masked man fantasies. Or maybe the thought of playing Dark Nights was invading my conscience.

I could feel his presence, a moment of electricity startling my senses. I slunk back into the shadows myself, scanning the main room. There were a few lights left on in cubicles, but all the overhead lights had been shut off.

I waited where I was for a full five minutes, counting what was left of my faculties. They were fading quickly if this scheme was any indication. With no strange sounds, I assumed my mind and ears had been playing tricks on me. Get in. Get out. That was the best thing for me to do right now.

My skin crawled with every step I took, goosebumps forming on every inch of naked skin. I’d done some foolish things in my life, but breaking into a man’s office took the cake and then some. The most ridiculous thing was that I’d been forced to hang around after work for hours waiting for everyone to leave.

The company’s information was proprietary, enemies wishing they could find an opportunity to steal any scrap of design ideas or information. As this was the corporate headquarters, security was tight, but thankfully, not nearly as much as the production facility. It took an act of God to be able to obtain access to that building.

However, keycards were used when entering the building. Fortunately, there was no requirement to swipe my card when leaving. That was the only reason I was risking my job and my freedom for some crazy thought. Why did I even care so much about the Obsidian Society and the game? For all I knew, the powers that be weren’t planning on instigating a game this year.

Or what everyone thought was the truth was bullshit.

But here I was acting as if I was some expert sleuth. After pretending I’d left and lying low in other parts of the building until the majority of employees had left, I’d remained hiding under my desk while I’d fought nerves from believing people were lurking in the shadows. It was ridiculous really the way my mind could conjure up twisted scenarios. That often led to bouts of anxiety. There was no one in the building. I hadn’t heard a copy machine or voices for almost an hour and a half. What I needed to be careful of was the cleaning crew. At some point they’d show up. If they did, I’d be screwed.

I took a series of deep breaths, forcing myself to crawl from under my desk. As I stood, I listened for any sounds. The quiet was eerie, keeping the edge I’d felt sky high. If I left right now, I could still say I’d just been finishing a project. At least that would mostly be true. I’d been tasked to work on a presentation that I’d finished hours before, although I’d been given until noon the next day.

No one needed to be the wiser.

I wrung my hands, still debating running for the door. No. I was here. I would simply take a peek in the man’s office and see what I could find. I would either find the door locked or not. And I would either find his credenza files inaccessible or not. I wasn’t about to pick a lock.

Or so I hoped.

The creepy-crawlies remained as I headed toward the stairs, stopping every few feet and turning in a full circle. If I was correct and someone was watching me, the police could arrive at any minute. Wouldn’t my brother get a kick out of his big sister who’d just admonished him about being arrested?

I hurried up the sweeping set of stairs to the executive floor, moving quickly to Zach’s corner office. I sucked in and held my breath when I reached the door. Fate would guide me on this insane task.

When the handle turned, I almost groaned. I might have some dark and dangerous fantasies, but I was no criminal. Still, I found myself planting one foot in front of the other and walking inside.

The moon was full, the bright glow streaming in through the windows, but the powerful man had also left a light on. I glanced around the impressive room before hurrying toward his desk. Not one of the drawers appeared to have a lock on them. I could see why as soon as I opened the three drawers. There was nothing but typical office stuff from highlighters to pens, a notepad, and a tray with paperclips and rubber bands.

I didn’t bother with his massive computer system. I wasn’t foolish enough to think he didn’t have everything password protected. Also, there was a complete lockdown on information. That could mean a full-blown security system, which would notify the police. That wasn’t anything I was willing to risk.

Disappointed with finding nothing, I headed to his credenza, noticing two of the three drawers were locked. The top drawer held nothing but files that didn’t seem to have much importance. I stared at the other two, contemplating using the letter opener I’d seen in his desk to try to pick the lock.

What are you doing, girl?

I had no decent answer, especially when I returned to his desk drawers, finding the metal opener. The locks were typical, factory installed and simple enough the small instrument should work. I’d been that big sister more than once during raising Kyle, forced to check up on him when he locked everything away.

It didn’t take any time for me to unlock the middle drawer. I crouched down on my knees, flipped through the tight files. Nothing jumped out at me. There were old advertising files and marketing ideas from years ago. I also noticed a file on several companies considered competition. But nothing that jumped out regarding the Obsidian Society.

I sat back, rubbing my eyes. This was without a doubt the dumbest idea I’d ever come up with. I was here. I’d get this over with, then scrap the entire idea. I dug again, tugging and pulling a few of the files. When I was forced to pull the drawer to its full extension, I noticed what appeared to be a false back. Was that possible?

The brat in me was instantly intrigued. I glanced toward the door, biting my lower lip. Then I went for it. As I tugged on the compartment, I said a silent prayer I wouldn’t wake up in jail. It took a few seconds, but the back gave way.

Inside was a single file. It was black. There was no description, but Obsidian was black. So… I pulled it into my hands, sitting back on my butt to take a glance. Excitement tore through me. I quickly realized what I was looking at was a dossier of names of possible contestants. Plus some documentation I didn’t take the time to read.

Instead, I rushed to the small copy machine in his office, taking a peek out the window flanking his door before grouping the stack of papers into the machine. When I hit copy, I took a step back, certain I was going to burn in hell for what I was doing.

It seemed to take forever for the multiple pages to copy, but when the stack was finally done, I breathed a very audible sigh of relief. I’d make a terrible sleuth. I’d keep my day job. My night one too.

Almost laughing from nervousness, I collected both stacks, placing the copy on the desk while hunkering down and replacing the file just so in the hidden compartment. I was barely taking deep enough breaths when I patted down the other files so everything looked exactly the way I’d found it. No one should know I’d been here. Unless fingerprints were taken.

As soon as I closed the drawer, I heard a sound. Shit. Was the sudden noise footsteps I heard? I silently closed the drawer, glancing toward the door in hopes of a quick getaway.

The noise I’d heard was closer. Whoever it was happened to be right outside in the hallway. There was only one hiding place that might work.

Underneath Zach’s desk.

I was getting damn good at fitting in tight spaces. I snatched the papers off the desk, folding them and shoving the group under my blouse. The thought that I could hide from him was ridiculous, but what choice did I have? As I moved his chair, crawling underneath, I found myself shivering like a leaf. At least I hadn’t left any telltale signs of remaining at the office at my desk. My purse and keys were in a drawer, my light turned off. No one would be the wiser.

As long as I could get out of the building without being seen.

I held my breath as the footsteps neared. That’s when I heard a voice. Not just any voice, but Zach’s voice.

Oh, dear God. This was a nightmare.

I couldn’t tell if he was on the phone or if he had someone with him. Either way, I was fucked.

There was silence only thirty seconds later. Maybe he’d just come by to grab something and had left. I wasn’t going to risk leaving my hidey hole just yet.

So I waited.

And checked my phone every few seconds until ten full minutes of peace and quiet had passed. Only then did I slide out from under the desk.

The split second before I stood, a crackle of electricity soared into every cell and muscle. I was so fucked. I didn’t need to turn around to know my entire career had just been tossed into the sewer.

Zach Blackwell was sitting in the chair opposite his desk, his feet crossed at the ankles and resting on the surface of his furniture. He had his hands folded and an evil grin on his face.

His reflection made him appear somewhat distorted. I couldn’t stand to turn around. Not just yet. I smoothed down my top as I attempted to find some logical reason I was hiding under his desk.

I dropped a contact. Nope. I was wearing glasses. I’d lost my favorite pen. Then why was I in his office in the first place? I was screwed.

Why was the man being so patient, so kind when he should be raving like some lunatic? He wasn’t making a single sound. He was allowing me to wallow in self-pity and recrimination while enjoying every minute of it.

There was nothing I could do at this point. I certainly couldn’t jump out the window. I had to turn around and face the music. Whatever punishment he would dole out, I might end up groveling. Even though I’d never been that kind of girl. Not in the least.

I held my head high, finally turning around. “Mr. Blackwell.”

“Sara Capshaw. Or should I call you Wild Kitty?”

Oh, fuck me. I hadn’t fooled anyone. I could feel tingles of perspiration already trickling down my back. This was the worst possible scenario. His evil grin remained. The man was a powerhouse no matter the circumstances.

“That’s not something I allow anyone to know about. What I do in my off time is none of their business.”

He took a deep breath, rubbing his fingers across the sexiest two-day stubble I’d ever seen. “You’re right with a single exception.”

“And what is that?” I was surprised my voice remained as strong as it did.

“When the off-hours activities include stealing from the company.”

Well, shit. I wasn’t aware of what I was doing until I’d folded my shaking body into his executive-style leather chair. Wasn’t this a strange switch? “I wasn’t stealing. Not exactly.”

“Oh, you weren’t?” He was thoroughly enjoying my discomfort. To make matters worse, the lust in his eyes was just as intoxicating as the night we’d… fucked. “Then please, by all means, tell me what you were doing.”

“I was… gathering information.”

“Mmm… Okay. Then please allow me to see what you’re hiding under your lovely silk blouse.”

I involuntarily looked down, my legs trembling the entire time. Sighing, I tugged on my shirt, pulling the copies free. As I placed them on his desk, sliding them across the rich mahogany, he never took his eyes off me. He continued to do the same even as he grabbed the stack I’d so painstakingly copied.

He finally glanced down, flipping from one page to another. Finally, his eyes opened slightly wider and I was reminded just how fucked I was.

“Tell me what you think this is.”

His voice was more commanding than I’d ever heard. “Um, just some information on a contest you hold yearly.”

He laughed and tossed the papers back on the desk. “You mean the Obsidian Society.”

“Maybe.”

“An upper echelon of people selected after going through several tests, some involving the game, some involving real-life scenarios that are considered truly savage beyond belief. The kind of tests that should get the head of the company put in prison.”

I wasn’t certain if he was telling me the truth or goading me. “I don’t know what to say.”

“But I’m certain you have an opinion because that’s what everyone believes based on an article written by a rag reporter. I’m not going to lie to you that the notoriety the article provided likely helped boost Dark Nights and our other games in the ratings. Imagine if people were actually hunted in a dark forest, the hunters wearing crazy and terrifying masks.” He laughed in a way that made me laugh as well.

He was right in that what I was thinking was insane.

“When you put it that way, it does sound ridiculous. But sexy.” The words just slipped from my mouth before I could stop them. I sat back in his chair, holding my breath and wishing I hadn’t put my foot into my mouth.

Zach removed his feet from the desk, leaning over and steepling his hands. “Very few people would call the idea of being chased in the woods or abducted in the middle of the night sexy, Ms. Capshaw, especially most women.”

“I’m not like other women.” I locked eyes with his. The challenge was something I hadn’t anticipated doing. Oddly enough, it felt good. Damn good.

“No, you certainly are not. Now that we’ve established the society isn’t real, you do have me curious. Would you enjoy being chased by a masked man, finding yourself in a dark and dangerous scenario where you aren’t certain if you’ll survive?”

I had to be honest with myself. Excitement was tearing through me as it had never done before. I leaned forward myself, licking my lips before answering. He was watching me intently. “The honest answer is yes, I would. Very much.”

He lifted his eyebrows, which highlighted his chiseled features. “I must admit you surprise me, Ms. Capshaw, and very few people in my world ever do.”

“Maybe you should consider yourself lucky, Mr. Blackwell. Most people shock the hell out of me.”

“Tell me what you’d enjoy about the concept.”

Now he wanted me to dig deep into a part of myself I’d rarely allowed myself to think about, let alone speak to in public with anyone. It wasn’t a polite conversation by any means. Even though we’d been intimate, I felt completely inadequate to expound on the dirty thoughts rumbling through my brain.

But seeing the look in his eyes, the almost urgent need to learn more about me, I felt some tension releasing. In its place was another level of excitement. “I think would be incredible to be forced to rely on the darkest part of myself playing a game, remaining on edge yet unafraid to test new waters and try new things no matter how difficult the scenario. To feel the waves of excitement from being chased, doing everything in an attempt to remain free is something few people are allowed to experience in their lifetimes. Add in the possibility of obtaining a new job, a few perks, maybe some cash, then I’m all for it.”

“No matter how dangerous, violent, or sexual in nature the contest turned out to be?” His eyes were twinkling in the dim lighting.

“Yes, no matter what I’d need to face. I can only imagine how winning would make me feel. More alive than I’ve experienced ever.” I was now breathless as I described the scenario. My lust for adventure wasn’t lost on him.

He took a few seconds, tipping his head to the right. “If there was a contest as we described together, I think you would make an excellent contestant. Your resolve and intelligence are incredible. Sadly, there is no such thing. But I applaud your ingenuity in attempting to learn everything you could to present yourself as a delicious, perfect candidate. Including theft.”

The wind was yanked from my sails. I’d believed the hype, the ridiculous rumors. Why would a man like Zach Blackwell risk everything he’d created and all he owned for a ridiculous game? “Wait a minute. You planted the information. Didn’t you?”

He laughed. “That’s entirely possible, Ms. Capshaw. You weren’t fooling anyone, least of all me. I had an inkling you were interested. I wanted to see how far you’d go. Now, I know.”

I’d be damned.

“Well, okay then. I think. I’m sorry I broke into your files. I just was trying to better myself.” Now that sounded ridiculous.

“Yes, I can totally understand that. However, what you did is a fire-able offense.”

“Oh, please don’t do that. You have no clue how much I need this job.” My stomach was instantly doing flip-flops.

“I think I have a pretty good idea.”

Why did I suddenly have the idea this man was my benefactor? I was suddenly stiff and cold. The other shoe was going to drop. “Well, if there’s anything I can do to keep you from firing me, I’ll do it. I really don’t break the law on a normal basis. I’ve just had a rough few weeks. Years. What am I saying?” I laughed nervously.

He rocked in his seat, looking out the window for a few seconds. “I tell you what. This is an act that does need punishment. Wouldn’t you agree?”

“Um, yes. I would.”

“Then I think we can work something out.”

“What do you have in mind?”

I didn’t know this man. Being intimate only meant you’d learned when pleasure struck them by their grunts and growls.

And Zach Blackwell was as demonstrative as any man I’d been with.

That didn’t mean I had a single clue about how his mind worked or what game he was playing.

But my instinct told me his hold over me, the determined domination fueled by my indiscretions, had been a plan in the making.

“Let me think,” he mused while scratching his jaw.

He was purposely drawing this out, ensuring I was an uncomfortable as humanly possible. A thought dawned finally as if a light from heaven had shined down on the earth. While I might not know anything truly personal about Zach, I was keenly aware he wasn’t careless or stupid.

“I think I have the perfect method. Quick, resourceful, and while painful, a damn good reminder that rules were established for a reason.”

“Just spit it out, Mr. Blackwell. I can tell you’re eager to do so. What will it be, community service? Shining your shoes for a week? Serving you caviar and champagne?” A little warning sound buzzed in my brain that I was pushing my luck, but I was exhausted, furious with myself, and angry with the world. Not a good combination.

“Fine, Ms. Capshaw. I’ll go easy on you since you seem to be a very good employee with an exemplary record. However, such an egregious activity can’t go without paying the price. Consequences in this business mean everything. What do I want in return?”

He tilted his head and crushed his body against the edge of the desk.

“What?” I whispered.

“For you to bare your bottom, lean over my desk, and beg me to spank you.”