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CHAPTER 13

J essica

Dark and dangerous.

That’s the way I thought about Xander Blackwell.

I was still shivering from the conversation I’d had with him.

The entire discussion had been unnerving, but obviously another test. How many were there going to be?

I also thought about my father’s phone call, his insistence the man was the devil. If only I knew what my father was hiding from me. Maybe I should ask Xander. I almost laughed from the ridiculous thought. At least my father’s call reminded me to go into this with both eyes open.

Wide.

“Did you hear about the huge anniversary celebration the company you covet is having at the Waldorf on June fourth?” Ashley was enjoying teasing me way too much.

“Not that I’d ever get invited,” I huffed.

“Okay. Let me get this straight,” Stephanie said the moment her dirty martini was placed on the bar table. “You applied for and are considered one of the top three candidates at one of the most prestigious organizations in the entire city of Chicago to work for, yet you’re pissed.”

“It’s more complicated than just being pissed.” I’d told them little about my main reasoning for wanting to work for the Blackwell Group. They didn’t know that side of me, especially since it had taken years of festering to finally bring it to the forefront. Enough to garner courage to do what I was doing. Or hoping to do.

And I knew about the great gala. Everyone who was anyone was in attendance.

“Explain,” Ashley chided. “Didn’t you tell us your salary is going to be close to two hundred thousand?”

“With profit sharing.” I couldn’t lie, the salary was incredible, but I didn’t care about the money. Not really anyway.

“And you get to game your life away. Oh, just like you’re doing now.” Ashley laughed first after making the comment, Stephanie immediately afterward.

“It’s complicated because I will at least occasionally run into Xander Blackwell.” Although if this all worked out, I’d spend my time in one of the offsite facilities, barely coming into headquarters. I hadn’t expected the reaction I’d had when seeing Xander, but after so many years he hadn’t had a flicker of recognition, not that he would.

I’d changed from the freckle-faced kid who was stick thin to what I was today. Plus, I hadn’t spent any real time around him since he hadn’t come to see me. Plus, I hated adults at that point in my life, so I’d stayed away. I had friends. I had my studies. I had gaming.

“Have you paid attention to what he looks like?” Stephanie asked, obviously in awe. “He’s freaking gorgeous. So are his brothers. Although I heard they are weird.”

“Not just weird. Creepy.”

Ashley thought the guy at the taco stand was creepy. “He’s extremely intelligent and masterful within design.” I couldn’t believe I was complimenting the man. He was also the epitome of male perfection.

“So a game designer?” Ashley teased.

“I honestly have no clue. Nor do I care,” I told them as I sipped my wine, constantly glancing out the window to see if my stalker was following me. I’d felt him over the weekend, but hadn’t experienced any other surreal moments of being certain he was standing over my bed.

That was the creepiest feeling of all.

“So did you say you had to play a game as a test?” Stephanie was genuinely curious.

As if I could provide them with any details. They’d think I was nuts. I could not imagine what the public and critics would do once the game was released, which was this week. They would go mad with how detailed and real it seemed.

I’d studied games for so long, the work and the knowhow to play them was instinctive. Not with Dark Nights. I’d lost all sense of reality. The most brilliant aspect of the game was the ability for the sanest person to lose themselves in their own sadistic, murderous desires. I’d caught a mere glimpse of the capabilities the game offered, options catering to every fantasy.

No matter how twisted.

I would frankly be shocked if once released, Dark Nights didn’t have issues with laws concerning general consumer protection. Even with their protections, the game went so far out into a new realm that I hadn’t lied when I suggested monsters could be born.

His answers had been odd and profound at the same time. But he’d undoubtedly learned from the various criticisms he’d received how to handle the most intense pressure. I certainly wasn’t anywhere close to his caliber of talent.

“Yes, a virtual reality game.”

Ashley and Stephanie looked from one to the other. “And? You’re like some super critic when it comes to games.”

“It was okay.”

Ashley snorted. “I know you. You loved it. Was it sexual?”

I was shocked she asked me that. “What?”

“I heard the rumors. Every male at work is excited like kids at Christmas. And the youngest guy at my job is like twenty-six. What is it with video games?”

“They bring out the worst in people if you ask me,” Stephanie piped in.

“They can if you take them seriously,” I admitted.

“So you were technically perfect in avoiding the original question and the second one too. You obviously hate a man you don’t even know so that means you have a reason why.” Ashley wasn’t going to let this go.

“Let’s just say Xander had a falling out with my father and it wasn’t very pleasant.” That wasn’t technically telling a lie. That was part of the equation by only a sliver of the reason.

“Oh, wow. Very forbidden.” Stephanie fanned her face on purpose.

“I guess it would be if I was attracted to him, which I am not. He’s a jerk. A grade-A jerk who thinks his shit doesn’t stink.” Except I was attracted to him, more so than I could believe.

“Well, then just stay away from him.” Stephanie’s suggestion was a good one.

“I would if the bastard hadn’t asked me out for a drink.”

Ashley spit hers out on the table. “What?”

“Yep. I suspect only because I did tell him in no uncertain detail what areas of the game needed some alterations.”

“You did what?” Stephanie demanded.

“Don’t go there. I smelled his arrogance and couldn’t help myself. And I’m not wrong about what I said either.” Not that he would take my suggestions. I’d seen the look in his eyes, as if he already owned half the world.

“The woman has balls.” Stephanie shook her head. “That could be considered sexual harassment.”

“Please. He’s no idiot. Each brother is taking a candidate out for a drink to get to know them. I just got the lucky straw in being paired with Xander.” My voice was dripping of sarcasm.

“When is this great union occurring?” It was so good to see Ashley had recovered. Not. She was teasing me as she always did since men weren’t tops in my life. Ever.

I checked my watch, remembering the way I’d used it as a prop and I’d been certain Xander had caught it. “About forty-five minutes.”

“What?”

I glanced toward Stephanie, feeling a strange sense of dread in going. I had a bad feeling he was going to do everything in his power to kick me off the list. “Yep. He insisted.”

“Wow. Mr. Ruthless and Powerful.” Ashley was still grinning.

“That’s why you’re dressed so nice,” Stephanie chided.

I glanced down at the simple and filmy black shirt I’d chosen to wear. Since I wasn’t into dressing up, this was the best I could do. I had no intention of wearing the little dress I’d been forced to purchase. I’d completed the ensemble with a silver choker. “I just wanted to look decent since I wore jeans to the gaming event. As requested, so do not go there.” I pointed my finger from one to the other.

“You should have worn the new dress you bought,” Ashley cooed.

“This isn’t a date. This is what Stephanie suggested, a more casual interview.” I would need my nasty comments, or he’d start snooping. Just the way he’d continually said my name had put me on edge.

“That’s the way top companies do business,” Stephanie suggested. “They want you comfortable, more like yourself so they have a better understanding of the person they might be hiring. Much less Neanderthal than sitting across a desk from them answering bullshit questions.”

“You have such a way with words,” I told her and laughed.

A figure caught my eye and I shifted my attention to the plate glass window.

Stephanie glanced over her shoulder. “You’ve done that like four times since we’ve been here. Is everything okay?”

“Everything is fine.” But was it? Or was my life just slowly and inevitably turning upside down? Sadly, while I hadn’t seen a story regarding a dead man being found in the vicinity of the movie theater, that meant nothing given the murder rate in Chicago. Very few ever made the news.

I had a bad feeling the man’s body would never be found.

Sinner made my blood boil.

And my pussy throb.

As sick as it was, I wanted a rematch. Only perhaps this time I wouldn’t kill him.

The forty-five minutes went by quickly as we purposely turned away from all my strange occurrences to events happening in their lives.

Suddenly, Ashley’s eyes opened wide. “Who is that man?”

I had to lean in so I could see who she was talking about. “That’s Xander Blackwell.”

“You should be thrilled. At least he’s a looker,” Stephanie said, whistling under her breath.

“I hadn’t noticed.” I had. In a suit he appeared as formidable as he wanted everyone to believe. He considered himself top dog and refused to take a step down to anyone. An impeccable dresser, his aura alone overpowered any room he was in.

He was wearing only a dark shirt, open at the collar with dark trousers, and he looked far more approachable. And the shirt was form fitting, allowing every woman in the place a reason to drool given his muscular physique.

I wasn’t one of them.

But I would admit with the light breeze, the well-coiffed look of his dark, thick hair had shifted into something more relaxed, as if he’d just rolled out of bed after a wild night of sex.

I could not believe I’d just had the thought. I’d thought for certain he’d pull his car up in front of the place, honking his horn.

He yanked off his shades as he walked, constantly scanning the restaurant and bar until he found me. I could hear the collective moans from where we were sitting. All the women were in lust with him.

After sliding the earpiece of his sunglasses into his shirt, he headed in our direction and for about a million reasons, I tensed. The thought of spending time with him felt oppressive. Maybe I could learn a few things about him that when I had my ultimate plan in place I’d used against him.

He took his sweet time walking through the crowd of people, taking the two steps leading to the platform with one long stride. He barely looked at either of my friends. I’d been able to tell earlier in the day he wasn’t a people person by any length of the imagination.

“Ms. Turner. Are you ready?”

Ashley caught the name difference immediately and I managed to shoot her a nasty look just as she opened her mouth.

“I am. Where are we going?”

“Just a little place that’s much quieter.” I could tell he had utter distaste for where we were. Considered more of a hangout for twenty-somethings, it was loud and filled with televisions and sports memorabilia. My guess was he was into fancy.

“Have fun,” Stephanie said under her breath.

This should prove to be an interesting if not infuriating experience.

He said nothing else, but remained behind me as we headed out of the restaurant. I could only imagine the additional questions I’d receive about the name change. But it was worth it. For now. I’d honestly never envisioned there’d be a possibility I’d get this close to the job.

I didn’t know what to expect he’d be driving. Seeing a Lamborghini fit him far too perfectly. He was rich. He was arrogant. And he didn’t give a crap what anyone else thought about him. Good for him.

I couldn’t care less.

He opened the door for me, waiting as I climbed inside and settled into the seat. I watched him he headed around the front of the car. With his sunglasses on, the lenses as dark as they were, and with the way he carried himself, he appeared like some dark knight himself. The thought brought a laugh, but I squelched it as soon as he climbed inside.

Yet it seemed he’d heard it, taking a few seconds to glance over at me while I fastened the seatbelt.

“Where are we going?” I finally asked.

“To a favorite bar.”

He roared the engine to life and while I didn’t feel creepy, there was something about him that made me feel uncomfortable. He remained silent as he drove, only once glancing over at me. Was he expecting I might jump out at a stoplight?

The bar in question was one I’d seen but had never entered. The gothic exterior fit the name perfectly. The Den. That was it. As in the den of iniquity? Maybe that suited him given his odd reputation.

He parked in a spot marked for owners and I suddenly had so many questions. “You own this?”

“Partially. Just a joint venture with a buddy of mine. Does that bother you?”

“Should it?”

He opened the car door and removed his sunglasses. That’s when I really captured a good look at the intensity of his deep green eyes. They reminded me of a dense forest or lush foliage. They were rimmed in gold, which offered an ethereal appearance.

I had to work to keep up with him given his long strides. Now I regretted wearing my heels. They were low, but I wasn’t very good at walking in them. He’d already opened the door by the time I caught up with him. I’d be damned if he didn’t look annoyed that I’d taken so long.

Once inside, I was impressed yet daunted by the interior design. It appeared as if out of some gothic horror movie, only devoid of blood and body parts. The walls were red, the floor black tile, and the bar deep mahogany.

He led me through the small room toward another one where only a few tables were placed. He took up residence in one and within seconds, a waiter appeared.

“Red wine for the lady and I’ll have my usual.”

“You’re ordering for me?” I asked, my tone as defiant as it had been in his office.

“It was the choice of beverages you would have chosen for yourself. Is it not?”

So very formal and so very oppressive. “Maybe. But I do prefer making my own choices.”

“I’ll keep that in mind, Ms. Turner.” He sat back, very comfortable in his skin and his surroundings.

The way he was staring at me was an attempt to make me nervous. I didn’t take the bait, leaning forward. “When did you and your brothers start the company?”

“Is that what you really want to know?”

“Oh, I have several questions, but we’ll start there.”

He seemed amused, also leaning forward. I was able to catch a whiff of his aftershave. It was unlike any other fragrance. Strong and masculine with earthy tones while being subtle. The choice suited him, much like his vehicle.

“We started it fifteen years ago after competing with each other in a tournament. We were the top three in the United States. Our scores were higher than even the manufacturer of the game had anticipated.”

“Who won?”

His eyes lit up and I was immediately pulled into the fire spinning around his irises. I only noticed the slight stubble covering his chiseled jaw when he smiled. There was something almost malevolent about the gesture, although I had no reason to believe that. “It depends on who you ask.”

“Highly competitive.”

“Very. We never lose and even if we do, we find a way to win.” The drinks were presented and he didn’t so much as acknowledge the person bringing them. He simply didn’t need to. He was king of the hill and the bar was one of his thrones. Somehow, I had a feeling he had many.

“That was the beginning of your kingdom.”

His laugh was deep, sending a wave of vibrations shooting through me. “No one has ever coined a phrase quite like that. Yes, it was. We had drinks to celebrate and an idea was born on a cocktail napkin. Within two years, we’d developed four games and amassed enough money to start a small company. Just the three of us. Sales that year hit forty million and it only improved from there.”

“A Cinderella story.”

“Hardly, Ms. Turner. We worked night and day. Eating. Sleeping. Dreaming. Building. Planning. It was all about the game.”

“You can call me Sophie if you’d prefer. Ms. Turner sounds so formal.”

“Would you rather I call you Desdemona?”

A slight chill trickled down my spine and I started to grill him on how he knew my gaming name. It was a ‘duh’ moment since I’d just competed in their world using that name. “Either one is fine.”

“I prefer Desdemona. It suits you. A little wild although attempting to hide your true self. Isn’t that correct?”

Every word dripped with sexual innuendos, or at least so it seemed. Maybe I was making too much out of the conversation, but it appeared as if he was flirting with me. The man was even more impressive up close, both as a specimen of manhood and a powerhouse of industry. I found that hugely attractive.

“We all hide behind a persona we hope will bring us joy, happiness, and fruitfulness in every aspect of our lives.”

“Don’t you mean a mask?”

I cocked my head, studying his eyes. He was being elusive on purpose, trying to bring out something in me that didn’t exist.

I refused to even think it could.

“To each their own.” He truly had no idea who I was. There was no hint of recognition, so it became easy to play the name game with him. Did I feel guilty? Not in the least. He wouldn’t learn my true identity until it was too late.

Sadly, I wanted so much to hate him, but I found his personality engaging. Although I had a good sense he was a tough leader and a true predator at heart. What had my sister seen in the man?

“Yes, perhaps you’re right.”

I took a chance and one I hoped I wouldn’t regret. “I think love is the ultimate path of gaining one’s self. It empowers you to be able to take those risks. At least that’s true in my mind since I’ve never felt anything other than familial love.”

While he barely reflected my statement, his eyes darkened, a slight flare occurring in his nostrils. “As I’m sure you’ve heard before, there is no place in a competitive world such as ours for love. What do you enjoy other than games?”

“Very little.” I was surprised I’d admitted it. And I was furious that he acted as if what he’d shared with my sister had meant nothing to him. I did everything I could to tamp down my anger.

I’d been right about him. He was a true bastard. It would be such a joy to rip him to shreds.

“How very sad, Desdemona. One cannot find true happiness without experimenting with the unknown, the risky adventure of facing a fear threatening to consume us. If you gain the ability to do so, I assure you that one day you’ll find the right balance in combining light and darkness.”

The words were even more profound.

“Have you, Mr. Blackwell?”

He lifted his glass, holding the rim close to his lips and for a brief second, my mind wandered as to what it would be like to be kissed by them. “Yes, I believe I have and be careful, sweet Desdemona. I’m very good at reading other people’s thoughts. One piece of advice. Let your guard down. Once you do, there is no end to sheer, passionate enjoyment.”