Page 20

CHAPTER 19

J essica

Rain had begun to fall, clouds covering the moon and once bright stars that I always gravitated toward. Another dark night. Another short walk to my car, this time with a feeling of apprehension.

The anxiety was ridiculous given my car was parked in the secure hotel parking garage, lights everywhere. I’d never seen an underground facility lit up almost like a Christmas tree. There were a few people around, some arriving, some leaving early like I was doing. After my run-in with Xander, I’d forced myself to stay for another hour before deciding to bag it. At least I’d had an opportunity to speak with Elizabeth Reynolds, who was in charge of production.

She’d been reflecting on the few ideas I’d dared to mention, including a couple of suggestions for Dark Nights. That had been worth the pricy dress and heels along with facing Xander’s scrutiny.

I’d felt it all the way across the room. He didn’t like me any more than I liked him. I wanted to say that was fine by me except his approval was necessary to win the game and the job. After being introduced to both Zachariah and Wilder, I now assumed approval was all or nothing by the entire board. Even Christopher had seemed aloof. They’d be missing out on a great thing if they shoved me aside.

Was I really doing this?

I rounded the corner, seeing my car only a few yards away and was able to breathe a sigh of relief.

Xander had certainly overreacted to the pig who’d all but insisted I go on a date with him. Yet as unnerving as that had been, the way Xander had been watching me was even worse. Of course, I had to remain on my best behavior. I couldn’t do anything to make the company look bad.

Even though I’d thought about popping Dorn in the nose for his insinuations that I’d been created with sin in mind.

Whatever the hell that meant.

Stephanie had wanted to stay at the party, obviously having the time of her life. I’d feigned a headache just so I could escape without her badgering me with questions. The keys were in my hand, the mace right on top in my purse. No one was going to fuck with me.

I was almost to my car when, as I’d experienced the night I’d been attacked, I felt a presence. I stiffened, fighting to keep the panic from taking over.

“Hey, sexy lady. I just wanted to apologize. I’m not usually an asshole.”

Speak of the devil, it was Dorn’s voice. Dorn something. I hadn’t caught his last name because I wasn’t interested. He had that smarmy feel about him, as if he bathed in grease. I sucked in my breath before turning to face him, slipping my hand into my purse at the same time.

He had a sheepish smile on his face, hanging his head a little as if ashamed. “It’s fine.”

“Well, your friend Xander didn’t seem to think so. He believed I disrespected you.”

“He’s not my friend and I can handle myself. I have a headache so I’m going home. Have a nice evening.”

“Oh, sure. Sure. I’m sorry about your head hurting. Is there anything I can do?”

Was this jerk kidding me? He took a step closer and I took a step backward toward my car, my fingers firmly planted around the slender can. “No, but thank you.” I offered a smile, but almost instantly, I realized I’d egged him on.

He was on me in a split second, smacking one hand around my mouth, using the other to knock my purse and keys to the concrete. I struggled as he lifted me into the air.

“You’re a little tease. Aren’t you? You come into a rich celebration looking like a tart in that dress. You were asking for it. You wanted it and now I’m going to oblige. After all, I am a gentleman. You hide behind a computer screen acting as if you’re something special. You’re nothing but a woman eager to be taken. Isn’t that it?”

My God. What if this jerk was Sinner? I hadn’t thought about the fact the opponents had been invited. My pulse began to race. The devil mask he’d chosen had suited him. When he pulled his hand from my mouth, I hissed. “Sinner.”

“Oh, I am a sinner, a damn good one. Now you’re going to experience filth in the truest sense of the word.”

He tried to drag me away, but I managed to knee him in the groin, yelping at the same time. He dropped me hard, jerking back and cupping his groin as he doubled over.

I yanked my keys and purse from the garage floor, managing to grab the mace. My entire body was shaking, but I fired a spray just as he lumbered toward me. The liquid caught him in one eye.

He roared, huffing like a beast. “You fucking whore.”

For an injured man, he moved quickly, striking me with his fist. I was pitched back against my car, pain instantly exploding in my eye and back. He gripped my throat, pulling me to a standing position.

I was certain I was going to pass out.

My ears were ringing, my vision blurred from the brutal strike, but there was no mistaking the intense growl I heard coming from behind Dorn.

“That was a big mistake, asshole. Now you’re going to pay the price.”

The savage thuds came fast and furious, grunting turning into strangled sounds. I was terrified, scrambling to get off the hard concrete, but my body wasn’t cooperating.

“You jerk,” Dorn huffed and I notice a blur, realizing the fucking asshole had launched his body forward. Another crack and I heard a laugh.

“You’re pathetic. I knew all along you were a fucking violent man. Time to pay for your sins.”

Xander? Blinking, I tried to focus. Everything was still blurry, but I was certain Dorn was tossed over a car, his moans becoming more intense. Then I heard footsteps and realized someone was crouching down in front of me. With a gentle touch, he lifted my chin, peering into my eyes.

I blinked again and was able to focus this time. Xander’s mesmerizing green eyes stared back at me. “Are you okay?”

“I will be.” My mind was fuzzy from the realization as much as the pain.

“Just stay right here and let me deal with this asshole. Everything is going to be alright. Neither he nor anyone else will ever be able to hurt you again.”

I took a strange comfort in hearing his words. After taking a deep breath, I offered a slight smile. While I might hate the man, he’d gone out of his way to save me. Suddenly, Dorn appeared just behind Xander and I issued a strangled cry, able to point toward the asshole.

Xander reacted instantly, jerking up and spinning. I’d seen men in a fistfight before, but the brutal pummeling he was giving Dorn was like nothing I’d ever seen before. One punch was thrown after another, Dorn’s body becoming limper with every passing second. He appeared like a rag doll, his arms and legs flailing.

“You will never do this to a woman again. Do you fucking hear me?” Xander roared.

Dorn winced, crying out in sheer agony.

A part of me wanted to beg Xander to stop, but the greater part, the one that wanted to be throwing the punches myself was ready to egg him on. I fought to stand, my legs still wobbly, but I managed to do so by using my hands and pushing them against my car. Once I was standing, I was even more lightheaded than before.

I heard a snap followed by a horrible cracking sound.

Then a hard thud as if a body was dropped.

My God. Had he killed the man?

Panting, I scanned the garage. Was I hoping for help to arrive or wishing everyone would stay away?

Xander growled and I was certain he was pacing the garage. He was turned away from me, but I heard his low voice, yet I was certain he was talking to someone. Maybe on the phone. I took a few steps and had to grab the side mirror of another car to remain steady.

I was angry, enough so I wanted nothing more than to tell Dorn what he could do with his fucking self. And I was going to tell him I was pressing charges. I didn’t care who he was.

When I struggled but managed to round the back of a car, I could see Dorn lying on the concrete. His chest was heaving so he was alive, but his face was bloody, the sticky substance also splattered on his crisp white shirt.

Xander stiffened and turned, tilting his head to the side. I think he was starting to admonish my interference when my legs gave out from underneath me and I fell to the floor.

Suddenly, there was nothing but blackness and…

A flutter of air, a whispered kiss, a moment of floating.

Warmth.

Comfort.

“Ahh!” Gasping, I jerked up, trying to focus immediately. The ugly memories rushed back, the fear almost crippling.

Had the bastard won? Was I in Sinner’s clutches? Flashes of light. And… music.

I blinked several times until I realized I was in a vehicle of some kind, businesses flashing on the right side, darkness spilling out in front of me as if I was headed into an abyss. I slowly turned my head, my vision still somewhat hazy.

“Sshhh… Everything will be just fine,” a deep voice said from the shadows, the tone providing another gentle blanket of comfort.

I knew who was sitting behind the wheel, the man driving me to God knew where. “Xander.” My body ached, my head throbbing, but I wasn’t tied into the seat, able to move my arms and legs.

A weight covered my shoulders and arms and it took me a few seconds to realize he’d placed his tuxedo jacket around me. Had he carried me to the car? I couldn’t remember getting inside by myself. That was almost as unnerving as what I’d endured.

The coat smelled like him, the deep musk and citrus strangely appealing.

He glanced over, a neon sign on his side of the vehicle providing an illuminated glance at his enraged face. But his features softened and he smiled. “Try and relax. You’re safe now.”

I was processing the events and every detail was starting to come back to me. Safe. My life had been anything but safe in the last couple of weeks. “What did you do to him?” My voice was shaky and I hated the rasp in the tone. Yet I remained frightened. Of all the men who’d come to my rescue, it had to be the single man I wanted to loathe.

“You were accosted by an asshole and you’re worried about his physical condition?”

“I…” I wasn’t certain how to give an honest answer. “He was just drunk.”

Xander laughed as if I’d made a hysterical joke. “He was perfectly lucid, Sophie. I assure you that man has taken advantage of more women than I can count in his past.”

“Then why hasn’t he been arrested?”

He twisted his hand around the steering wheel. “Let’s just say often the number of connections and their influence can help mitigate certain issues.”

“In other words, he has powerful friends in all the right places.” The thought was chilling, but perfectly plausible.

“Very good,” he hissed. I could hear the repulsion in his voice. “Including his father.”

“Were you following me?”

Chuckling, he made a turn and suddenly there were no longer any lit-up businesses to illuminate the cab of his car. I looked around, trying to determine where I was.

“I watched him follow you and given I know what the man is capable of, I made certain he hadn’t determined you belonged to him.”

“I belong to no one.”

He chuckled a second time and the sound sent shivers all through me. “Some men think differently.”

“You didn’t answer the question. Did you kill him?”

“I’m a businessman, not a monster. However, I will never allow anyone to hurt a woman or children for that matter. I simply gave him reason to rethink his position in life.”

“How chivalrous.” Sighing, I glanced out the window. “I’m sorry. That wasn’t fair. Thank you for what you did.”

“Of course and don’t worry, Sophie. I’m not insulted easily.”

With his jacket removed, I was able to gather a much better view of his muscular chest and arms, the shirt incapable of shadowing how muscular he was. In fact, every inch of his six foot four inch or so body was finely honed. In my mind a work of art. But I couldn’t think of him that way.

In the years since I’d seen him only in glossy photographs on the internet, he’d changed significantly from the lanky young man with eyes the color of the most vibrant green grass to something much darker. More hardened.

“Why in God’s name did you invite him to your fancy party knowing what he was capable of?”

“I didn’t invite him, the CEO of the company did. And it was necessary.”

“Your brother. For ratings. Of course. It’s all about the business.”

“A necessary evil, but I assure you Dorn won’t be bothering you again.”

I felt a sense of relief by what he was saying yet the entire moment was surreal. How was I supposed to openly destroy a man who’d saved my body from harm if not my life in totality? “Where are you taking me?”

“To my house.”

“Whoa. Hold on. Just take me back to my car.”

“You’re not capable of driving. You could have a mild concussion.”

He was right—my head hurt. “Then is it too much to ask if you take me home?”

“Do you not think if Dorn is determined to have a piece of you that he hasn’t learned who you are and where you live?”

“Even after you explained things to him?”

His exhale was heavy. “I wasn’t willing to take the chance. I’ll take you back to your car in the morning. By then, he will understand that I mean what I said to him.”

I had the distinct feeling he’d explained more than what I’d heard to Dorn. And I was glad. In fact, I hoped the fucker woke up hurting the way he’d hurt me. I bit my lower lip, trying to keep the single sob from exposing how terrified I was.

But staying at his house? I wasn’t certain what to make of his insistence I do.

“Why the Phantom mask?” What did it matter other than I was a nervous wreck.

“Because it appealed to my senses at the time.”

“Since I doubt you’re facing any act of injustice, was the choice based on your need to hide your true appearance from the rest of the world?”

He turned his head toward me once again, his nostrils flaring. “Hiding isn’t necessary, Sophie. However, I do enjoy seeing and experiencing the reactions of those who I come into contact with.”

His answer was chilling and I wasn’t certain what to make of it.

“I think Dorn has been following me. I also believe he broke into my house.”

Xander was instantly on edge. “Why would you think that?”

“Because he mentioned it’s been a thrill getting to know all the dark secrets.”

“Interesting.”

“Why do men enjoy tormenting women?” I asked, although I wasn’t expecting an answer.

“For some, they believe they are the superior being.”

“For others?” I studied him even in the darkness. His chiseled features were delineated. He had a strong, square jaw with high, full cheekbones and an aristocratic nose. He was a gorgeous specimen of a man. But I had to remember what he’d done to my family. Hero or no hero, I would still destroy him.

“Others realize when they find their equal that enjoying the game of cat and mouse can be an explosive and very sensual act of foreplay.”

“Like your computer games.”

“Exactly. Our games provide a safe method of enjoying a taste in the ultimate of sins, kinks, and longings that the majority of people in this world will never admit to craving.”

I closed my eyes, envisioning the scenes from the game. Even from what little I’d managed to show Stephanie, I’d fallen into the pull that had occurred years before, a hunger so intense I was incapable of expressing my need for the games without sounding crazy. “Every one of us has the very darkness you’ve managed to capitalize on buried deep within their psyche.”

“You’re an excellent student, Sophie. And you are correct. Once unleashed, they feed off the hunger.”

“You mean they become addicted to the rush of emotions and adrenaline. And the need for sex and violence.” I should be horrified at my own admittance.

But I wasn’t.

“Addicted is a perfect word, which is why our company does everything in our power to build additional worlds, to create experiences that can be found nowhere else.”

“Which is why you’re successful.”

“We’re successful because we’ve worked our asses off, learning about human psyche, intuition, and the will to survive.” He made another turn and suddenly, I was faced with huge homes on tree-lined streets where every house kept their front light on as if eager to invite in strangers. It was another surreal moment. These estates were for the rich and famous.

“Maybe you’ve underestimated what people are willing to do. Have you ever thought about that?”

“Are you insinuating once the game becomes everyday and perhaps even boring, the gamers will go out into the real world performing whatever sexual act they’ve experienced?”

“Yes, and perhaps the violent ones as well.” That scared the hell out of me. What I knew about human nature was that most people were followers. Once they found their personal Messiah, they would do anything to get the fix. The game wasn’t just about having fun. It was about developing a new sense of what people were willing to do, how far they’d go in receiving the rush of endorphins.

“You do understand.” He made the statement firmly, but with no hint of surprise.

Did I? Or was I simply caught up in the madness of winning?

No, it wasn’t just about winning with me. It was all about the participation, the excitement, and the feeling of freedom. I hungered for the darkness. It was that simple.

He pulled down a long driveway and I clamped both hands around the soft leather seats, barely breathing at this point.

“You are welcome in my home, but I have one question for you, Sophie . Why are you lying to me?”