“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?”

  CHAPTER 20

  Xander

  “If you touch her again, you will die.”

  They were the words I’d said to Dorn while I’d had my fingers wrapped around his throat. That had been only the second time in my life I’d offered a warning. The first had been moments before I’d indulged in the pleasure of gutting a man for the first time.

  There would be no additional threats issued.

  The taste of blood filled my senses.

  Death was a necessary evil if for no other reason than to rid the world of toxic poison.

  I’d almost snapped Dorn’s neck and in hindsight, I wished I had. Instead, I’d broken his arm, the injury severe enough he would remember the interaction for months to come. He was the purest form of evil, believing his actions were acceptable.

  I’d also pummeled his face, breaking his nose. I swiveled the black obsidian stone ring I always wore, the heavy weight gold and thickness of the stone providing a perfect weapon.

  The moment I’d noticed he was watching Jessica, paying attention to her every move, I’d know my interference would be necessary.

  But the balls on the man to dare follow and attack her? Yes, the bastard had deserved to die.

  He still did. What had the bastard been insinuating with Jessica at the party? She truly believed he was the Sinner when Dorn couldn’t fight his way out of a paper bag. However, I’d use his strange admission for the time being.

  I wasn’t ready to expose myself at this point.

  I’d been forced to remind myself that all good things came to those who waited, including me. Killing him would have provided some sense of satisfaction, but would have drawn far too much attention to the company and to my obsession with Jessica.

  What caused me significant angst was that being with Jessica brought back unwanted memories of the only decent time in my life. A blip in my otherwise repulsive and inhuman world when I’d struggled to be a decent human being. It had been working and I’d been the happiest I’d ever been in my life.

  But fate had dealt another blow, one so severe I’d lost myself in the madness of violence for over a full year. Even now, the bitter sting of fate dragged at me.

  Jessica had been brought into my life by some demon who’d laid claim to my soul the moment I was born.

  So be it.

  This was just another forbidden moment in a lifetime of them. While I’d been close to her father once in my life, the trust had been shattered. Now I didn’t mind taking his little girl away from him.

  Only Jessica Waldrop was no longer a little girl. She was a woman with the same intense needs that had consumed me all through my adult life and even earlier. Her beauty was also unequaled. She was certainly the best of both her mother and father. Absolutely stunning.

  The single trait I remembered about her after all these years were the freckles covering the bridge of her nose. Simply adorable.

  Her breathing remained ragged after my question, the answer yet to be provided. As I pulled into the garage, I marveled at how I hadn’t hesitated when deciding to bring her to my home. I wanted to care for and protect her, which wasn’t my typical behavior. Allowing someone to invade my space had never been something I’d even considered.

  I preferred my privacy.

  Given what she’d been through, I’d decided not to interrogate her until she was settled. However, the little lamb would tell me everything.

  Including whether her father had put her up to infiltrating my company.

  “I’m not a liar, Xander,” she said defiantly.

  “According to what you’ve said, every one of us have lied about something.”

  She had no idea how to take what I was telling her, so she clamped her mouth shut. I had no interest in prying out the information from her until it became necessary. I was curious to see if she’d open up or continue the charade. We were playing a dangerous game after all.

  Jessica remained where she was in the passenger seat, staring out the windshield at one of four tables full of tools. None of which I’d ever used other than for what they were intended. However, she had every reason to be frightened after what she’d been through.

  As I eased from the car, I could sense her stiffening. She craved Sinner, but loathed the man behind the mask. The dichotomy around that was a complete mind fuck.

  Her hesitation forced me to walk to the other side, opening the door for her. “You’re safe with me.”

  “Are you so certain of that?” Jessica ignored the offer of my hand, preferring to remain autonomous. Yet she winced as she twisted her body to exit my vehicle. While the brutal punch the asshole had thrown would blacken her eye, fortunately there was only minimal swelling.

  That didn’t control the anger raging inside. Nothing would at this point. I’d heard her agonizing cries and had only seen blood.

  She didn’t fight me as I guided her toward the door leading into the house, but the moment I touched her back, she took a purposeful step away from me.

  Perhaps the only traditional room in the house was the kitchen given my affinity for cooking. However, the moment she stepped foot inside, she scanned the entire room top to bottom. What was she looking for exactly, bloodied knives hanging from chains? The thought amused me.

  As she moved to the end of the island, she slipped off my jacket, not bothering to look at me when she extended her arm. “Thank you. I won’t be needing this any longer.”

  While I accepted the tuxedo coat, I purposely pushed our fingers together. The electricity sparked between us. She sensed it and did her best to hide the raw sensations. While I longed to further explore our intense chemistry, I hadn’t brought her here to play Sinner for the night.

  I tossed the jacket across the back of a stool on the other side of the island bar and flicked on the lighting over the thick granite.

  She winced from the light, immediately placing her hand over her eye. While I knew she’d protest, I lifted her and placed her on the counter.

  “What are you doing?” At least she could still have the cute demanding voice that had been the initial reason I’d been attracted to her.

  I planted both hands on either side of her and I’d be damned if she didn’t do everything feasible to lean as far away from me as possible. “I’m checking the damage and getting ice for your eye. Is that acceptable to you?”

  There was a hint of fear in her eyes as she debated my question, yet darker emotions crowded out the fleeting emotion almost immediately. “Okay, fine. But I’m okay.”

  “I know. You’re a tough girl.” Being very mindful of what I was doing, I slipped a finger under her chin, lifting her head. Her eyes were locked on mine, piercing in a way that indicated she was searching for answers to some hidden question. I was thankful her pupils weren’t dilated.

  As I moved my head closer to inspect her eye, she jerked away once again. “I told you, I’m fine.”

  “You blacked out. You could easily have a concussion.” It saddened me I barely remembered her from before. Granted, over ten years had passed and I’d been a self-absorbed prick back then, but the real truth was that it had been a period of my life I’d tried very hard to forget.

  “I don’t.”

  I almost gripped her jaw, telling her she would listen to me, but managed to curtail my typical reaction. Sighing, I backed away, grabbing a clean kitchen towel from one of the drawers and opening the bottom freezer door for ice. I sensed she was watching me intently. After I wrapped the cubes, I didn’t bother trying to place the compress on her face. She’d merely toss it away.

  A cube slipped to the floor and she sighed while I bent over to retrieve it, tossing it into the sink.

  I handed her the icepack instead, giving her a stern look when she hesitated before placing it over her eye. “Give it a few minutes. If we can keep some of the swelling down, there will be less pain.”

  “Alright. Fine.”

  “Would you like a drink?” I found myself more amused than annoyed by the thick armor she’d placed around herself.

  Her mouth twisted in frustration. She looked away before answering me. “Yes, thank you.”

  “Wine?”

  “Whatever you’re having.”

  I nodded in appreciation. Tonight called for scotch. I headed to the bar on the other side of the kitchen, marveling in how fiercely hardheaded she was. She also had the most hypnotizing pair of eyes, which was another reason I’d been drawn to her. But those very eyes should have opened mine. Instead of reacting to the sadistic needs of my cock, I should have delved into why I felt so damn close to her.

  I poured the drinks, somewhat surprised she was sitting in the same position as I’d left her, the icepack still being held against her eye.

  As I handed her the glass, she did everything in her power to avoid our fingers touching again. I didn’t force the issue, but I noticed her hand was shaking. She took a sip and her uninjured eye closed as she did so.

  The flash of distaste on her face brought a smile to mine. “Not to your liking?”

  “It’s fine. Whatever is fine. I just… I don’t drink that much.”

  “Well, you need something to calm your nerves.”

  “It won’t matter if I have him arrested, will it?”

  I swirled the liquid in my glass. “Not likely.”

  “Why are men such assholes?”

  “Because most were never taught to respect women and that they should be considered the most treasured creatures on this planet.”

  My statement seemed to both annoy and amuse her. She dropped the icepack, cocking her pretty little head at me in obvious disdain. “You don’t seem to have an understanding of women, Mr. Blackwell. I’m not trying to be rude. I’m simply observant.”

  “You’re many things, Ms. Turner, but rude isn’t one of them. You are opinionated and I appreciate that. You’ve also been reading too many tabloids about my personal life since I don’t have one.”

  She snorted and took another sip. To my delight, she was one of the few people who could make and keep eye contact with me. Most men were terrified and most woman instantly submissive. Not this woman. She had more steel in her veins than almost anyone I knew.

  “I’m very observant,” she countered. “What am I lying about?”

  “Your identity.”

  She didn’t appear startled about the fact I’d learned the truth. The only indication my discovery bothered her was by the tightness forming across her pursed lips. “I assume that means I’m out of the running for the job.”

  “Is that what you want?”

  “I… No, I’m more than qualified for the job.”

  I couldn’t keep a smile off my face. “Yes, you are. In fact, I believe you’re the most qualified candidate who’s ever graced us with their resume. So, why did you lie to me?”

  “You know why.”

  “Because you’re the kind of strong woman who refuses to take any favors from your father, who happens to be one of my old friends.”

  “Ex old friends and I knew you’d say that.”

  “Your father and I had a falling out years ago. Why the charade after all this time?”

  She wasn’t going to trust me enough to explain any further. “Because it’s what I needed to do for me.”

  “Alright. In that case, I will overlook your deception.”

  With that, she jumped off the island, tossing the ice pack aside. “My deception? I’m sorry, Mr. Blackwell, but you’re a real asshole.” She tossed the glass of scotch into my face and lunged toward me seconds later, her arm raised in preparation of slapping me.

  She slipped on the liquid instead, the action propelling her toward me and into my arms. But not before she smacked her leg against the edge of a cabinet. The glass flew from her hand, pitching high in the air before coming down and shattering on the tile. Her yelp jerked at something more chivalrous in me. I caught her hand while sweeping my arm under her bottom, lifting and cradling her against me.

  “Be careful, Jessica. In your fragile state, you could further hurt yourself. There’s glass everywhere.” I managed to place my drink on the counter behind me, which almost provided her with the perfect opportunity to escape.

  “Damn you!”

  “I assure you I’m already damned.”

  “Just like you should be. And do you want to know why? Do you want to know why I hate you so goddamn much?”

  “Why?”

  She sputtered, her entire face highlighting a moment of sheer agony that had nothing to do with her injuries.

  “Tell me, Jessica. Why?”

  “Because you killed my sister.”

  CHAPTER 21