Page 62 of Sinner

I turned my head in his direction. “I do enjoy tasting my food before ordering it.”

“Whew. Good for you.”

I took another gulp of my drink while noticing we had a few people heading in our direction. “Time to play.”

The meaning of the expression was different in the two applications we usually gave it. In this regard, it was a reminder to act as if we gave a shit. When involved in our various twisted games, it meant something else entirely.

“The Blackwell princes. I wanted to come and congratulate you myself.”

Jonathan Porter was a low-level prosecutor who was making his way up the totem pole. He was aggressive in how he handled his cases and well-liked by those above him. But it had been easy to recognize the man was a snake who’d bite his own mother if he believed it would help in his endeavor for greatness. I was repulsed by his choice in masks. The plain black cloth likely meant he was attempting to represent Zorro.

He’d failed.

Another reason I wanted to snap his neck.

I reminded myself we’d determined it was good to keep him on a short leash. Killing him wasn’t on the menu. Neither was a hunt.

What a shame.

“Jonathan,” I started the foray into fucking with his mind. “I heard you were on the prowl tonight. Who is the lovely woman you’re with?”

She was a traditional platinum blonde who’d decided she’d arrive in a full costume appearing as a nineteen-twenties flapper. Only she had porn star vibes.

“A colleague of mine. Sherry Jasper, meet Wilder, Xander, and Zachariah Blackwell. Trust me, darling. You’ll need to keep a distance from them. They are true vultures.”

She laughed and eyed me directly. “I could say that about you, Johnny boy.” She offered me her hand. I took it, amused at her attempt to use a firm manly style handshake. I could crush her small bones easily if I wanted.

“Johnny refused to allow me to play your game. Can you tell me why?” she asked, keeping her lips pouting and her eyelashes skimming across her collagen-filled cheeks.

“I’m surprised you indulged in one of our games, John,” Wilder said, clapping him on the back. “I would think it too advanced for your… skill level.”

“Very funny. I enjoy playing games, Wilder. You should know that by now. I must admit the three of you have truly outdone yourselves. Hard core.”

“Then I want to play. Please?” Sherry begged and I was disgusted.

“We’ll see after I’ve made it through another few levels. You could find the game overwhelming.”

If only he had any idea. He wasn’t talented enough to make it but a few additional levels. By then he’d grow bored and decide to move onto something else.

I wanted to tell him good luck, but was distracted by a stunning copper-haired beauty entering the room with another woman.

Jessica…

Her name remained on my lips and I dragged my tongue across it, imagining the taste of her from a few nights before. My cock was immediately awakened as hunger ripped into my system. My desire only increased as she rubbed her hands on her dress, taking careful steps. She was completely uncomfortable in her surroundings. The vulnerable side of her was extremely attractive.

Filthy thoughts lingered in my mind.

She was with one of her friends, a girl I’d seen several times. I was quite curious how either one of them had managed an invitation. Perhaps her friend had connections that I should check. The woman was more than just an enigma at this point or someone of interest that had sparked so many deep emotions within me.

She was becoming more of an obsession. The realization had fascinating side effects. I wanted to get to know her, and not just in my more primal methods of doing so.

So, what could I do tonight other than drive her to the point of utter need? It was apparent she’d yet to put all the pieces together. I wondered how making the connection would affect her.

Would she be furious that I’d hidden myself from her, taunting her from afar, or would she do exactly what I anticipated? Fight with everything she had to win?

The question was delicious and created a need even stronger than I’d experienced the night before.

Zach had managed to slip away from the unwanted guests, joining me as I continued staring at the two women, using every ounce of my control to keep my distance. They made their waythrough the crowd, Jessica constantly searching the groups of people. Even with her mask, I’d recognize her anywhere.

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