Page 65 of Sinner

My mouth salivated at the thought.

Right or wrong, after the society event in a week, she would be mine.

CHAPTER 19

Jessica

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. Thedevil 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.

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