Page 39 of Stalker

I’d sort through the paperwork in a day or so after I’d taken a deep dive into the company first. Only then could I truly have a better understanding of who the company officials were as people in general and their business ethics.

Then I’d check their competitors.

All the while, I had a bad feeling whatever Mr. Wells was using as ammunition was entirely personal. But I’d hold my tongue and my thoughts until I knew for certain.

My attention was drawn by the envelope, deciding to grab my mug of coffee first. After adding cream and taking several sips, I still didn’t feel any more comfortable in accepting the case, but at this point, I had no choice. Plus… I was forced to admit to myself that I was more than curious why I’d seen something on Mr. Wells’ face that I’d never seen before.

Fear.

With the envelope in hand, I sat down at my kitchen table and gingerly opened the flap. The thick note card inside was also black, red writing making the words difficult to read.

But I managed.

Come play in a sensual world.

Where beasts rule the wild.

And humans are often their prey.

Test your skills.

Enjoy pure freedom.

But be prepared…

You’ll never be the same.

I sat back chuckling at the attempt to create a little rhyme. On the back was a date and time, a location and short but specific directions on what would happen. If accepted, clothes would be sent that must be worn. There was also a link to a website so an NDA could be signed. A code was provided so those stumbling on the site wouldn’t be able to access it.

Everything was a little too cryptic for my tastes, but I’d committed to following through with this. The attorney in me immediately called foul. But I grabbed my laptop, typing in the link.

The logo of the Blackwell Group’s gaming section appeared like a letterhead. The simple two paragraphs that followed mentioned a special society for avid gamers. There was no mention of the Obsidian Society or what becoming a contestant would mean.

They’d been very cautious about how they’d worded everything in case the applicant was all wrong for their special society. Cash had explained that with many gaming companies, there were clubs and special perks for the people who purchased and played the games, including online societies that were formed by players all over the world.

I could only imagine how many people salivated at the thought of being considered ‘special.’ I almost laughed, but I knew some would take this very seriously.

Plus, people always embellished stories. Always. It was like their way of lying without feeling bad about it. Maybe this was just a run through of a section of the game and nothing else. Plus, they wouldn’t be stupid enough to hurt someone playing the game. That wouldn’t be good for their reputation or bottom line.

I read through the nondisclosure with a critical eye. There was nothing weird. Just standard verbiage.

What the hell? Cash was right. Maybe I could find easy answers to Mr. Wells’ concerns and be pushed up the ladder just a rung or two more. What did I have to lose?

I signed the nondisclosure, agreeing to the terms and returning the form easily. Nice and tidy.

Now it was time for work.

Hopefully, I’d be able to concentrate.

CHAPTER10

Cassandra

Come play in a sensual world.

Where beasts rule the wild.

I shuddered when I thought of the words within the invitation. My skin crawled while my mind continued floating toward the unknown. And the what-ifs.

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