Page 44 of Stalker

“Who gives a shit. He’s dead. Good riddance.”

Xander sighed. “Fine. Have it your way. But I know you remember something that happened the night our mother was murdered. If I do, you certainly must.”

I pressed my fist against my forehead. “Drop it, Xander. I’m not in the goddamn mood. That was a fucking lifetime ago.”

“Yet the nightmares never leave. Do they?”

Snorting, I tried to concentrate on the contestants as they were pulled out of one of the trucks that had rolled onto the property. All blindfolded. All dressed in nondescript outfits. I was suddenly wondering why the fuck I’d bothered. “Nightmares fuel the necessity of control.”

“Which is why you didn’t kill that motherfucker.” Xander laughed. “Control. I guess you’re right. Jessica helps with that. You could do with finding someone to love.”

“Do not start that shit again.”

“Fine. You’re a hardcase tonight, which is why I’m surprised you’re participating.”

“We all need our jollies.”

Xander couldn’t help but taunt. He had since the beginning. He was right. I remembered more than the other two, enough that I knew it was possible they’d take another trip to hell and neither one deserved that after finding happiness from love.

So I kept the stories to myself.

Fuck love.

“Why let the bastard live?” he asked a few seconds later.

“Why?” I’d asked myself the same question at least ten times. “Because when my foster sister was raped, tortured, and murdered, I hunted down the four punks responsible. Instead of taking my time dismembering them I slit their throats. They didn’t suffer like she did. Drew will suffer in prison just like those women did. He’ll get exactly what he deserves.”

I expected Xander to challenge my decision. His response surprised me.

“Amen, brother. Amen.”

A deep exhale left my chest. I’d never given a shit what happened to me. I’d never been afraid of being caught and I still wasn’t. Yet, I’d learned over the years things were different. I’d enjoyed living because I created my own destiny. Now? Now I was just fucking bored.

“Does anyone intrigue you?” We were both staring into the shadows of the forest, a location only recently provided for our use. While we owned various plots of land including some with forests and dozens of acres, the areas we used for hunting were provided gratis by those believing in our cause.

At least that’s what we’d heard time and time again, men and women eager and willing to provide a pristine location for our hunts. Others had offered up their warehouses or other buildings in the midst of renovation in hopes of providing the perfect terrifying yet alluring background.

Of course they’d also been seeking either an invitation into the contest, positive affirmation of their abilities or confirmation they would soon receive all the accolades they’d been seeking.

By being allowed into the coveted Obsidian Society.

We’d had a frank meeting after the Obsidian Society had been outed by two reporters. We’d opted against holding the contest for a few months to let the buzz die down. We’d made changes in how we handled the dark games, not out of fear of repercussions, but out of practicality.

And our extensive workload.

Our company was growing at a faster rate than we’d anticipated. Success had its share of perks, disappointments, and difficulties. Tonight, we’d set aside our corporate functions for a taste of our darker needs.

Only not one of us would be satisfied.

I’d been emailed Christopher’s choice of candidates for the special hunt.

Without names, only answers. He liked to toy with the players. I was no different. The man had a devious side of his own.

“A few,” I answered, although that wasn’t the truth. Only one of the people who’d filled out the questionnaire on Instagram and had subsequently signed the NDA had intrigued me in the least. There’d been something vulnerable about her while she’d opted to remain skeptical. That came across loud and clear in the limited answers.

Women like that were far more fun to play with.

Tonight I’d chosen to participate, which was rare for me, but perhaps it would help alleviate the increasing boredom.

---