Page 61 of Stalker

“Oh, come on. What’s not to love?” Josie countered. “Hot men in tuxedos. A dream come true.”

I’d seen enough men in penguin suits in my life. They didn’t exactly impress me any longer. I rubbed my fingers across my lips, unable to pull my mind from a few nights before. The hunt had been ridiculous, completely surreal.

Get your mind off it. That’s not real life.

No, it wasn’t, but the game was truly exciting.

“This is all about paying big money for a date. Doesn’t that seem desperate?” I hated the idea more and more.

Penny hadn’t wasted any time ordering us drinks. “All for a good cause. Remember?”

“A stunning guy, a dream date of his choosing, and who knows, maybe hot sex.” Josie was having way too much fun with this. She was a psychiatrist and had a way of bringing aspects of her job into every conversation. Right now, the last thing I needed was for anyone to psychoanalyze me.

“For all we know, the date could include being taken to some dark location, tied and kept as a prisoner.” While my body trembled after making the statement, it was for a totally different reason than should be occurring.

The idea was tantalizing instead of terrifying. Maybe this was exactly what I needed to clear my head.

“Yummy,” Penny purred.

I sat back, trying not to think about the experience. If I told my besties what I’d allowed to happen, they’d commit me. Who wouldn’t, for God’s sake?

“You look like you’re a million miles away,” Penny said. “What gives? New case?”

“Sort of. Just some research that’s driving me crazy.” That wasn’t a lie. I’d read every article in every magazine, online newspaper, and everything on Google about the Blackwell Group. I felt as if I knew them better than any reporter. Yet, it also seemed as if there were two distinct sides to the men, which mirrored what Mr. Wells had told me.

I’d also read the single article written a couple of years before on the Obsidian Society, a subsequent one that had been retracted. Everything mentioned, while alluring, had been vague. Quite frankly, I remained shocked the Blackwell attorneys hadn’t filed a lawsuit for defamation of character.

Maybe that had been beneath them. God knew if I was to believe whatFortunemagazinesaid about their combined wealth, they could purchase a large country.

There were a few pictures, but for the most part, they were of eager customers while standing outside a big box store or taken with their headsets on. Several of the brothers had creatively managed to keep their faces out of the press. In my experience, anyone who kept their lives that private either had something to hide or were simply not interested in notoriety.

I wondered given what Mr. Wells had said if a little of both was plausible.

“Earth to Ms. Attorney,” Josie said as she punched me with her elbow.

“Ouch. Jesus, Ms. Psychiatrist of the year. Like you don’t work all the time.”

“Not all the time. I do come out and play from time to time.” Not only was my other bestie a brilliant psychiatrist, but she was also an amazing painter who spent a good portion of her free time in her studio.

It helped her break free from her own nightmares induced by some of her clients. While she’d never divulged anything about a patient, she’d managed to provide a taste of what she was dealing with, including all the criminal minds looking for a way out of prison.

She worked one side. I worked another.

“I know,” she said. “But I’ve cut back on hours. I had to. I’m glad you were able to join us.”

“Cass knows I would have tossed her into my car, shackled her to the seat, and brought her here under duress,” Penny admitted.

I squeezed Josie’s hand. I could see the strain on her face. “You’re right. I should do this more often. Why don’t we try to get out at least once every two weeks?”

“Dream on, baby. I know you too well.” Penny rolled her eyes.

“Not fair.” But she did know me. They both did.

Josie sighed. “You look hot in that outfit. And the mask is to die for. Where did you get it?”

I’d purchased a new dress because the last time I’d done so had been for my college graduation. I touched my mask. “A little boutique close to the office. This was in the front window and caught my eye.”

“It looks like a butterfly, very colorful and fragile.” Penny used the exact words I had when I’d looked in through the glass.

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