Page 66 of Stalker

“Men like Drew Monahan are usually nothing more than puppets, acting on behalf of someone pulling the strings. If the stories I read about him are true, the young man was always a bit odd. True sociopaths are entirely different. They can easily fit into any situation, any environment, fitting in and observing. That’s how they operate, discovering every detail about their victims and lying in wait for the perfect moment to strike. They are often friendly, even very likable, the kind of person no one would ever believe was capable of a heinous crime. And when they make their move, the victim never sees them coming.”

Josie’s statement was haunting.

“No shop talk tonight, remember?” Penny chided.

But Josie’s warning was received loud and clear.

Josie sighed. “I will say this. Very few sociopaths will place themselves in the spotlight if they are considering striking. They’re far too intelligent to be caught with their pants down.” When she winked, Penny lifted her glass in salute.

I remained uncertain. What if I got myself in the middle of something that I couldn’t get myself out of? What if Wilder Blackwell was the devil in disguise?

What if I could discover information I’d never be able to obtain otherwise?

“Stop worrying, bestie. Think of it this way. It’s only one night. It might be exactly what you need. Besides, fate obviously brought you together for a second time. Why not see where your time together leads?” Josie had drifted away from her psychoanalyzing, but I wasn’t certain I was capable of doing that.

“Plus, he’s fucking hot,” Penny added.

I sat back in my seat, staring at him. That’s the moment he chose to look directly at our table. And I’ll be damned if the man didn’t lock eyes with mine. The mask couldn’t hide the carnal expression suddenly popping on his face or the fact I leaned closer to the edge of the table.

Naturally, my besties noticed.

“Girl. He wants you. This is your moment. Raise that damn paddle or I will.” Penny was determined to push me hard.

This was crazy, but maybe she was right in that karma had pushed us together for a reason.

What if everyone was wrong about Wilder? I’d certainly experienced nothing but gentlemanly behavior. If he’d wanted me to be his next victim, he’d had the perfect opportunity and the crime could have been painted as if David had killed me. Was I considering this for personal reasons?

Was my consideration for my job or for something much more… seductive in nature? I swallowed hard, debated as another woman raised her paddle, very eager to gain his attention.

He didn’t bother looking in her direction.

He only had eyes for me.

The crackle of electricity was already wearing me down.

My mind was a blur, but something inside me said this would be my one chance to talk with him, to learn more about him and his company.

And to possibly learn the secrets within the Obsidian Society.

But he was dangerous.

The understanding rang loud and clear.

You like dangerous. You proved that to yourself.

I took a deep breath, my pulse racing as I watched his reaction, the way he was narrowing his eyes. We’d breached some unspoken protocol, tasting and touching the forbidden.

The single night was fully imbedded in my mind and I could almost hear the echo of my moan from when he’d been fucking me.

I licked my lips and lifted my head, offering him a knowing smile. If he was a dangerous man, then I’d enjoy exposing him for every single infraction. If Wilder thought he’d found a vulnerable woman to surrender to his every need, he was wrong.

But I could play the game for a little while longer.

While I gathered evidence.

I raised my paddle.

CHAPTER17

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