J Sterling The Perfect Game Novels & Stories

Marcus had been the muscle, Vivienne the strategy, but the man at the top-Sterling himself-was the architect of the entire machine. Sterling was a silver-haired titan in his late fifties, a man who spoke in quiet sentences that moved markets. He didn't look like a predator, which made him infinitely more dangerous. The first two days of the retreat were a blur of high-stakes strategy sessions and vintage scotch. On the final night, Sterling requested a private "portfolio review" with Talia in the estate's observatory-a domed room with a telescope that pointed toward the cold, uncaring stars.

The Sterling Manor was supposed to be a place of unbreakable rules and impenetrable security. But today, its defenses were being severely tested by a four-year-old in a Batman onesie. Julian Sterling, son of Alex and Cassandra, stood at the entrance of the Grand Pantry. His arms were crossed over his tiny chest, his eyebrows knitted in intense concentration behind his plastic blue glasses. "Objective," Julian whispered to himself. "The high-fructose strawberry gummy bear jar. Altitude: twelve feet. Defensive measures: Level-four laser grid, pressure sensors, and Grandma Margaret’s constant vigilance."

"I'm a Level 10, Elara. In this game, there are no friends. Only survivors." The lift chimed. LEVEL 80: THE PENTHOUSE. The doors slid open to reveal Julian Sterling, standing by the floor-to-ceiling windows, holding a glass of wine and a remote control. "Welcome home, Elara," Julian smiled. "Ready for your final exam?"

Michael was beside him—tied to a chair. Lena's heart pounded. Mercer smiled for the camera. "Hello, Lena." Mercer's Warning Lena had her fists clenched. "How long has this been live?" she ordered. Noah checked. "Not live. Pre-recorded." Mercer's voice filled the speakers. "You keep following me, but you don't know how to play the game. You think you're tracking me?" He laughed. "I'm letting you play. But games have a cost." Lena's stomach turned.

They both had something dangerous about them, but while Jude wore his proudly, Sterling kept his under tight wraps. He leaned back against the log bench, crossing his feet at the ankles. “So, who wants to start?” Kimberly’s red-painted lips curled up. They were the same bright shade as her freshly manicured nails. “I will.” Sterling made a non-committal sound as he plucked the bottle from Nova’s hand and polished off the last bit. A second one, unopened, sat at his side. “Remember children, the whole point of this game is to willingly tell the truth.” He winked at me, “Think of it as a trust building exercise.”

So I could only imagine how serious a mark would be. “Don’t fight it,” Sterling said, still moving towards me. “Come quietly and I’ll be gentle. I have everything ready for the new pack; my suitcase is in the car and I’ve already left a note. All that remains now… is you. The final piece to my perfect world awaiting me.” He was close now. Too close. And with me having nowhere else to go, I could only react on instinct when he reached as if to caress my cheek. …And I quickly slapped his hand away.

"Why did it have to be him, of all people? I don't even know why I'm here! Drinking away my sorrows just to forget about him. It's not as if he's that handsome. I mean, Jade has such a nasty temper, and I hate what he does sometimes. Do I even deserve this?!" "It's always like that, bestie. Sometimes, we don't get what we want from life. See, most of us aren't perfect my dear. We just have to make the best out of people even if we think their wrong for us, sometimes. Make Jade a perfect gentle man, Fire. I notice his best whenever he's with you. Have you seen the spark in his eyes, recently? That's the charm you've given to him. I've also noticed the same joy in you of resent. I don't know i

I realized, the hope returning to my voice. "Exactly," Xavier said, standing up and walking around the desk. He stopped just inches from my chair, looming over me. The scent of his cologne dark musk and cedar clouded my senses. "But men like Sterling don't flip for money. They flip for fear. He’s currently at an underground gambling den in the Diamond District. He thinks he’s safe there."

"Your game is over." "My game is never over, Daniel." Sterling smiled a cold, terrifying, sinister expression that made the hair on the back of my neck stand up. "Arthur was merely a pawn. Do you really think he acted alone? Do you really think he had the financial leverage to orchestrate a ten-million-dollar corporate raid by himself?" My smile faded. A cold knot formed in my stomach. "What are you talking about?" Sterling reached into his velvet smoking jacket, pulled out an encrypted satellite phone, and placed it on the table between us.

Gloria gave her a look. Gwen stood up straight, ready to prove her point. “Yes, it is. Ace is Paria-Drae, the one who started the problem and then wanted to get violent and I’m Estril. Innocent and just trying to defend herself from the harsh barbaric behavior of a neighbor I quite can’t get rid of.” Gloria did not say anything and Gwen smiled, feeling victorious. Maybe instead of a soldier, she should have entered into the world of politics. It would be fun to try and argue with the ignorant and just plain stupid people who are in charge of the country.