Page 10 of Power of Shadow

“Everything was fine until I noticed my eyelids getting heavy, and it wasn’t because I was tired or had a single glass of wine. The guy was so self-absorbed and so—”

“Boring?”

“Exactly! So boring”—I snap my fingers because that’s the perfect word I’ve been searching for in my head—“that I wanted to fall asleep. I figured we weren’t meant for each other, so I’d simply endure this dinner. I’d try to be a pleasant companion, and then I’d politely say goodbye to the guy.”

“But no...” Zoe rolls her eyes. Gets up to refill her coffee and plops back down at the kitchen island.

“Of course not,” I blurt out. “That would be too easy. After the meal the waiter brought the check. Bane fumbled through his pockets, glancing at me with a desperation, and I stared at him, completely dumbfounded. It was embarrassing. Frustrated, I finally handed my credit card to the waiter. Without a word, I got my card back and left the restaurant.”

“Bane was looking for a gain,” my sister cackles, ignoring my thunderous glare. “What kind of name is that anyway? Bane?”

“I don’t know, but I’m not done yet. So I left with my head held high, disappointed like a teenager after her first kiss, but after a few steps he caught up with me. Picture him thanking me for the meal. Fuck! He thanked me and asked to spend the night with him. And how did he do that? By putting his paw on my boob!”

My sister’s laughing so hard, I bet her butt will hit the hard floor in a minute. Her own snorts make her laugh even more.

“So I did what I had to do.” I shrug. “I twisted his arm, stepped on his foot with my high heel, and kicked him in the balls. In my defense, it was a reflex. He should’ve known better. I almost felt sorry for him, but when he called me a bitch while still bent over, he got a close-up view of my knee and I forgot about apologizing. He was on the sidewalk, in a pool of blood, when I left him there.”

Tears run down Zoe’s face. I grab the last piece of bacon and pop it into my mouth. There’s nothing left of the breakfast I’d prepared.

After a few minutes, she calms down and even puts on a serious face. “I’m glad you’re okay. I’d love to be as tough and composed as you are.”

My hand moves to her flat palm, and I give it a squeeze.

“You don’t have to be like me. You’re perfect just the way you are. And that’s why you have the best big sister, to kick the ass of any jerk who dares to look at you the wrong way. Best forever?”

At first, Zoe’s smile is small, but my words give her courage. I offer my pinky, and her little finger wraps around mine, and she repeats my words.

“Best friends. Best sisters. Best forever.”

Zoe stands up and clears the dirty dishes.

Moving around the kitchen, she glances at me now and then. With every passing minute, the whole situation seems more and more suspicious.

Clearing her throat, she eventually addresses me, her tone lacking confidence. “Alex called last night. He was furious.”

Ah... Well done, Alex!

I snort under my breath. “He’s always angry these days. That’s nothing new. What did he want?”

“He wants me to tell you that either you stop avoiding him and finally call him back, or he’ll give the job he has for you to the Jackal,” she adds, knowing what kind of reaction to expect from me.

And he’s right. They’re both right!

Her words have the same effect on me as blood on a shark. My senses sharpen, and I feel an uncontrollable urge to kill. Whether it’s because of the Jackal or Alex, it doesn’t matter.

Blood rushes to my ears, and I clench my hands into fists. “Alex said that?” My voice is quiet, but it’s a warning. Zoe’s subtle nod is my signal to launch an attack.

“Son of a bitch!” I spring from my seat and dash toward my room. My phone is in my bag on the floor.

Because it’s totally dead, I give in to my rage while waiting those crucial minutes for the battery to get enough charge to start.

I start to spin the silver ring on my thumb, a habit I haven’t been able to break for many years.

“You fucking traitor!” I attack when Alex answers on the second ring.

“Hi, Princess. It’s good to hear you too.”

Shivers run down my spine.