Page 108 of Power of Shadow

“Are you out of your mind, Ash? Jesus! Do you really think I’m such a dick? I care about you, and I would never let anything happen to you. That’s why I warned you about him.”

It feels as though this conversation should be private. But she deliberately put it on loudspeaker.

I notice a notification flashing on my phone out of the corner of my eye. I grab it and open the message.

“So where were your spies who are watching me so carefully? They were supposed to be watching over me. Where were they then?”

“I have no idea,” Alex pants. “But I’ll find out.”

“I think you’re lying! I think you would do anything—”

Now Alex can’t take the tension anymore. “I’m not lying, Ash! I swear it on my life!”

“He’s not lying,” I add.

Glancing up from my phone, I catch her staring. She must be reading my expression, because she ends the call without a word. She walks over, her eyes falling on the screen.

One photo. It shows Ash lying in a dark alley, and some bastard has his hands around her beautiful neck.

The cold I felt when I saw her at the door returns with double the force. This time, there’s no fear in it. There’s only pure, calm fury.

“I know who did this to you.”

Chapter 25

Ryker

Theo is the last one I pick up on the way. Eli’s already sitting stretched out in the front seat.

There’s no way I’m leaving this issue without sending an adequate response. Not when it comes to Ash.

With every passing moment, I’m becoming more protective and more possessive of her. And no one—literally no one in this world—will threaten what belongs to me. Especially with my woman.

Theo slams the door behind him harder than necessary. Rolling my eyes, sensing something is up, I pull away.

I glance at him in the rearview mirror. Without saying a word, I wait for him to tell me what’s going on. But he doesn’t.

Finally, I can’t take it anymore. “I’m having fucking déjà vu. Where the hell have you been, Theo?”

“I had something to take care of.” He snorts under his breath and glances out the window.

“I haven’t been able to reach you for almost two weeks. What did you have to take care of that kept you from calling or texting me back?”

His angry eyes find me in the mirror. “Do you always have to control everything? Do none of us have a right to privacy anymore? What the hell is this?”

Eli sits quietly. Inside, I start to boil.

“Is that what you think? That it’s about control? Let me remind you, we’re brothers. We’re one! Doesn’t that mean anything to you anymore? Because it means everything to me. And I’m worried about you.”

A tomb-like silence falls between us. All three of us sink into our own thoughts. And I let my words sink into him.

After a few minutes and a heavy sigh, he finally replies, “I’m sorry, man. I got carried away. It means everything to me too. It’s just—I don’t know. We’re all dealing with our own shit. I don’t want to worry you guys.”

“It’s not about control,” I repeat. “But I’m your brother. You can always count on me. I’ll always help you. Eventually, you’ll have to let us in.”

“I know, Ry.”

I sigh, hearing his uncertain, hushed voice.