Page 132 of Power of Shadow

“What the fuck?” Eli asks in disbelief.

Theo remains silent as usual, and a shocked Ryker asks, “What are you doing here, Ash?”

Smiling slightly, I hope to ease the tension. “Let’s go, boys.”

“No fucking way. Go home, Little Killer.” Ryker’s voice drops several octaves.

“I want to go with you. I’ll be good.”

“Absolutely not.” He won’t back down.

“Please, Ryker. I’ll stay in the car—”

“We have to go,” Theo interjects. “You know what will happen if we’re late again.”

Ryker’s eyes flash like hard steel. I can see he’s not ready to give in. At the same time, he knows Theo’s right.

His hard features finally soften a little, and he sighs. Then I know I’ve won this battle. One obstacle down.

“Fine,” he finally agrees. “But you’re staying in the car, understand? You’re not taking a single step out of it.”

I nod politely when Eli offers, “I’ll stay with her. Don’t worry, Ry, she won’t get hurt.”

Ryker isn’t convinced, but he tells Eli to get going.

I tried various ways to get James Elliot’s address. However, it turned out that this address was impossible to get. No one could give even an approximate location. Alex’s informants were also useless in this case.

Nothing. It was as if the man didn’t exist at all.

So, using Ryker for this purpose was the only option.

Just the thought of it makes my heart ache, and a fresh wave of remorse washes over me.

I have no choice.

My thoughts fill the entire journey to Ryker’s father’s place. We drive up the driveway of a white colonial house. Or rather, an estate. The sight of it alone turns my stomach upside down, and I get goosebumps.

I feel as though we’re entering the heart of evil.

Eli parks the car a little off to the side; we don’t drive right up to the estate. It seems enough for us to be on the grounds. Or maybe this is a deliberate move on his part?

“Ry—” I start, but he turns and looks at me sharply.

“Ash, I’m not kidding. Stay in the car, baby. I’ll find out everything and be back soon, okay?”

Sinking deeper into my seat, I know it’s a lost cause to reason with him. He looks me in the eye as if he wants to read my thoughts.

I see when he gathers himself and turns his gaze to his brothers. “Stay with her, both of you. Don’t let her go in there.”

“Sure thing,” Eli says. “We’ll wait here with her.”

Ryker jumps out of the car and disappears behind the door of the mansion.

The car is silent. No one speaks for a long time.

We sit and wait. All three of us stare at the Ryker family home, a house that is a hotbed of evil.

A few minutes pass, and I know I have to act. My heart pounds like it wants to burst out of my chest.