Page 135 of Power of Shadow

So I’m not the only one surprising them, because I didn’t expect the newly minted vice president to be here.

It was stupid and rash of me to make that plan. Now I know it was my mistake.

A witness who is a high-ranking politician is no insignificant problem. It’s more than a problem. It’s my sentence.

Zoe’s face flashes through my mind and gives me new determination. Even at the cost of my life, I have to do what I came here to do.

“What does this mean, Ronald?” James asks in a razor-sharp voice.

Before my new colleague answers his employer, I whisper to him, “Ronald, thank you for your help. You’re invaluable. Now take a nap.”

Lifting my hand, I strike him on the back of the head with the butt of my gun. For a moment, I hope that will be enough, because I don’t want to do it again. Ronald falls to his knees in front of me, then face down on the floor. A dull thud fills the room, and all eyes turn to the spot.

Ronald doesn’t move. I’m not sure how long I’ve knocked him out for, so I have to act quickly.

I raise my gun and point it at James Elliot. Eyes similar to the ones I love so much stare provocatively at me.

“Gentlemen, let me introduce you. Ashley Baker,” James says with obvious disgust.

“Charles Baker’s daughter? Is it a coincidence that you have the same surname?” The vice president seems genuinely interested.

“The one and only,” comments the unknown young man.

He watches me and smiles, completely oblivious to the gravity of the situation we’re in.

“Actually, my name isn’t Baker. I’m Ashley Monroe.”

I try to come up with a new plan of action in my head. Nothing sensible comes to mind.

With sadness in my eyes, I look at Ryker. I already know things won’t end the way I want them to. Our story won’t have a happy ending.

Fear runs down my spine, but only for a split second. Then acceptance sets in.

I won’t get out of this alive.

“Despite your name, you’re still the daughter of a former senator. My condolences seem in order,” adds the vice president.

My head immediately turns in his direction, which isn’t very smart. Distraction is the most common mistake people make in this business. And I can’t afford that.

What a mess.

As I can see, news travels fast. Have the Rykers already discussed this?

“Ash, what the fuck are you doing here?” Ryker’s voice is calm, but when I glance at him again, there’s fear lurking in his eyes.

“Isn’t it obvious that she’s here for me?” his father replies. “Looks like your girlfriend has bigger balls than you, son, holding a gun pointed at me.”

“You killed my father,” I hiss with contempt.

“No, I didn’t kill him.”

“You think I’m going to take the word of someone like you at face value? Wherever you set foot, you wreak havoc and evil, spreading the ugliness of this world and bringing out the worst in people. You don’t care about anyone but yourself, not even your loved ones.”

“I guess Ryker has been telling you a few stories.” He laughs, even though he’s the only one who has done anything. The others watch our interaction. “But I’ll give you a little advice as my son’s toy. Be careful what you say to me and how you say it, because toys have a tendency to break beyond repair.”

I take the safety off my gun, and the quiet click is loud and clear.

“Ash, what are you doing? He didn’t do it. Put the gun down,” Ryker interjects.