Page 139 of Power of Shadow

“I won’t tell you shit! Do you think you’ll ever see her again? You’re such an idiot that you’ve let yourself be led by the nose for years, living on hope. She never had the right to exist in this house. She was just a means to an end, just like your mother. Just like you!”

I make one last move and stand in the line of fire. Now I’m facing my father, shielding my woman with my body.

“Damn it, Ryker,” I hear behind me, but I don’t react. “What are you doing?”

I’m saving what’s most precious to me in this world.

“You think I don’t see what you’re doing?” my father continues. “You don’t have the balls. You never did. And now you want to protect this stray. You’ll never find your sister, and if I have anything to say about it, I’ll kill her with my own hands! And now time is up for your bitch too. I hope she suffers, and that’s what will kill you. You’re just like your mother!”

BANG!

As soon as James’s words reach my consciousness, I know I have to do it.

One bullet is enough to end it.

One bullet right between his eyes.

He had no idea where my sister was.

Not only did he not know, but he also used it to manipulate me, to control me like a puppet. He knew perfectly well that I loved these women and used it against me for years.

And I couldn’t let him do the same to Ash. I would rather die a thousand times than see any of these women suffer for a single minute. It was too late for my mother, but I could still do something for Aisling and Ash.

Enough.

Killing him was the only way out. And I was sure that when it finally happened, I would be filled with joy. But all I feel right now is boundless relief.

I’m not killing him out of the revenge of a thirteen-year-old boy, but out of the need of a man who has someone to protect.

My father’s body falls to the floor. Blood oozes from his head, forming a pool. He’s dead. Isn’t it ironic? That my mother died close to this spot?

The demon inside me smiles at me. It’s pleased.

A warm hand touches my back. Ash. I realize that this isn’t over and that we still have something to sort out here.

I turn to the two other men. My gun is still raised, which Aiden notices. He gestures for me to put it down, but I have no intention of doing so.

“Why would someone want him dead?” I hiss at them.

Ash is silent.

Matthews looks at us, seemingly bored.

I know where to look for answers. “Aiden? Care to enlighten us?”

“You’ve always been two steps behind me, even when you thought you were better, Ryker.” He laughs and shakes his head. “It’s very simple. It was about getting James out of his position in the Pact. Someone else wants it. Only it’s much bigger than you think.”

“Someone just wants to take over the Pact?” Ash asks.

“Not just take over, little Shadow. Right now, we have two cartels in the States. Two sources of distribution. Two sources of income. Why share the profits when you can pocket it all?”

Aiden’s confidence reminds me of my father’s. He stands relaxed, as if he doesn’t have a gun pointed at his heart. He thinks he’s untouchable. Immortal.

“Someone wants to merge the cartels,” I guess. “Who is it?”

A slight gesture is enough for me to know who started it all. All Aiden has to do is look at his father.

And to think that it was only because of me that this man became Vice President of the United States.