Page 140 of Power of Shadow

“Why are you saying this so bluntly?” Ash asks.

“What can you do? You have no idea what you’re up against,” he mocks us.

Maybe he’s right. Now I see that this is indeed bigger than we thought.

“Why did you give me the order to kill James?” she presses.

“It was my test for the future general of the united organization. I had to prove not only my devotion but also my ability to conduct military operations so that we would win.”

“Couldn’t you just kill him? You were close to him; he trusted you to some extent.” My words make him laugh.

“Why should I get my hands dirty when someone else could do it? The price I paid for it was small. If the plan had gone perfectly, no one would ever have linked me to the murder of the Pact president. The perfect solution.” He sighs and rolls his eyes, unmoved.

A terrifying thought pops into my head. The image before my eyes slowly blurs, and I’m sure it’s related to the loss of blood. It runs down my arm to my fingertips. Despite this, I feel practically no pain at all.

I have to hurry. “Are you going to kill us now?”

“Where would the fun be in that?” He smiles.

Sick son of a bitch.

Each of us is fucked up in our own way, so I shouldn’t judge him, but I have to admit that I underestimated him.

My mistake. I thought he was just a pawn, but he’s more than that...

“Put the gun down, Ryker,” he repeats. “You will not kill us.”

“How can you be so sure?”

“Because James wasn’t the only one who knew where your sister is.”

I don’t believe it.

“You know where Aisling is?” Ash asks and inhales loudly.

Something indefinable flashes across Aiden’s eyes. He knows more than he’s saying. The urge to kill grows in me again.

“The game is just getting started,” he replies and winks at my woman. “Now, excuse us, but it’s time for us to go. We’ll meet again.”

For a second, I struggle with myself about whether to let them go. Still, I lower my weapon and let them leave. Slowly. Unharmed.

I can’t kill them yet, but I promise myself that I’ll find a new way to my sister—this time, through Aiden Matthews.

The vice president himself remains completely indifferent. He didn’t say much and revealed nothing. He had his son to do his bidding, just like my father had me.

But it’s over now...

“You’re right, Aiden,” Ash says in a quiet voice. “This game is just getting started.”

“See you next time, lovebirds.” With these words, Aiden and his father leave my late father’s office. Neither of us makes a move to stop them. I’m sure we both know that the right time will come.

When we’re left alone, I slowly turn to my Little Killer. She comes up to me immediately and springs into action.

From deep inside the house, we hear the shouts of men. I’m sure my brothers are coming to the rescue.

Speaking of...

Ash hides her weapon, takes off her sweatshirt, and starts pressing on the wound on my shoulder until I hiss in pain. Her attention focuses on me. “What the hell were you thinking, Ryker? I could have fucking killed you!”