Page 19 of Power of Shadow

She leads my hand to the center, and we both fixate on it, mesmerized.

“What now?” I ask in a hushed voice.

“Now we wait for your sister to greet you with a kick.”

“But I don’t want her to kick you. It’ll hurt.”

“It doesn’t hurt, Ryker. Sometimes the baby stretches in the belly and you can see, for example, a fist or a heel. A bump on the belly. And sometimes the baby is restless or wants to play and kicks lightly, but it doesn’t hurt.”

Right then something moves under my hand. I wasn’t expecting that. It’s weird.

A smile slowly spreads across my face. I want to say hello to my little sister again, so I place my hand more firmly in the same spot.

“What will her name be?” I ask.

“What would you like her name to be? Maybe you have an idea?”

I don’t have to think long. “Maybe we’ll call her Cristiano Ronaldo? Like the famous soccer player?”

Mom throws her head back and bursts into laughter. She shakes her head and says, “But Cristiano is a man. And you’re going to have a little sister.”

She’s kind of right. I don’t know many soccer players, so I list the names of girls that come to mind.

“Maybe we’ll name her Aisling. Like Grandma’s name?” My sister responds to my suggestion with another kick. “Aisling. Do you like the name Aisling?” I ask Mom’s belly and get another kick.

“She likes it,” mom says. “I like it too, and it’s a great idea to name her after your grandma. Did you know this Irish name means ‘hopeful dream’?”

I stroke the same spot, lean over, and whisper, “I love you, Aisling.”

I didn’t know then that this name would be my prayer. And my curse.

My sister was born on April 22. She’s the most beautiful creature I’ve ever seen. When her little fingers clasp mine, it feels like she’s holding my heart. My legs buckle when she smiles.

Even before she was born, I loved her, but when I see her for the first time, I know she’s my person in this world. My number one.

We spend a few days in the hospital. Mom, Aisling, and me. At first, the doctor doesn’t want to let me stay with them. So, Mom asks me to get some water from the machine in the hallway, and when I return to her room, the doctor no longer objects to my presence. How did Mom convince him? I have no idea, but we’re together.

On the second day after Aisling’s birth, I ask when my father will come to meet my little sister. Mom makes a face that I don’t understand and only says that Dad has some important business to attend to.

I can hardly think of anything more significant than my little sister being born. However, it’s not so bad that he’s not with us.

When the three of us come home and discover him there, it confirms this feeling.

Chapter 4

Ryker

“Ryker Elliot. How can I help you—”

Boom.

Just like that, this asshole meets my right fist. In that one move, I put all the anger that has been building up since I met with my father two days ago. So, George accepts my greeting and hits the floor with full force.

His hands cover already bleeding nose. Within seconds, blood seeps through his fingers, dripping onto white shirt, neck, and then the floor.

“Stop whining like a bitch. It’s annoying,” I taunt him.

Stepping over his writhing body, I enter the penthouse. My two brothers follow behind, Theo almost accidentally kicking the guy in the ribs.