Page 31 of Power of Shadow

“I’m sorry, what? I must have heard wrong,” Eli gasps between coughs.

“I don’t think so,” Theo adds.

“I said what I said.” Another shrug from me.

“Ryker, can you rewind? Theo and I are currently lost.”

“I fell in love. It happens.”

“Not in our world, Ry.” Eli sips his whiskey and shakes head. “Is he high?” He directs the question to Theo.

“Are you high?” Theo asks, suspicious.

“No, I’m not. I don’t do drugs. What’s wrong with you guys?”

“Us? What’s wrong with us?”

“Okay, okay.” I raise my hands in resignation. “I was going to ask David Baker a few questions about his brother, but when I showed up at his house last night, he wasn’t alone,” I explain, putting down my glass.

“Don’t tell me you interrupted him with some chick.” Eli chuckles.

“No. But I interrupted Shadow’s interrogation.”

After my words, the room falls silent. The guys look at each other and then back at me. Eli crosses his legs as if something is bothering him.

“That Shadow?” Theo’s the first to speak. “I heard he’s not a fan of yours and would love to slit your throat. He’s the best of the best.”

“The one and only. Don’t know anyone else with that nickname.”

“How do you know it’s him? No one has ever seen him. The guy’s like a damn ghost; everyone knows about him, but no one has seen him. The name suits him, by the way,” adds Eli.

“It’s not him. It’s her. Shadow’s a woman.” I lean my head back. It’s nice to see my friends’ shocked faces.

It takes them a moment to get comfortable with this news. I know exactly what they’re thinking right now. I can see it in Theo’s narrowed eyes and Eli’s parted lips.

How is it possible that none of us knew this after being in the business for so many years?

“For a moment there, I was worried you were playing for the other team, but brother—who am I to judge you? What a relief. So, what does she look like?” Eli’s interest doesn’t sit well with me.

This is something new. Why is that?

“I don’t know yet. She had a mask on her face made of something hard that hurt my hand when I hit her. Something similar to what I saw in the movie Mortal Combat.”

“You hit her in the face?” Theo can’t believe it. He’s unusually chatty today.

“Right after she cut me down,” I hiss through my teeth, embarrassed, though I’m also impressed. “What was I supposed to do? Let her beat me because she was hot?”

“I would have,” Eli mumbles and raises a suggestive eyebrow. I give him a frosty look. “Okay, okay, I’ll shut up.”

“It started with us fighting over who got to interrogate the target. She knew I wouldn’t let up and wouldn’t leave until I got what I came for. I knew she wouldn’t leave anything of him. Anyway, she’s good. Really good. She can fight. She’s as agile as a damn gymnast and fast too. And relentless. Even when I was choking her. Fighting my erection wasn’t easy.”

Eli takes another sip of his drink. “So you met yourself in female form. It’s either going to be a disaster or a sexual earthquake. How did she get out of your grip when you were choking her?”

I’m not ashamed to admit it, even though the guys will have a field day at my expense. “She stuck a throwing knife under my ribs.”

I’m not wrong, and laughter echoes through the office. Even Theo smiles.

“That’s better than last night’s blowjob,” Eli cackles. “No wonder she charmed you. I understand that the bruise on your face is her declaration of love.”