Page 48 of Power of Shadow

Eli shrugs. “And a liar too. Nice set of skills. Need me to refresh your memory? We had a nice little chat not too long ago at the club. Turns out those little hands of yours have a lot of talent. You owe me two thousand.”

“You’re delusional, pretty boy.”

“You can keep them and repay me in other ways.” Eli raises his eyebrows meaningfully several times.

My hands clench into fists when I hear it.

What the fuck?

Ash moves aggressively to him, probably wanting to scratch his eyes out. Funny enough, Alex takes two steps and grabs her waist, like ivy. I fucking hate that, his arm around her.

My gaze burns a hole in his protective stance, and if it were up to me, his hand…

“I don’t owe you anything,” she. Her laser gaze is still focused on him.

God knows when, but Theo finds himself right next to me, watching the entire scene as well.

“You’re wrong, Little Thief. Tick tock. Time is running out. There were fourteen hundred in the wallet, but the compensation is growing with each passing day. Right now, it’s twenty hundred.” Eli smiles, having fun.

“Fuck off,” she growls, but Alex looks at me and adds, “It’s time for you guys.”

“Anger harms beauty, Ash.” Eli provoke. “Don’t be bitter, sweetie.”

“Let’s get out of here.” Theo’s more than eager to leave.

Something doesn’t feel right here, but I have to play it cool.

I nod in agreement with Theo.

“We’ll talk another time, Alex. Think about my offer. It was nice to meet you, Ash.” I gaze into her eyes full of anger.

“We have nothing to talk about,” Alex spits and pulls the girl even closer to him.

Interesting. Alex has a soft spot for her. Good to know.

I leave with my brothers in silence.

A moment later, as we’re in the car, I’m staring out the window, lost in thought about everything that’s happened. My daydream is broken when something lands in my lap.

A phone. I roll my eyes quizzically at Theo.

“Alex’s phone. Make good use of it and find your girl.”

“How did it end up in your hands?”

“I took advantage of the moment when he was holding Ash.”

The grinding of my teeth is answer enough.

Chapter 10

Ashley

Iwatch them until they disappear behind the club door. All of them.

One of them, the quietest one, radiates the energy of a hurt boy. There’s a darkness in him that screams danger. I have no idea who he is.

The other one is an energetic playboy, just as I’d read him the other night. Even his money back request was sort of a joke. He’s not really after the cash. He wants to mess with me.