Page 101 of Power of Shadow

“Do you even know who you’re dealing with? Really? Do you know that he’s part of the Pact, and do you know about their drug activities?”

“I know that, Alex. It’s not uncommon in organizations like that, and you know it.”

“Sure. Do you know that the Pact is one of the two main drug suppliers in the United States? That they work with Loco Muerte? I’m not talking about dealers standing on street corners. I’m talking about tons of drugs distributed across the country, coming from smuggling. And there are only two players, one of whom is your precious boy.”

“I don’t know the details, Alex. I’m not saying what the Pact does is good, but it’s not him. He’s not the one smuggling those drugs, he’s not the one selling them, he’s not the one responsible!”

“You’re looking at him through the prism of fucking or the fact that someone simply paid attention to you? Hasn’t it crossed your mind that he’s playing you? Or that he has a specific goal with this?”

My irritation is reaching the boiling point. It looks like I’m protecting my boyfriend from Alex when he’s trying to protect me.

What’s worse, his words hit me square in the heart. It’s the part about my seeking attention that hits home.

“If that’s all—”

I get up and am about to leave when Alex drives the final blow. “The Pact handles the fentanyl that killed your mother!”

I freeze, my lids drooping. The pain his words cause is excruciating. My breathing deepens as I long to disappear.

“I’m sorry,” I hear him whisper. “I have to tell you this, Princess. I can’t hide it from you.”

One more breath before I start. “I appreciate you telling me this. I’m not saying you’re wrong and that they’re responsible for the ugliest side of this city, this country.” I turn back to him and give him a sharp look. “Except no one is responsible for her doing that to herself. To herself and to us. No one forced her to fuck up our lives by shooting that shit into her veins.”

Alex’s calls reach me as I leave, but I keep going. I believe with all my heart in what I said, and yet I can’t help feeling as if I’ve been punched in the gut.

Angry and in a daze, I leave the pub and head for my car. My hands are shaking, my head is down. I don’t want anyone to see me like this.

I’m almost at the car when I feel someone grab me from behind by the neck. A second later, pain shoots through my back as I’m thrown against the building wall. I blink rapidly to bring my vision back into focus.

A male figure, taller than me and built like a damn Transformer, stands in front of me. He’s wearing a black mask on his face, a hood over his head.

Before I can say a word, he swings and hits me in the face with his gun. His strength knocks me to my knees, and I taste the metallic tang of blood. Red saliva spills onto the smelly pavement, as if I had to see it with my own eyes before I could believe it.

That’s all I need.

From my position, I swing my leg with all my force, kicking my opponent and sweeping his legs out from under him. The impact of his body hitting the ground isn’t very effective, because in the blink of an eye he throws himself at me, rolls me onto my back, and punches twice across my face.

I try to throw him off me but he’s too heavy, the bastard. I reach for my pants, where my knife is hidden.

Just a little more, just a little more...

When his hands fall on my neck and effectively squeeze, cutting off my air supply, I think this might be it. This one moment when neither my speed nor my abilities are enough.

I’m begging for a breath of air, but his fingers are like iron. My head throbs with pain, I’m suffocating.

In my mind’s eye, I see Zoe’s face...

No!

“I have a message for you. You’ll die because of him.”

My head is spinning. I don’t know this man’s voice. I’m sure of that.

Because of him? Because of whom? My father? Ryker? Alex?

My consciousness begins to slip away, but I finally succeed in finding the blade with my fingers. I grab it and pull it out inch by inch.

Just a little more! Don’t give up now!