Page 143 of Power of Shadow

“What do you mean? The Pact existed, exists, and will continue to exist even after James’s death.”

“But who will lead it? You?”

A grimace of dissatisfaction appears on his face. “I’m not cut out for that. I don’t want it.”

It’s not that easy. “Ryker, if you don’t step into the position of president—”

“Then my father’s most powerful general will do it.”

“The vice president,” I guess, and he nods in confirmation. “Either way, Matthews will win. You can’t let that happen.”

Another frown. The warmth of his hand moves from my hip to my ass. “Ash, I don’t want a life like my father or my mother had. I don’t want that kind of life for us.”

“But does it have to be that way?”

“I’m afraid that with the Pact behind us, we won’t be able to live in peace in a small house with a white picket fence, mowing the lawn every Saturday. And our children—”

“Wow, don’t get ahead of yourself, stud.”

Ryker bursts out laughing. “One day you’ll be—”

“Let a woman concentrate on her work,” I interrupt him again, knowing full well what he’s about to say. “And back to the vice president: if you don’t step up now, he’ll win. That means drugs will flow through America in such a wide stream that the Amazon will seem like a trickle in comparison.”

For a moment, Ryker is silent, digesting my words. Finally, he says, “I’ll think about it. Perhaps I could temporarily take over as president of the Pact. But only temporarily, until someone suitable is found for the position.”

“That’s some kind of solution.” I look him in the eyes, my thoughts racing. “If you take that position, they won’t just be hunting you. They’ll be hunting me. Zoe. Us.”

“Let them try. I love you, Ash, more than you can imagine.”

“And I love you, Ryker. I don’t know what will happen next. But we’ll go in the same direction.

Until morning, I watch over the sleeping man in my bed. I can’t close my eyes, afraid he might have internal bleeding.

Before dawn, I get out of bed and drag myself to the kitchen to make coffee.

Zoe emerges from her room shortly after. She sits on a chair by the kitchen island and watches me.

“I heard from Eli what happened,” she finally says.

“Since when do you talk to Eli?”

Instead of answering, she changes the subject. “Is Ryker okay?”

“He’ll be fine.”

“I can’t believe you shot him.” She breaks out in suppressed laughter.

I feign horror, pursing my lips and widening my eyes. “I didn’t mean to. Stop saying that.” Silence falls again, and I clear my throat. “Zoe, I want to talk to you about the past few days. I didn’t mean to keep it a secret. I’m sorry for everything. You were right, I’m a shitty sister.”

“You’re not, Ash. You never have been. You’ve spent your whole life trying to protect me and give me everything I need. I appreciate what you’ve done for me over the years. I’m sorry too. It’s just—for a moment, I felt like we weren’t sisters, and it scared me. Eli made me understand we don’t need to have the same father. Fuck. We don’t even need to have the same mother to be sisters for life.”

“I’ll never hide anything from you again,” I swear with tears in my eyes.

“Can we hug now?” She opens her arms and I fall into them. “I love you, Ash.”

I don’t deserve to be spoken to so lightly; not after what I did that night.

“And I love you, sis. Best friends. Best sisters. Best forever.”