Page 6 of Power of Shadow

“Of course.” I murmur.

The rooms have color-based names. For instance, the white room caters to people desiring purity; the gold room tempts those who need royal decor and treatment. But red... The red room is something special for clients who enjoy BDSM.

In a few steps, we find ourselves at the door of this room. I nod in greeting to the guard standing next to it. When Eli snaps his fingers, the guard pulls back the burgundy curtain for us.

The menacing-looking bouncer has the boring job of keeping order, although from time to time, one customer provides my people with entertainment as kicking someone’s ass. It happens.

We enter, and Eli stands right next to me. He folds his arms and assesses the situation.

On a small stage, a blonde is dancing on a pole. Wearing only modest red panties, she bends her body to the rhythm. A matching red bra lies at her feet. Next to it is a black whip.

Timothy is sprawled out in the middle of the sofa, a few steps away from the stage.

With confidence, I approach, give Timothy a quick glance, and sit down. My eyes are fixed on the blonde, whose butt is now higher than her head. Bent in half, she slowly runs her hands up her calves and higher.

Even though I’m looking at her, I’m completely focused on Timothy.

He has changed over the years. It’s obvious he has gained weight, as his stomach is now larger than his dick. Once dark hair is now sprinkled with gray. His light skin has a yellow color.

As far as I know, he’s terminally ill, and who knows if these aren’t his last pleasant moments in life.

Regardless, he’s dressed in a suit for the visit today. When I was a kid, he used to wore a similar one.

“Ryker,” Timothy says in a low voice, staring ahead.

“Timothy.”

“It’s good to see you, boy. You’ve changed a lot since I last saw you. How long has it been? Fifteen years?”

“More or less. But you’re right. I have little in common with that boy now.”

“I see. To what do I owe the honor of being invited to the Pact’s place of revelry? I thought your father had banned me not only financially, but here you are...”

“My father doesn’t control this place. You’re not here because of him.”

At my words, Timothy laughs with scorn and shakes his head. After a moment, however, he adds, “Don’t think for a second that James has no idea what’s going on here. He knows and controls everything.”

“You’re lucky he let you live back then, and only because of your long-standing friendship did he punish you only with restrictions on your influence and freedom.”

“Is that really luck on my end?”

It’s no secret what he means. The image of Timothy kneeling, crying, and begging my father for forgiveness is vivid in my memory. The betrayal was plain in my mother’s gaze. Heartbroken, she knelt next to her lover.

Compared to my mother, Timothy was undoubtedly more fortunate. As I stood beside my father, I had no idea he would soon draw a gun and shoot her in the heart.

Bam!

The sound of the shot echoes in my head. Timothy’s scream is completely lost. And I don’t even have time to blink before my mom’s lifeless body falls backward.

The sight of that traitor makes me want to rip his heart out.

For a second, I’m back in that cursed place.

“I should’ve killed you back then,” I hiss as I return to the present.

“I know, but you have to understand she was the only woman I ever loved. No one before or after her meant anything to me. I was madly in love with her.”

“Not enough to save her. Right?”