Page 8 of Power of Shadow

“Patience, Ryker. Our target brought a guest with him. You’ll see for yourself soon. I just don’t know how, for so many years, no one dug up this skeleton from his closet.”

I run my hand through my hair, feeling the excitement buzz under my skin.

“Another mistress? A high-profile person? There’s no scandal he can’t cover up with his team of lawyers.” I try to read something on Eli’s face, but he just smiles.

“Patience has never been your strong suit. I’ll answer your question before you ask it: the cameras record everything. Within an hour, a copy will be on a flash drive on your desk.”

We walk along the auction room now. The marble floor reflects the glow cast by the crystal chandeliers. A man is pressing a woman against the wall. Her makeup is running down her tear-stained face, but she still looks pretty. Her short, blond hair is messy. Her blue satin dress is rolled up at her waist, exposing her small breasts.

The man stands as close to her as he can, between her thighs. One of his hands is on the wall, trapping his friend, while the other is gripping her ass in a possessive way.

When we pass them, the man turns his head toward us, and he bows his head with respect.

We reach a room with a black-and-gold door. Behind it, there’s a room in a comparable style, which is filled with black, gold, and glamour. This room alone cost a small fortune.

The energy permeates every part of me. My hands are restless, as is the rest of me, so without further ado, I place a hand on the fingerprint reader. This way, I don’t need a key, and all the locks in the club are open to me. I grab the doorknob and go inside.

After just one step, I freeze in my tracks.

A rumpled black satin sheet lies on the bed against the wall. In the middle of a young boy, who looks to be in his teens but definitely not of age. Protruding ribs are visible on his pale body. He has tousled dark hair, lips swollen from kissing, and eyes wide in terror.

Did I mention the boy is naked? Oh yes, I forgot. So, he’s naked, his legs spread, his hard dick ready for action. Or rather, in the middle of the action.

But he’s not the target here. I shift my gaze to the other man, who’s kneeling naked between the boy’s legs.

“Leave us,” I say to the boy, my voice leaves no room for objection.

The boy jumps up from the bed immediately. With trembling hands, he pulls on his boxers, black jeans, and throws a T-shirt over his head. A minute later, he slips out the door.

I take two steps, keeping my eyes on the guy still kneeling on the bed. “Good evening, Mr. Vice President.” My low voice is like a steel.

“What the fuck is this?” he attacks, voice raised.

Winston Cartwright, Vice President of the United States, is kneeling naked as Mother Nature created him. It’s no secret he dates many women, even though he has a loving wife at home. But this... This is a whole different league.

Eli’s right. He tied the noose around his own thick neck.

Winston runs his fingers through his black hair in frustration.

“I hope your evening has been as enjoyable as mine,” I sneer.

“Don’t fuck with me, boy! Who are you and what is all this about?”

“I’m not a boy, and I’m certainly not one you can fuck.” Eli’s snort echoes around the room. “My name’s Ryker... and you’re a guest at my club.”

Understanding dawns on his face as he realizes whom he’s dealing with. “You’re James’s son? I’ll make sure he finds out about everything that happened tonight.”

“That won’t be necessary... Allow me to tell you what will happen tomorrow, Mr. Vice President. Tomorrow, you’ll go to the president and submit your immediate resignation from office, in writing. I don’t care what happens to you after that. Do we understand each other?”

Cartwright’s anger gives way to terror, followed by disbelief. Slowly, all the pieces of the puzzle fit together and form an obvious whole for him. “It’s about the Pact,” he moans.

My confirmation or denial is unnecessary.

He asks the stupidest question possible. “What if I don’t?”

Eli chuckles, and I’m sure he’s shaking his head in disapproval. How this man ended up in such a position is beyond me.

With a sigh, I express my disappointment as if at a naughty child. “The truth is, Mr. Vice President, that a person cannot deceive their true nature for their entire life. Let me illustrate this with your example. You’re a wealthy man, with connections and opportunities. But that means so little. Your wife will be disgusted with you the moment she sees the footage from this room. You have children who will disown you and won’t want to look at you when they see the photos. After today, your friends will no longer support you. You have wealth that will simply go poof... and disappear tomorrow evening. And then you’ll disappear too. Isn’t that a sad picture?”