Page 99 of Power of Shadow

“Are you with him right now?” His tone is harsher than I would like.

I automatically turn over in bed and look at Ryker sleeping on his stomach. In the daylight, the skull tattooed across his back, with empty eye sockets surrounded by ivy and flames, looks stunning. With each breath, the muscles in his back rise and fall a little.

My mouth waters. Just a few hours ago, we were having wild sex, and now I want to lick him again.

“It’s none of your business, Alex,” I hiss.

“So you are. Excellent. We need to meet today, preferably as soon as possible.”

“I don’t even care how you know where I am, whose bed I’m sleeping in. I can’t right now; maybe I’ll drop by the pub later.”

“Start thinking with your head, not your pussy, Ash. I’m waiting.”

Alex’s icy words end our call; he hangs up.

I stare at the phone in disbelief. He never acts like this. What’s gotten into him? After everything we’ve been through, now he’s going to tell me what to do and with whom? Maybe there’s something going on that I don’t know about?

I slip slowly out of bed.

A little later, without waking Ryker, I sneak out of his apartment. I have a few things to take care of, and I need to clear my head. The close relationship between us is messing with my mind.

Ryker has very quickly gone from being my rival to someone I care about. It’s not just about the sex, although that’s amazing. With his mission-driven attitude, he’s worming his way into my heart, and I can’t help it. Continuing what we have could complicate things even more. Except he doesn’t see it as a problem, but as an issue that needs to be solved. He refuses to accept the fact that no good can come of it.

When the parking lot in front of the pub is full, I park my car on one of the side streets. Dusk is falling, and the tall buildings don’t help to keep the daylight in. However, I find comfort in being in the shadows, in the darkness.

A few minutes later, I step into Black Thorns. The song “Citizen Soldier” is blaring in the pub, and cigarette smoke wafts through the air along with the scent of beer. Quite a crowd has gathered here this evening.

I glance around at the faces of the club members; a few of them nod at me in greeting. Those who don’t know me are eyeing me with curiosity. What could someone like me be doing here? Newbies. I’ve been coming here longer than they’ve been wearing the club badge on their chest.

Passing the tables, I head straight for the counter. Before I can say hello, though, the bartender nods toward the back. “He’s in his office,” he says, cleaning a beer mug. His name is Rick or Ron. I’m not sure.

I push my way along the bar, already crowded with people. The girls here are trying to get someone to buy them a drink. The men see what they can get for that drink. In a small space, two women are dancing with each other, touching and kissing, putting on a show for three men sitting on the couch.

Rolling my eyes, I ignore the longing gaze from one of them.

I head toward the back. Passing the bathrooms, I turn right. At the end is the door to Alex’s office. I’m about to knock but decide not to. Instead, I step inside as if I own the place.

Alex’s head snaps up. His angry gaze turns to surprise, eyebrows raised. He’s standing straight in front of his desk, a blond woman kneeling before him. Her black leather skirt is hiked up to her waist, a strip of red thong visible between her ass cheeks. Her white tank top is pulled down enough to reveal her full breasts spilling out from the neckline.

The blonde doesn’t even notice my invasion, or maybe she doesn’t care. She leans forward as Alex’s hips thrust forward. He hasn’t even bothered to take off his pants while she’s giving him a fucking blowjob.

An unpleasant lump forms in my throat. I’m about to turn on my heel and give them a few minutes when Alex tilts his head back and continues to watch me from under his half-closed lids. Grabbing the blonde’s head, he moves it faster than before.

I read the challenge on his face. He’s asking me if I’m going to do anything about it, if I’ll have the balls to keep watching him fuck her mouth. I don’t particularly want to, but I won’t give him that satisfaction.

Closing the door behind me, I approach the armchair in the corner, and sit down, crossing my legs.

Alex’s gaze darkens, his jaw clenched. The plan doesn’t work.

“Fuck you,” he snaps at me. Holding the girl’s head, he thrusts his hips a few more times and cums deep in her throat, letting out a low growl. The blonde takes everything he gives her.

Disgusting.

Under different circumstances, I might say it’s hot, but I have to make it clear to him where the line is.

Alex slides out of her mouth and tucks his cock into his pants. My gaze doesn’t stray from his face for a second, and that probably pisses him off even more.

And that’s fine.