Page 103 of Shadow
“Far enough. That’s all you need to know.”
Daphne’s jaw clenched. But she didn’t push. Just nodded once and left through the connecting door. Closed it quietly behind her. The latch clicked.
Asher stood there, listening to her move around the other room. Low voices as she spoke to Destiny.
Through the door, he heard Destiny’s response. Thin. Fragile. Like old paper tearing. “I don’t know if I can do this. I don’t know if I have the strength—”
“You do. You’re stronger than you think. Have a little faith. And I’ll be with you the whole time.”
Somehow, the words just pinged inside him and clung to his bones.
Found his soul. He didn’t exactly know why.
Roger emerged from the bathroom, hair damp and sticking up. Face scrubbed pink. He wore jeans and a rumpled button-down. Steam billowed out behind him, smelling of cheap motel soap and shampoo. “What plan? What’s happening tonight?”
Asher turned to face him. Assessed how much to say. “We’re staging your death. Making the syndicate think they won. Then we’re disappearing until the testimony.”
Roger stared at him. “You’re serious.”
“Yes.”
“And Daphne’s okay with this?”
“It was her idea.”
Roger was quiet. Processing. His hand went to his collar, adjusting it even though it didn’t need adjusting. Nervous habit. Then, “Where are we going after?”
“Somewhere safe.”
Roger’s eyes narrowed. His hand dropped from his collar. “You don’t trust me.”
“I don’t trust anyone right now. Someone leaked our location. Until I know who, I’m not sharing anything that could compromise us again.”
Roger studied him, something calculating in his expression. Something that made the hair on the back of Asher’s neck stand up. Like watching a snake decide whether to strike or retreat.
“You know they’ll come after us anyway,” Roger said. “Even if they think we’re dead. Even if we hide. They won’t stop until—” He paused. Shook his head. “Doesn’t matter.”
“Until what?”
“Nothing. Forget it.”
“Listen. You testify, this is over.”
Roger laughed. Bitter. Harsh. Like glass breaking. “You really believe that? You think a testimony ends this?”
“It puts Draven Frost away. Dismantles the syndicate.”
“Does it?” Roger walked over to the coffee machine. “I need coffee. Real coffee. Not motel coffee.” His hands shook. Just slightly. But enough for Asher to notice. Then, “You have no idea what you’re dealing with. None of you do.”
Asher watched him. The defensiveness. The way Roger wouldn’t meet his eyes. “What aren’t you telling us?”
“Nothing.” Roger’s voice went sharp. “I’m not telling you nothing.” He picked up the coffeepot and spun and threw it against the wall. It crashed into shards and Asher jumped back. “You want me to testify? Fine. I’ll testify. But don’t pretend you know what happens after. Don’t pretend any of us are safe just because I get on that witness stand.”
He headed back to the bathroom, door slamming behind him. The thin walls shook.
Asher stood there, Roger’s words echoing.
They won’t stop until—
