Crowed (Team Zero #2) by Rina Kent

I don’t even remember what I got from the grocery store. Probably the whole damn store, judging by the huge bag strapped to my back. The only things on my mind were not to take any other unnecessary trips to town, and that I needed to return to Eloise.

Especially since she’s not answering her phone. I know she only uses the device for the internet, and it usually lies forgotten, but fuck if that doesn’t add to my agitation.

Why did I leave in the first place?

I’m barely across the driveway when I make out Cheerio hopping and barking aggressively by the front door.

My bloodstream freezes.

I unstrap the bag and jump from the bike before the engine is properly shut off.

Someone is here.

I retrieve my gun, point it at the entrance and dial the one number that can help.

Ghost answers after a beat.

“I need backup,” I bark, still approaching the house with steady steps. “In return, I’ll take the contract on the Rhodes and distract Hades.”

“Deal.”

“And Ghost?”

“Yeah?”

“I’m leaving you my will. If anything happens to me, use all my savings to help Eloise and keep her safe.”

“Fine.”

“Give me your word.”

The one thing I know about Ghost is that he rarely gives his word, but when he does, he abides by it.

“You have my word.”

A sigh of relief mixes with the rush of adrenaline as I hang up.

Cheerio continues her maddening barks even after she sees me.

I dash her way. “What happened?”

“I happened.” Storm strolls out from the main entrance. Splatters of blood stain his white shirt.

My muscles lock. That’s not... Eloise’s blood, right? It can’t be.

I won’t believe it.

My nostrils flare as I point my gun at him. Of all Team Zero, I didn’t want to face Storm, but if he as much as puts a finger on Eloise, I’ll blow his fucking brains out.

“You’re to return to the UK tonight.” He places a cigarette in his mouth and lights it, seeming completely relaxed, as if we’re talking about a normal day.

“Where is she?” I advance, keeping my aim straight to his forehead.

“Shouldn’t you pack your things?” His gaze falls on his smudged shirt, and he frowns as if only just noticing that it’s bloodied. “You have to go back. Hades’ orders.”

“Fuck Hades,” I grit out, now standing so close to him, I smell the smoke. “Tell me where Eloise is. What have you done to her?”

“She’s asleep.” His lips quirk up. “For now.” He frowns at his shirt again. He’s always been some sort of a germaphobe. It has to do with the few years he spent in med school. The whole obsession with cleanness is ridiculous considering that he deals with blood and killing all the damn time.

“What do you mean by ‘Fuck Hades’?” He blows a cloud of smoke. Another habit that doesn’t add up with his germaphobe nature. He’s always been a mountain of contradictions. “You’re really planning to riot like Ghost and the other cunts?”

“It means that I’m done being a dog.” My gaze trails sideways, trying to catch sight of Eloise. I doubt he kept her inside the house. Storm’s first and most common move is to take his victims away from any familiar place – especially their houses – so they don’t have the advantage of recognising their surroundings.

I can always kill him and search for her, but knowing he loves blowing shit to pieces, I won’t take the risk of him having strapped a bomb to her.

“I saw your untouched stash, but I still didn’t want to believe it.” His thumb and middle finger pinch the spot between his eyebrows. “You’re actually following that cunt Ghost’s steps?”

“I’m following no one’s steps.” I lower my gun and control my breathing. If there’s a way to appeal to the camaraderie we had all these years, then I’ll do that. He’s a victim of Omega, just like me. We shared decades together. That should mean something.

At least, I hope it fucking does.

Besides, I need to stall for time until Ghost gets here.

I force my stance into a relaxed position despite the havoc wreaking inside me. “I just don’t want to be a slave to Omega anymore. It’s destroying us from within. I’ve seen Diablo’s autopsy report. He died of something similar to stage five cancer. Only it had no external symptoms. If we continue taking Omega, we will end up just like him. Hades knew but didn’t give a fuck about our lives.”

“So what?” He takes another long drag of his cigarette. His eyes turn glassier; he’s on the bloody drugs. “If Hades wants us dead, then so be it.”

Fuck Storm and his loathsome loyalty to Hades.

I can’t believe I considered him one of my closest teammates. He’s always been blinded by Hades’ hell and can’t see past it. He’d betray the whole of Team Zero for him.

When I first started getting off Omega, I asked Storm if there’s a life beyond The Pit, and he brushed it off. Then I had that contract in France and decided to delay talking to him until my return.

“Wait a fucking second.” I glare at him as all the pieces fall together. “You’re the traitor. You sent someone to shoot me because I hinted about having a life outside The Pit.”