Ghosted (Team Zero #3) by Rina Kent

The door shuts close behind Scar.

I remain seated and face Mist. My body tightens as if I’m about to fight. Now, I wish Scar stayed. She’s possibly the only person I feel comfortable around in this hellhole.

Mist doesn’t usually talk to waitresses. Her main responsibility is the escorts. I managed to stay out of her hawk-like radar these past few days. At least, I thought I did.

“You’re to be dispatched,” she says with that detached tone of hers.

My pulse picks up. No. I did everything to belong here. I even made all my famous cocktails. Why would they want me gone?

I can’t leave now that I’m getting closer to finding more about Zoe.

My back straightens as I stare into Mist glassed over eyes. “I did nothing wrong. Why would I be dispatched?”

She squints for a fraction of a second, then regains her pristine posture. “I need you to deliver something new.”

I narrow my eyes at how she emphasised ‘new.’

“Why me?”

“Why not you?”

My mind goes rampant. What would the redhead witch have me deliver? Drugs? Okay, maybe this isn’t so pointless after all. I will tell Liam about it. Perhaps he can gather enough evidence to make Mist, and therefore, Ghost fall. And we would know where the hell they have taken Zoe.

Perhaps they made Zoe deliver drugs, too. The fucking thugs.

“I will be giving you a bag. All you have to do is deliver it to a client at a specific address. Don’t look inside. Don’t answer any question. Just deliver.” Mist approaches until she’s a short distance away. “Can you do it?”

“Of course,” I say in a neutral tone.

Time to get the gears moving.





Difference between saying something and doing it? Huge.

My heartbeat thunders as I walk down the second floor’s hall, carrying the handbag Mist has given me. The sound of my heels digs into my head.

I know illegal. I’ve done illegal. The underground boxing matches are nowhere near legal, but drugs are an entirely different story.

Ma left me for this fucking poison.

She ended up alone and dead near a dumpster in the dark like a damn dog.

I can’t believe I’m helping in its distribution.

My hold tightens on the handbag. Liam would help. He’d stop these monsters from destroying the streets. I already sent him a message, and I’ll call as soon as I’m out of here.

A hand clasps around my wrist. My other hand clenches into a fist, but I miraculously stop myself from throwing a punch.

My head jerks up. Deep brown eyes peer at me with a dark gleam.

My breathing turns shallow in an instant.

Julian’s head is tilted to the side, watching with undivided attention. His strong, unyielding hold on my wrist causes my pulse to skyrocket.

Seriously, what the hell is wrong with these reactions around him? I breathe through my nose and try to release myself.

He tightens his clutch. It’s firm but doesn’t hurt.

“I have somewhere to go in case Mist didn’t tell you.” I want to slap the sarcasm out of my voice. Making him angry is definitely not in my best interest.

“You didn’t say no.” The cool ramble of his voice drifts around me, and it’s doing stupid shit to the temperature here. Add his skin against my inner wrist, and I’m nearing the ignition point.

“What do you mean?”

“You could’ve refused, but didn’t.”

I shrug. “I didn’t know I had the choice.”

“You know now.” Still keeping my wrist hostage, he approaches until I have to crane my head to look at him. Worse, his natural scent with the faintest hint of cedar is turning my head. “Tell me what you’re here for, and you won’t have to go.”

“How many times should I repeat myself? It’s to work.” I push away from him, and surprisingly, he lets me go.

Also surprisingly, I don’t freaking like the emptiness.

“Your choice, Firefly.” He turns around and leaves.

I stare at his strong back, outlined by the jacket. That man is a freaking enigma. I don’t even know what the heck to do with him.





I quicken my pace down the crowded street, trying to get through the late afternoon chaos. People rush to pubs and others to their families. Me, on the other hand? I’m walking straight towards a drug den.

My palms turn sweatier the more I approach the designated address. The bag on my arm feels like it weighs kilos even though it isn’t that heavy.

Two police officers walk by, chatting and laughing. First thought: freeze. Second thought: fucking run. Thankfully, I do neither. It takes all my will but I swallow and pretend I’m part of the happy go lucky crowd.

The thought that I’m distributing drugs, undercover or not, makes me sick to my stomach. I stroke my bracelet to remain calm.

I cast a discreet glance around, then retrieve my phone and dial Liam. I’ve called earlier and briefed him.

“I’m right behind you,” he says as soon as he answers. “Don’t look back, just keep on going. As long as you have your GPS on, I’ll be able to track you.”

“What will you do if I make the transaction?” I whisper. “Mist isn’t here. You can’t catch her.”

“No, but I can catch the receiver who might point at his provider.”