Ghosted (Team Zero #3) by Rina Kent

God, I wish I could tell him about Zoe, but knowing his ties with Mist – and possibly Ghost – he might hurt or kick me out. I might be inexplicably drawn to Julian, but I never for once ignored the danger he emanates or that robotic look.

So, I try to play it safe. “I’m fighting for my family. I have debts, remember?”

He narrows his eyes the slightest bit. “You have a family?”

“A friend,” I whisper. “She’s been my family since Ma’s death.”

A glimmer of something unrecognisable covers the lines of his face. It’s like he’s reading everything from my expression to the meaning behind my words. “How come she never visits you?”

“She’s travelling,” I croak, then quickly follow up with, “I don’t want her anywhere near this place.”

“You shouldn’t be anywhere near this place, either, Firefly.” There’s an unusual softness in his voice and face. I nearly melt.

“Would you hurt me?” My own voice is barely audible. “If I screw up, would you kill me?”

His eyes darken. “You intend to screw up?”

I offer an awkward smile. “I’m asking what if.”

“I don’t forgive betrayal, but...”

“But?”

The intensity in his eyes almost swallows me. “I want to trust you, Firefly.”

“But you can’t.”

“Because you’re not allowing me to.”

“I’m just scared.” I’m surprised by my own words. Because I am. Of him. Of the roots I’m growing in this world for him. I was supposed to only come for Zoe, but now there’s Julian, and I have no idea how to handle it anymore.

The lines are becoming blurry.

I try to change the subject. “I mean, I heard a rumour about the girls being hurt if... you know...”

“We don’t hurt the girls.”

“Never?”

“Never.” There’s isn’t the slightest doubt or hesitation. He’s telling the truth.

A long breath, I hadn’t realised I was holding, leaves me. At least Julian didn’t hurt Zoe. No idea why I’m unexplainably happy about that.

It’s because of this stupid happiness that I shut my eyes and edge closer to his chest.

“You should be scared, Firefly.” Julian’s arm wraps around me in a steel-like embrace. “Now that you’re in my world, I’m tempted to never let you go.”

That’s ought to terrify me, send me running for the hills, but a small, foolish part thinks, Then, don’t.





Chapter Thirteen





Shadow is filling me in about the new factory’s production, but I’m only half-listening. The wallpaper in the hallway, leading to Mist’s office, is turning into a blur.

For once, it’s not because of Omega’s withdrawal symptoms.

It’s all due to the woman I left sleeping in my bed. That bed used to be a place on which I threw my body whenever exhaustion reared on my nerves. Just a necessity to regroup after Omega’s detoxification.

Since Elle started sleeping in my arms, that bed is becoming my favourite place to be.

It’s only been two weeks, but hugging her to sleep has turned natural. Although the most natural thing would be to flip her under me and sink inside her, she’s usually asleep when I get back and remains in deep slumber when I set out. So I just hug her.

For now.

When she sighs and leans into my arms, it’s strangely enough to wean off the chaos in my head.

When she mumbles in her sleep with that furrowed expression, I want to take all that pain away. I want to make her feel safe and protected. Forget about the streets’ life and what she suffered.

Sometimes, she wakes up in the middle of the night, throwing punches in the air and freaks out when there’s no light. I know it’s because of how she found her mother. While my own mother abandoned me, I don’t remember any connection with her. Elle does, and it still haunts her. I want to kiss those fears away, but she always hides anything that could show her as weak.

It drives me fucking nuts when she shields her true self from me, but I tolerate it and just hug her back to sleep.

Because the truth is... what will I offer on behalf of those fears? A more violent life. Hades on our back, Omega in our bloodstream, and a family of assassins. Who in their right bloody mind would ever sign up for that?

I’ve been an impulsive idiot by claiming her as mine. But just the thought of Kyle – or any other man – putting his hands on her shoots fire through my veins.

Would I make that decision again?

Absolutely.

“Mate!” Shadow snaps his fingers in front of my face. “Where did you go?”

“I’m here.”

“A load of cobblers! You were also distracted during this morning’s workout.” He stops in front of Mist’s office. All usual humour washes off his face. “President Joe, Hades and even the bloody police are on our arses. This isn’t the time to zone the fuck out.”

I run a hand on my face. He’s right. This isn’t only about me, it’s about the lives of the people I consider family.

Hawk is still being tortured, and Celeste doesn’t have anything useful.

“I’ll be fine.” I clutch his shoulder. He tenses, and I quickly drop my hand. The hell is wrong with me? I know he hates being touched. “My bad.”