Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

We bicker some more about how he can’t change quotes. He can only steal them. I do that to Elle all the time.

Shadow thinks idioms and quotes are nonsense if they’re preserved like they are. We have more versatile language now, so we should spice them up.

When we head back to the stable, I actually feel a certain comfort. Ever since I came into Le Salon, I hadn’t felt as carefree as I did on this ride, and it’s thanks to the overbearing person behind me.

He hops from the horse and offers his hand to help me. My chest flutters at the look in his overcast eyes. They’re too heated, but also unreadable.

I suck in a deep breath, but before I can place my hand in his, the mare neighs and moves. I lose my balance and shriek while falling. Large hands clutch me by the hips. My hands land on his broad shoulders as my feet touch the ground.

Shadow doesn’t remove his clutch on my hips. My top hunches up and his thumbs glide over my naked skin. My nipples throb and the sensation travels down my thighs.

His stormy gaze roams all over my face with so much intensity. He looks like he wants to fuck me then hurt me. Or maybe fuck me and hurt me at the same time.

A guttural moan lodges at the back of my throat.

My heartbeat pounds in my throat, and my lids fight to flutter close. My lips tingle with anticipation until I taste it. Shadow’s breaths tickle the side of my neck, and I can feel his lips hovering inches away from the skin.

He’s a monster, Zoe. Your father is a monster.

Mum’s voice snaps me back to reality.

I push Shadow away, my voice is as small as a mouse’s. “I can’t.”

His inquisitive gaze studies me like he’s trying to rip his way inside my head and fish for answers. Honestly, I wouldn’t put anything above him.

He wants to know why and if I don’t give him something convincing, he’ll continue to burst my walls open and wreak havoc.

Someone like Shadow doesn’t seem like the giving up type. He’ll become a danger if he finds out that I’m only here for a specific purpose. Getting entangled in someone as lethal as him is a risk to my mission.

I blurt out the first thing that I always used to push men away, “I have a boyfriend.”

Shadow’s hands drop from either side of me. A part of me is disappointed. My empty body craves his.

He turns and heads out of the park.

I know it’s good for both of us, but when he doesn’t even give me a fleeting glance, my heart tugs.

Nick’s words return in full blowing force.

You’re so fucked up under that pretty face, Zoe. No one in their right mind would want you.

I swallow the tears that threaten to spill. No matter how much I tried to ignore those words, they cut so deep.

Because I’m starting to believe that maybe they’re true.





Chapter Nine





More than a week passes without much of a clue.

Liam’s getting restless. Not because the lack of results? but because he believes my position will be compromised sooner or later.

What I’m worried about is that these new leaders don’t seem to want President Joe in their business. It’s a bit tense around here, but I don’t think anyone is concerned about a war.

If anything they’re ready for it.

I’d hoped Mist or the mysterious Ghost would be smart enough to avoid casualties, but perhaps, they’re like Shadow and don’t give two fucks about something apocalyptic.

With a nod, I thank the barmaid and take the tray of drinks. Booming music swallows the club area. My movements are automatic and bored as I distribute to each table. Some customers’ gazes linger a bit too much on the low cut of my dark red dress. However, no one has tried to cop a feel so far. Perhaps Mist’s terrorising ways are enough warning. I’ve seen her throw out rich men and politicians without batting an eye.

She’s still my hero – aside from the drug thing.

Natalie smiles at me from across the room. I smile back, but I doubt she sees it in the dim, red light and the chaos.

This isn’t me. I’m not supposed to be a waitress in a club working every night until I have no energy left.

The nightmares with Mum’s voice are returning, and I wake up with tears streaming down my cheeks and self-loathing burning underneath my skin.

I’ve been keeping an eye on Le Salon, the underhanded dealings, and the secret meetings, but I still can’t find an opening to something big. Maybe I should’ve joined President Joe’s side and tried to dig his grave from there.

Who am I kidding? I’d reveal my intentions towards him in no time. I resent him too much to be able to hide my hatred. He came over a few days ago for negotiations with Mist. All I saw was Mum’s dead face, and I almost attacked him. Which would’ve gotten me killed.

My gaze strays to the lift and the stairs. A few more guards than usual are stationed near every exit. Mist has a meeting with a mysterious guest tonight. I should find an opening and try to eavesdrop and hopefully, come up with something useful.

I turn towards the bar and stop short. Shadow is standing in the dim area across the dance floor with Lachlan and Scar. He’s wearing his standard dark jeans and a white T-shirt that hugs his impressive build. Even from this distance, I can still make out those snarling tigers as if they were tempting me close.

Shadow hasn’t been paying me the slightest attention since the stroll in Hyde Park. He completely erased me as if I’m invisible.