Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

The rush of adrenaline still flows in my veins and I struggle against Ghost’s hold. For what, I don’t know. I need to hit and be hit, but an unconscious opponent won’t provide that.

A pixie-sized brunette falls to her knees near the man’s mass of limp muscles. She’s sobbing and pleading with him to open his eyes. None of the crowd around the man pay her attention, but I do.

He was a weakling, but he had a different type of strength if he can make someone sob for him like that.

Something I’ll never fucking have.

Maybe I lost this night.

I don’t come to win in these underground matches, anyway. Every night is a different type of adrenaline rush so I can forget my bloody existence.

With the fight slowly leaving my system, I let Ghost drag me out of the ring. The crowd erupts in cheers and applause as we walk down the path leading outside. Men clasp my shoulders in congrats and women in short skirts make suggestive remarks my way, but I tune them all out.

The noises hush in the background as Ghost takes me outside. A few guards wait there, Lachlan included. He must’ve been the one who called Ghost to come and stop my madness. To his credit, he and the other guards tried to stop me once, but that gained them a few broken ribs and noses. Since then, they’re smart enough to call Ghost.

My mate shoves me in the front seat of his Mercedes and takes the wheel. Lachlan and the others bow in respect as the car revs in the street.

I slump in my seat, still half naked. The blood of my opponent and some of mine coats my knuckles and my chest. My bottom lip burns from when I let him hit me at the beginning.

Omega’s withdrawal symptoms hush in the background for now, but since I’ve been actually detoxing, they’ll return.

“Do I look like a babysitter?” Ghost’s voice matches the tight grip he has on the steering wheel.

“It’s just a match.” I sound as detached as I feel.

“If I don’t stop you every time, you would kill them. The last thing we need right now is to clean up dead bodies.”

“Relax, mate. I wouldn’t kill an unconscious opponent. Where’s the fun in that?”

“I want your head in the game.” Ghost throws me a stern look. “We need everyone’s contribution to bring down the second factory.”

“Sure thing. Just tell me what to do.”

I don’t give a fuck about the second factory or Hades. The only reason I care a little is that one of our mates, Hawk, is being tortured and we need him out. That’s all. Ink won’t be leaving The Pit any time soon.

“First of all,” Ghost says. “Stop punching boxers to within an inch of their lives.”

“I would if you sparred with me.” I glare at him. “But you’re too busy with your love life and being a unicorn.”

The car comes to a halt in front of Le Salon. I get out before he says another word.

He keeps up with my pace as we head to the safe house. “Is this all about Zoe?”

Just the sound of her name slashes a knife through my already fresh wound.

A mixture of rage, hurt, and longing covers my vision, but I chase it all away. I’m not thinking about her.

Until I find her, I’m not sparing her a fucking thought.

Or that’s what I tell myself when I drown in a bottle of scotch every night. At least I’m trying to get off Omega.

Ghost sighs long and deep. “She’s gone. Let her be.”

He should know more than anyone that if I fixate on something, nothing — absolutely nothing — will stop me from having it.

She left a gaping hole behind, and I’m not leaving her alone until she fills it.

I’ve been running around like a madman since that day. I stalked the lake house like a first-class creeper. I tried tracking down everyone she’s ever known. No results came out. It’s like she disappeared into thin fucking air.

That’s when I knew it must be a Team Zero’s doing. I would’ve found her if anyone else hid her — including the witness protection program.

Mist became my target because that old hag is the last one who had contact with her. I’ll stop at nothing to make her talk.

“She’s not gone,” I grit out.

He’s about to say something, but Elle saunters from the safe house. She’s wearing simple jeans and a pastel green T-shirt that must belong to Scar. Her long brown hair falls on either side of her face which is free from any makeup.

She’s a new waitress around here that Ghost has taken a liking to. Or more like he’s become obsessed with her.

It’s weird as hell. I would’ve believed that Ghost was abducted by aliens before believing he’s in a romantic relationship.

Elle is a tough bean and knows how to hold her own, but I don’t trust her. Especially after she followed me to the lake house that day. It’s like I know her from somewhere. Not remembering her face nags at me.

Her soft features and electric blue eyes shouldn’t be forgettable, so where the hell have I seen her before?

She throws a wary look my way before she snuggles into Ghost’s side. His lips move into the closest thing he has for a smile. His latest obsession with Elle has made him loosen up despite all the chaos with Hades, the factory, and Team Zero.

I should be happy for him, but I’m petty, so I stalk inside and leave them be.

As soon as I’m in my room, I wrench open the cabinet and snatch my bottle of scotch for the night. I don’t bother with a glass and drink until the burn nearly cuts my throat.