Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

Even the guard tries to coax his boss back. He says in a low voice, “Our security is compromised. We should head down.”

President Joe doesn’t budge. He searches Shadow’s face as if he stumbled onto a long lost treasure. “You have Rachel’s nose. How come I was so blind to notice it?”

Shadow’s shoulders tense underneath my finger, but he strides forward, attempting to sidestep President Joe.

The latter thrusts a hand in front of him. “Don’t go.”

Shadow is about to say something — probably profanities — when quick footsteps sound from the stairs. The guard lunges to the door and Shadow’s muscles turn rigid.

Men dressed in black suits without ties barge into the room, raising guns and knives like in some action film. Only this is no fiction.

I shrink into Shadow’s hold, unable to suppress the bad feeling lodging at the back of my throat.

The men give way for another well-dressed man. He’s wearing a leather jacket and black trainers. His hair is slicked back too perfectly, it appears more greasy than shiny. The ugly scar ruins whatever model looks he’s trying to pull off.

Johnny.

Twirling a gun in hand, he stalks to the middle of the horde of men, a smug expression strapped over his features. He ran away like a rat from Shadow, but now that he has bodyguards, he appears so conceited like he owns the place.

The only unarmed man in Johnny’s crew stands on the side, carrying a black leather briefcase — that might as well contain a machine gun.

“Fucking Johnny.” President Joe spits out in a near growl. Gone is the softening man from earlier. His features regain the cold, ruthless appearance he’s known for. “What do you think you’re doing?”

Johnny smirks and it deepens the hideous scar. “Paying my due, Boss.” He pauses. “Wait. You’re not my boss anymore. You kicked me out.”

“After you plotted to start a war with Ghost behind my back, you fucking idiot.”

All smiles leave Johnny’s face. “You always call me an idiot, Boss. Fucking always! Even with all the drugs and people I recruited for you, it’s never fucking enough. Well, I’m not so stupid, now, am I? I’ve been watching all the time and I even took some of your own men. I brought them in so why should you have them, eh? And then this brute.” He points at Shadow. “Eliminated the security I’ve been struggling with. Here I am, Boss. Your idiot is here to take everything. The Firm should’ve belonged to me anyway since I did most work.”

“You think because you have the power you’ll be able to rule my empire?” He laughs a long humourless laughter. “You’re a fucking idiot all right. Didn’t you learn anything in all the years you spent with me? The firm is only successful because my name is attached to it. Do you think anyone will give you the time of the day if my name isn’t there to back you up?”

“I can always take that name.” Johnny stops twirling the gun and raises an eyebrow. “We can always become in-laws, Boss.”

President Joe has other children? That means Shadow has a family. Before I can mull the words, Shadow strides towards the door as if it’s not stuffed with armed men.

“Good luck with the drama,” he tells Johnny.

“What? No.” I hit Shadow’s shoulder. “You can’t leave President Joe alone.”

“I can and I will.”

“Nah-uh.” Johnny shakes his head and a few men surround us, blocking the exit. “You can’t leave just yet. Actually, you can, but she can’t.” His sleazy gaze rake over me. “We have a deal, don’t we, babe?”

Shadow’s overcast eyes snap towards me with that frightening darkness that knots my inside. “What deal?”

“You haven’t told him?” Johnny’s laugh is like dragging nails over a chalkboard in my head. “Zoe here asked me to take her because she’s so sick of the cunts in Le Salon. I’m only making her wish come true. You’re President Joe’s granddaughter, aren’t you?”

“How did you know that?” No one knew. Even Elle only recently find out.

“Natalie told me some facts she eavesdropped on. That bitch opens both her mouth and legs for a good sum of money. Once I researched a few things, the picture became loud and clear.”

Nausea fills my throat and I find it hard to breathe. Natalie? No. This can’t be true. The Natalie I know would never do that to me. A scary thought hits me. She drove me near this place earlier and soon enough, Johnny showed up. This can’t be a coincidence.

“I’ll marry you to secure President Joe’s empire.” Johnny points a gun at Shadow. “Put her down and out you go. This is a family business.”

To my utter surprise, Shadow complies. There isn’t even the stiffening in his posture or any readable expression on his face. He places me on one of the chairs without sparing me a glance.

I clutch his arm with a desperation I never felt before. “I didn’t make a deal with him. I only pretended to, I swear. He’s nothing to me.”

“We’ll see about that, sweetheart.” Johnny beams from the side.

Shadow uncurls my hand from his arm with utter ease.

“Shadow…?” My voice borders on panic.

Without baring me a single glance, Shadow walks out of the room.