Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

Mist shut her up, in consideration of my feelings, but I have no doubt about how true Scar’s words are. She’s weird but she always says it blunt and direct.

Despite Elle, Ghost, and Mist’s consolations, I can’t keep the hope. It’ll bloody destroy me.

Every time Nonna says he’ll return, I want to break down in tears. Because he won’t.

Maybe he’s already dead.

My lower lip quivers. I clamp my mouth shut and stand, plastering a joyful smile on my face — the type Shadow always had. “Thanks for the tea, Nonna. I better head back.”

She stands and pats my hand. “Stay strong, child.”

“See you tomorrow, Nonna.”

A breeze hits my cheeks as soon as I’m outside. I cross the sweater on my now growing bump and stop in front of the school.

In the poor neighbourhood, two cars are parked. Liam stands in front of his, crossing his arms and glaring at the other car. Inside the mini cooper, Scar rocks back and forth, shouting. I can’t hear much since her windows are up, but I’m sure she’s listening to Oasis. Her obsession with that band is weird as hell.

As soon as Liam sees me, he crosses the street with wide purposeful strides. Scar jumps outside and runs towards me. I step back, afraid she’ll bump into me or something.

She reaches me before Liam and places a hand around my shoulder with a big grin on her soft features. “Zoe! I came to pick you up! You, Elle, and I are going to have so much fun meditating.”

Liam pulls me towards him by the arm and scowls at Scar. “No. I came to pick her up. You can scarce now.”

I’m frozen in between. Liam has a hand around my bicep and Scar clutches my wrist.

“Hey, police.” Scar is still grinning, but her tone becomes lethal. “Don’t you have any work to do like arresting criminals and stuff?”

“I should start with you then.”

“Do you think you can take me, police?” she quips with a flirtatious edge.

“Do you?” Liam’s tone is hard steel like his posture.

Their heated glares give me a headache. They’re always like this on the rare occasions they meet. I don’t know what’s come into them to be here at the same time, but I can’t help smiling at their bickering.

However, my ride is with neither of them. I tactfully wiggle free from under their holds.

“Come with me, Zoe.” Liam finally steers his cold green gaze from Scar and slides it to me with visible softening. I’m glad he isn’t as angry with me as I thought he’d be, but I can see that disapproval loud and clear. Elle says he’s only respecting our wishes because if it were up to Liam, he would’ve signed us up in the witness protection program.

“No.” Scar stands between me and Liam. “She’s coming with me.”

They both continue their glaring contest. Then they’re back to throwing swift insults. They don’t even notice when I sneak to the back where my ride always awaits me.

Liam and Scar’s back and forth disappears as I round the corner and halt in my tracks.

Mist stands against the driver side, as she usually does, but today she has company. A tall man with broad, impressive physique is toe-to-toe with her. His side profile alone sends a chill along my spine.

Mist stares at him for a few seconds then switches focus to her high heels. It’s the first time I see her break eye contact first. I hope she isn’t in trouble because this man looks like he can rip her in halves without blinking.

I think he’s also one of Team Zero. Hawk, if I remember correctly. I saw him with Ghost a few times, and I never heard his voice. I thought he was a mute until Elle told me he isn’t.

Without uttering a word, Hawk saunters down the street and disappears around the corner.

Mist watches him even after he’s gone, her usually pristine posture hunching.

Then she visibly straightens and faces me with a smile as if she knew I was there all along. “Get in.”

Repressing the embarrassment of being caught, I slide in the passenger seat of her silver Audi while she settles behind the wheel. I told her I don’t need a ride, but she shows up every day, nonetheless

Ghost and Mist think I don’t know, but I’m sure I have a few guards following me everywhere. It’s not hard to notice being followed. Elle has a few, too, and I guess it’s part of being in their world.

Scar and Liam are still bickering as Mist weaves down the neighbourhood’s road. She doesn’t even spare them a glance.

I can’t help wondering what her meeting with Hawk was all about. Silent people like Hawk are usually the most dangerous, so I hope he’s not giving Mist any trouble.

During all this time, I grew to like her no-nonsense character and the lengths she goes to in order to help the girls. When Natalie’s betrayal came to light, Flame and Scar wanted her executed. While her betrayal hurt, I didn’t want an execution. Mist proved to them that Johnny was providing Natalie with money to treat her sick grandmother, and therefore she fired her without any other penalties.

If only Johnny could be punished, too. He disappeared off the face of the earth without a trace. No one spotted him since that bloody, horrible day.

President Joe assured me that he’ll find him. He’s been showing up a lot at my doorstep, already buying gifts for my baby. I accept them all and even invite him for tea. He’s Shadow’s family and he seems genuinely happy to have a great-grandson.