Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

Mist asks me about the day at school and my next appointment with the doctor, but it’s more serious instead of a friend to a friend talk. She wants to make sure I have everything I need.

The French twist appears too tight at the back of her head, it must be painful. She would look younger and tenfold more beautiful if she’d let those fiery strands down. From what I learnt about Mist, she’s doing this look on purpose to be respected as Le Salon’s madam.

“When are Elle and Ghost leaving?” I ask.

They planned a trip for a while now. Elle refused to, because of me, so I pulled Ghost to a corner and told him to take her as a surprise.

She needs some lightening up, and I sure as hell won’t allow her to forsake her happiness for me.

“Ghost didn’t say.” Mist keeps her eyes on the road, a slight frown on her forehead. “He only mentioned that I need to take care of business.”

“I’m sure you can do it. You’re the strongest woman I know.”

She doesn’t smile back. Instead, her face falls further.

Maybe she’s not so confident about doing it alone. “I’m sure Scar and that guy… the sleepy one, Flame? Will help.”

“Yeah, right.” She rolls her eyes. “Those two are the least dependable.”

“How about the other one? Hawk?” I can’t help indulging in my curiosity.

“Absolutely not.” She grits out, gripping the wheel tighter. “It’s not even up for discussion.”

There’s definitely something going on.

I want to ask more, but we already arrive at Mrs Adler’s lake house.

My lake house.

Apparently, the slimy bastard Shadow bought this house and had a lawyer register it under my name before he left. Ghost wasn’t amused because he wanted to buy it for Elle. It took her a long time to convince him that she can do with any house, so he bought her the one right next to this. It doesn’t have a lake house, but it has a huge pool that Elle and I spend hours inside it.

“Do you need anything?” Mist asks as I step out.

I shake my head and thank her. It’d be cool if she took the guards ‘discreetly’ watching from across the street, but it’s pointless to ask.

Once she disappears down the street, I get into the house. The lake’s water is clearer now after maintenance. Ghost and Elle have been helping me in renovating the lake house and the building. Even Liam comes sometimes.

It’s hard to renovate while keeping the memories that glued us to this place. Beside painting and some reparations, I don’t think I want to touch much of it.

I have dinner plans with Ghost and Elle in a few hours, so until then, I can rest. However, I don’t head to the main house. I hop into the boat and sail to the lake house. It smells of fresh paint and coffee. I sit on the cushion and stare at the ceiling.

Tears form into my eyes. I should be thinking of my childhood memories with Elle and Liam here, but all that comes to mind is that night when Shadow and I wrestled and devoured each other.

Please let him be alive, I send a silent prayer to the deity listening.

I doze off, or I think I do because when I wake up, there’s a slight rustle outside. I rub my eyes and go to check it.

The moment I open the door, I nearly fall to the ground. Shadow stands in front of me in all his wet glory. Strands of his blond hair stick to the side of his face. His white shirt has become transparent, revealing his taut, cut muscles.

The overcast of his eyes rake over me with deep longing, and then he grins. “Hey, beautiful. Maybe we should buy another boat. Swimming in this weather is blasphemy.”

My lower lip quivers. He’s a dream. I’m still sleeping and dreaming. He’ll disappear any second now.

He snaps his fingers in front of my face as his grin widens. “I take that expression as in you missed me?”

Oh. God.

He’s here.

Shadow is back and he’s dripping wet in front of my door. I study him, searching for any injuries or something out of order. When I find nothing, I want to hug him and cry in his chest.

Then, my pained feelings resurface.

He left me.

Even after I begged him, he sneaked out like a thief.

It takes everything in me, but I turn away from him and say in the most dispassionate tone I can afford. “Don’t flatter yourself. I’m completely over you.” I check my watch. “In fact, I have a date in about now.”

Strong arms surround me from behind. I gasp as his wet, scuffed jaw nuzzles along my neck. His voice is deep and sincere. “I deserve that, beautiful. I know I do, but don’t mention another man. The thought drives me fucking crazy.”

My body wants to snuggle into him. To turn and hug him. It’s becoming impossible to hold onto my anger. “Then you shouldn’t have left.”

Still hugging me from behind. His palm rests on my belly. I suck in a breath as he speaks. “I did it for you. For our child. I couldn’t bear the thought of anything happening to you.”

“What about something happening to you?” I can’t fight the tears anymore. “Do you know how much I fought off the thought that you’re dead?”

“Hades didn’t even torture me. He couldn’t after Ghost fulfilled his part of the deal. I guess I have President Joe to thank, huh?” There’s a grin in his voice. “But I had to pay Ink back his due, so a beating or two took place.”