Shadowed (Team Zero #4) by Rina Kent

"As I was saying, someone like you wouldn't want to work here."

His hand reaches for me. I don't have a warning before his long, lean fingers wrap around my neck. He holds me in place, firm enough to stop me from moving, but he isn't squeezing. His thumb rests on my pulse point, probably trying some human lie detector technique. Liam trained me for this. All I have to do is remain confident.

Easier said than done.

My skin heats, and my hand twitches to punch him away. This position is so vulnerable, and I hate being vulnerable.

I swore to never be vulnerable after Ma's death.

His face turns stone cold. "Why are you here?"

"I told you. It's to work." I clench my fist on the hem of my dress, both to make him believe I'm desperate, and because I am desperate. "I can no longer go back to my house and if I don't find work, I'll be homeless."

A flicker of something crosses the depth of his dark eyes. It's similar to surprise, but not quite. Nostalgia? Pain? Whatever it is, it seems like he feels the meaning behind my words. Perhaps he could? The moment passes as fast as it came, and his face goes back to its impassivity.

"Just give me a chance," I press. "I will do anything."

His thumb glides from my pulse to my lips. I swallow. Tingles shoot down my spine and settle between my legs. The place where he touches me ignites in a thousand fires.

What the hell is this reaction? And why is my mouth itching to open for him?

I don't get to decide. Julian parts my lips with his thumb and traces my lower lip in a slow, sensual touch. My legs weaken like I've just finished a long run. I want his finger inside. Why the hell do I want it inside?

"Anything is a strong word." His low, husky voice drifts around me. "Don't use it idly."

He retrieves his hand and for some foolish reason, my lips feel empty and so does my body.

Julian turns around and heads towards the exit.

As the door shuts behind him, I stagger backwards. What the hell just happened?





Also By Rina Kent



Team Zero Series

Lured

Crowed

Ghosted

Misted (Coming July 25th)

More Team Zero Books to Follow….

The Rhodes Series

Remorse (Free for Newsletter Subscribers)

Ruin





Acknowledgements



As usual, this part always gets me in a frozen state of mind. Writing a book is so much easier than conjuring the right words to thank the people that made it happen.

First of all, I can’t thank Mr K enough for his patience and his endless support. You make me feel strong even in my darkest moments and you’re one of the main reasons I continue writing.

To my best friend, A, you’re an infuriating inspiration source, but your passion and creativity will always fascinate me. Here’s to twenty five more years of friendship.

A million thank yous to my editor Annabelle who works like a machine with my flippant deadlines.

My betas, thank you for loving Shadow and helping out on super short notices.

My proofreader, Nora, you have hawk eyes that I can’t live without.

To Rina’s Gritty Gang and Rina’s Team Zero, you guys make every launch the best launch.

A special shout-out to every blogger, reader, and book enthusiast who showed Shadowed love.

Thank you all!





About the Author



My characters barge in like thieves in the middle of the night.

Uninvited.

Unapologetic.

Intense.

Rina Kent in an English author who's constantly parading between France and North Africa due to her studies and her husband's demanding job.

When she's not packing suitcases or hopping from one plane to the other, she's busy whipping her characters to shape.

Since a young age, Rina has been obsessed with storytelling and flawed, edgy characters. Her heroes are often killers and anti-heroes and her books are always sprinkled with darkness, angst, violence, and lots of heat.

If you’re in the mood to stalk me:

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