Misted (Team Zero #5) by Rina Kent

“Is my thirty-six hours over already?” I ask in a bored tone while clasping my hands together out of his sight. They started shaking a few hours ago. That means withdrawal will hit me in no time. I need my Omega dose in the next few hours or the headache will kill me.

Liam checks his watch. Since he hasn’t left my side, a slight blond scruff grows along his strong jawline. He must be some hotshot in the Met Police since anyone who showed up here seems to idolise him.

The only reason why neither Shadow nor I killed him is because he’s Zoe and Elle’s foster brother.

“The thirty-six hours will be over soon.” He drinks coffee from a paper cup, staring at me over the rim. “But I asked for another elongation for ninety-six hours.”

“You can’t do that.” I almost shout. Damn. The nerves are starting to show.

“Yes, I can if I have new evidence.”

“What evidence? There’s no evidence whatsoever that I hurt that man. He’s falsely accusing me. How can a woman like me hurt a man, Lieutenant?”

“We both know that you’re no ordinary woman, Mist.” He smiles with a harsh edge and I don’t like it. “Besides, I have a witness.”

I raise an eyebrow. “You expect me to fall for that?”

“A certain Jessica who works at your club mentioned something while I arrested you. I’m sure we’ll find out more once I bring her to questioning.”

Sorry, Zoe and Elle. I’m going to have to kill this bastard.

I cross my arms and say in a neutral tone, “I want a lawyer.”

At first, I didn’t need it because I just kept my silence, but now that he’s locking me up for more hours and even bringing Jessica into this, things have changed.

“Of course.” He checks his watch again. “Only it’s past ten pm, no solicitor will come for you at this time. You’ll have to wait until the morning.”

No.

I might die from withdrawal if I stay like this until the morning.

The lieutenant motions something at the camera or whoever is watching. Two policemen come in.

“Take her to the cell.” Liam’s cold gaze meets mine. “See you in the morning.”

“This is illegal,” I grit out as one of the cold handcuffs snap around my wrists. “I have the right to make a call. I’ll sue you.”

Liam pushes off the chair, the metal scrapes against the floor as he stands toe-to-toe with me. “Do you think that scares me? I won’t stop until you’re stripped of everything.”

I see it then. The disregard. The hatred. It’s not directed at me specifically but it’s at us, in general. He wants to ruin me because he’s been hurt by people like me in the past.

Flexing my cuffed hands, I laugh. “What was it, Lieutenant? Did a mafia man take your woman? Are you being petty because you couldn’t keep what’s yours?”

His smile doesn’t falter, but his expression darkens. It’s actually chilling and reminds me of someone, but who? Where have I seen that expression before?

Liam continues staring at me while addressing the policeman. “Keep her handcuffed and don’t give her any food. She seems to have lots of energy.”

As the policeman leads me out of the investigation room, Liam says from behind me, “It wasn’t a woman. It was defenceless children.”

I flinch at his words, and a stab of pain shoots down my spine and coils in my stomach like a venomous snake.

All fight leaves me as the policeman leads me down a bland, grey hallway. He’s a younger lad with sandy blond hair and a surfer’s body. His frantic gaze keeps flicking to how my fingers spasm and then back to his gun. I have the chance to take him, but unless I plan to go all kamikaze on the Met police, there’s no getting out of here.

How could Hades abandon me? I’ve always been one of his strongest and most dependable Zeroes. I was efficient. I did everything he asked and even made that pact —

Wait.

Could it be because of Nero?

The thought pours dread all over my skin and my spasms turn into full-blown shaking. I clasp my stiff, sweaty fingers together so the young lad won’t freak out and shoot me.

We stop in front of a darker corner with floor-to-ceiling metal bars. The policeman shoves me inside and I stumble forward. My cuffs remain as he slings the metal bars shut. He doesn’t even spare me a glance as he disappears down the hall, obviously happy to have been rid of me.

I sink to the ground with my back against the wall and my legs stretched in front of me. It’s dim here, I can barely make out my hands or maybe it has to do with my blurry vision.

My head pounds in a continuous, maddening shrill as my lungs stuff with irregular intakes. My heart hammers with the need for a dose.

Now.

I need it fucking now.

Goosebumps cover the back of my hands and my visible legs. Sensations start fading from my limbs as if I’m turning into a cripple. My vision doubles and triples the more I stare at my hands.

If this continues, I might have a seizure.

My head lies on the hard concrete floor, lids fluttering close. For some reason, I’m thrust back to that time I spent huddled by Hawk’s side in The Pit. Back then, even when the tremors plagued me, I had to talk to him and soak in his silent warmth.

They were dark days, but I never felt threatened whenever he sat beside me like an all-protective rock. I flex my clammy cuffed hands on the cold ground and pretend it’s his warm skin. Just like I pretended it was him every time I hugged a pillow to sleep.