Misted (Team Zero #5) by Rina Kent

“Spies.” Ink stretches his legs in front of him with nonchalant air. “You should try them sometimes. They’re fun.”

“And? How about what I asked you to look into?”

“On it.” He takes a drag of his cig. “Have you ever thought that the whole Nero incident and your ‘stalker’ are related?”

“I did think maybe Nero didn’t die, but that can’t be possible. He was shot several times then burnt. There’s no way he’d survive that.”

“What if someone was watching you since then? They could’ve witnessed the whole thing and decided to toy with you.”

I shake my head. “Only the guards could have, and they’re no match to threaten me now.”

He laughs, the sound dark and rich. “You did go on a rampage and killed three of them a few years ago.”

I killed the three who beat Hawk to within an inch of his life that day. Then I killed those who shot him in the back. Then I killed those who beat him in front of me while I pretended I didn’t care about him.

Anyone who hurt him needed to fucking die. End of the story.

You hurt him, too.

And I’m not running away from it. I’ll pay, too. Just not now.

“My spies gathered some info, but I need confirmation before I tell you anything.” Ink’s quiet voice brings me out of my thoughts.

I’m in his face in a second. “Tell me now. Who is it?”

He shakes his head once. “I don’t have a name. Just a few players on the board, but as I told you, I found a pattern. It won’t be long before I find out who’s behind the pattern.” He grins, the love of a challenge glinting in his dead eyes. “They’re smart. I’ll give them that.”

“I’m on a limited time frame,” I say through clenched teeth. “So you better find that pattern before my time is up.”

“Yes, ma’am.” He salutes. “Until then, don’t tell anyone about meeting me.”

“Why?”

He grins. “Just testing something.”

“I want to test something, too.” I retrieve my phone from my bag and send a message to the unknown address.

I know who you are. You better run.

I show the message to Ink. He retrieves the phone and scrolls, probably reading all the harassing stalking messages I received over the years. He saw them before – he’s the only one aside from Molly who did.

If I showed them to Ghost, he’d go rampant, and he already has too much on his plate.

“Why did you send that?” Ink’s voice is completely detached.

“Deflation. I want to see if he’ll change his pattern.”

“You won’t know unless you go back to Hawk. They only become malicious when you’re with Hawk, no?”

“Absolutely not.” I almost shout.

“You never know unless you try.”

I shake my head frantically. “He was shot twice because of me. The third one will be fatal. I will not put him through that. Ever.”

“I’m not sure what you see that mule Hawk as, but he’s not some delicate flower last I checked. Give him some credit, eh?”

“You don’t understand.” My fingers shake violently. Damn withdrawal. I clasp them together. “None of you fucking understands. If he’s hurt, then I feel like I’m dying. I can’t put him in danger.”

“Have you ever told him that?” Ink throws the butt of the cigarette away and takes another one. “Because last time we spoke, after he almost broke my nose and told me to stay the fuck away from you, he seemed like he hated you.”

“I can take that.”

“Hmmm. Can you?”

No. No. No. A million no.

It’s tearing me apart to know what he must be thinking of me right now. Scar made sure to call me and yell at me that Hawk doesn’t need someone like me, and if he dies, I can always go to the funeral.

I wanted to pull her through the phone and kill her, but she said nothing wrong.

“Aren’t you on limited time?” Ink lights another joint. “If I were you, I’d spend whatever time I have left doing what I love the most.”

I shake my head.

“My lads will go with you for protection if you want. They owe you for getting me out.”

“Just keep me posted.” I turn to leave.

“Oh, and Mist.”

I glance at him over my shoulder. “I don’t know if you figured this out or not, but your stalker is obsessed with you. They can only think about you and how to ruin your life more.”

“How do you know that?”

He grins, and I swear a devil possesses his pretty-boy features. “I had a similar experience.”

He forgets to mention that the roles were reversed.





All I have is a bag of clothes at the back of my car and a load of cash. After meeting Ink, I’ve been roaming the highway for five hours. I think I’ll crash in the farmhouse in Leeds. Or probably not. A hotel would be better since too many people know about the Leeds’ farmhouse.

I couldn’t stay at Le Salon because my mere presence can bring danger to the girls. Not to mention Zoe is pregnant. I’d rather kill myself than put her or her baby at risk.

Unable to visit Jessica and Sarah, I called and made sure they’re well taken care of in the safehouse Molly provided.