Misted (Team Zero #5) by Rina Kent

I run my fingers along the round wooden table at the middle of the lounge area.

My body springs to life and need shoots down my spine as I think of when Hawk bent me over and took me hard and relentless. At that time, I realised how smitten I still was with him and how much I still loved him. He engraved himself in me with blood-coated fingers and mind-shattering pleasure.

That moment was the beginning of a new chapter in our relationship. And in a way, I’m glad the fifteen years distance happened so I’d realise how much he means to me.

With the loss I felt after Dr Sloane cut out my child, I don’t know how I would’ve handled my relationship with Hawk. I was young, reckless, and clueless and would’ve ruined our future together.

I grew up and learnt patience and sacrifice. I’ll never forget our child, but Hawk is more important to me. He’s the reason I’m still breathing.

A deep sigh rips from my throat as I wipe my eyes then run my hands over my navy blue dress. I released my hair on the drive here and I didn’t bother with makeup. It feels wrong to wear a mask in this place.

I should probably visit Crow and Eloise instead of moping around here.

“Reliving a certain memory?”

I freeze then turn around slowly. My heart pumps so loud, almost leaping out of my throat. I haven’t lost my mind and started to hear voices, right?

A small gasp leaves my lips.

Hawk stands at the entrance, his broad shoulders and impossible height block the light. His hands are in his dark trousers’ pocket. His black T-shirt sticks to his flexing muscles as the brightness of his turquoise eyes swallow me whole.

It’s Hawk.

He’s come back for me.

My eyes rake over him, inspecting him for any injuries.

“I’m fine, Hellion,” he says in that slightly raspy voice.

“Hades let you go? For good?” My tone is careful but also on the verge of breaking. I don’t want to entertain high hopes but I don’t know what will happen to me if he’s taken again. It’s the only reason why I’m gripping the table’s edge instead of running into his embrace.

He advance towards me slowly, almost too slowly, as his voice drifts around us. “He figured that keeping me away from you and showing me videos of you being hurt were the worse torture.” He stops before me, the depth of his eyes dripping with pain. “He figured right.”

“Oh, Hawk.” I throw myself in his arms. “I’m so sorry.”

I would’ve killed myself if I were put in his shoes. I was too close to losing my mind when Hades sent me videos of Hawk being tortured over and over again.

“But he didn’t break me this time.” Hawk’s arms wrap around my waist and I close my eyes at the onslaught of uncontrollable emotions shooting through me all at once.

“No?” I ask, hopeful.

I shudder as he buries his face in my hair and inhales deeply.

“No. Do you know why?”

I slightly pull back to get a better look at him and stroke the slight stubble on his cheek. “Why?”

“Because I knew you would be waiting for me. You promised.”

My eyes rim with tears. “I’ve been waiting for you for fifteen years, Hawk. Two months is nothing.”

“You won’t wait anymore.” He clutches my chin and tilts my head back so I’m staring up at him. “It took me fifteen years but I brought you to France.”

I laugh. “You finally kept your promise.”

“Stay here with me, Hellion.”

“You don’t even have to ask.”

“I didn’t.” He flashes me one of his rare smirks. “This is one of those times where you have to say yes.”

“And if I say no?”

“Then…” His hand trails from my waist to grip my hips as he yanks me against his hard muscles. “I will have to convince you right here against this table.”

My breathing hitches as my hands roam all over him. “Will you still try to convince me even if I say yes?”

“Oh. Absolutely.”





Epilogue





Two years later,



There’s this thing that Hawk does every day and reduces me to a hormonal teenager.

He runs along the beach half-naked, wearing only shorts, as he throws punches in the air. I usually join him just so I can figure out ways to get him out of the shorts.

I don’t have to try hard. The moment I sprint in front of him, Hawk kind of tackles me to the sand and takes me there and then. Sometimes, he binds my hands so I’ll learn not to taunt him.

Needless to say, I didn’t learn my lesson quiet yet.

The part about tying me up and being completely ruthless never disappeared. It’s become a part of who we are. What we are.

But other times, Hawk takes me so slowly and savours every inch of me as if he can’t re-learn my body close enough or be inside me deep enough. The other day, we had slow sex in the middle of the ocean — that became our sanctuary after he taught me how to swim — that somehow turned to rough sex.

Both versions are my undoing.

I lean against the doorframe, patiently waiting for Hawk to round the deck and return. Actually, I don’t feel patient at all. I’m about to jump out of my own skin.

We got married the day Hawk was released from The Pit. He dragged me to town and had the civil officer register our marriage. When I told him it’s too early, he said, it’s fifteen years too late and that kind of shut me up. Then, we had a small reception here with a few Team Zero members as attendees.