When I attempt to push the box back into her hand, she swats me and doesn’t let me leave until the necklace is tucked in my back pocket.
The wind slaps my face as soon as I’m out of the kindergarten. Lachlan will stay because Natalie is here, and he’s turning into a ring on her finger. She’s no longer hanging out with Zoe, probably because Scar is taking the role of her bodyguard.
I release a long sigh, and my head throbs. Withdrawal is putting me in a sullen fucking mood as I trudge down the slums.
My attention drifts with every step I take and I need to rest for a few. A weak killer is a useless killer, and I’m most definitely weak at the moment.
Now I understand why Flame spends most of his time sleeping.
I opt for a run, but before I can get out of the slums, I sense a movement behind me. I keep my nonchalant pace and take a few peeks at my surroundings. There’s no one. At least not in sight.
It’s a professional and probably one of the second generation assassins.
Fuck.
This is about the worst situation I can be in. I’m less efficient when not on Omega. My reflexes are slower and so is my speed. Add a splitting headache and I’m about as useless as a crippled killer.
However, I’m not the type who runs away from a fight.
I stop at the middle of a dark alleyway. The smell of piss and vomits clogs my throat and worsens the headache.
“Come out and play,” I muse.
Silence.
One. Two. Three.
Now.
I turn around, but due to the delayed reflexes, I’m late. I duck in time before the knife digs into my heart. Instead, it slashes through my shoulder.
A tall man appears in front of me. He’s wearing a hoodie. There are cockroach tattoos peeking from his sleeves. No fucking idea why anyone would want to tattoo cockroaches — unless he’s one. But the 3D style is enough evidence this is Ink’s work. This must be one of his disciples because Ink only tattoos those he knew for at least ten years.
“We never met, boy.” I grin despite the burning in my shoulder. Omega’s pain-suppressing effects would’ve been good right about now. “I’m from Team Zero. Ever heard of us?”
His eyes remain focused as he charges towards me.
I duck and hold a hand. “Before you try anything, I want you to know that I hold grudges. Walk away. You don’t stand a chance against Zeroes.”
He doesn’t. Either he knows I’m on withdrawal or he doesn’t care.
His second hit goes against my neck. He has better aim at my arms, but he doesn’t seem to want to touch them. Well, shit. He must not want to injure Ink’s tattoos on me.
What type of fucked up loyalty is that?
On a second thought, I should’ve had that bastard tattoo my entire body.
The cockroach lunges at me again. I duck and punch him in the diaphragm. He bends over, coughing. He’s not down for long, but it’s long enough for me to retrieve my knife.
“Last chance, cockroach.”
He charges towards me. This time, I’m in the right position. Omega’s enhanced speed would’ve helped, but this will have to do.
A small sound snaps both our attention to the corner. Zoe stands there, lips parting. She’s holding a bag filled with books and they almost tumble free of her grip.
I run towards her, but I’m not used to my body without Omega, so speed fails me.
Ink’s cockroach reaches her before me and holds his knife to her throat.
Chapter Fourteen
I freeze.
My breathing comes out as a choked sound.
A cold edge is glued to my throat as a stiff body stands behind me.
I can’t swallow, afraid he’ll slice my throat open. My hands break in sweat around the bag of books I’m holding to my chest.
When I heard the strangled noise coming from the ally, I didn’t hesitate to come and check. Perhaps it’s because of the officer side in me. Or the foolish side.
I hadn’t realised that it was some battle between Shadow and whoever this man is.
Before I could retreat and call for help, I got caught.
I try to remain calm like how they taught us in the forces.
Never provoke a captor.
It’s the only thing that’s filtering into my agitated mind as I force myself to remain still.
My gaze strays to Shadow. I expected him to be at least half my panic mode, but he’s