classes when dealing with victims. I never thought I’d be on the receiving end.
I try to subdue my shaking hands and fail. “Did you know he’s a killer?”
“I see.” She doesn’t appear the least bit fazed as her red-manicured fingers tap her arm. “I’m sorry you had to witness that.”
“You knew?” My voice rises.
“We all are, Zoe,” she admits with ease.
No.
She didn’t just say that.
They’re all killers? They’re in the mafia so it shouldn’t be a surprise that they kill, but are they all as cold-blooded as Shadow?
Her voice is smooth and firm as she continues, “Since you know about us, what do you think will happen to you?”
I jerk to my feet and slowly back away towards the door. Mist doesn’t move. She’s still crossing her arms and sitting leisurely. I keep my gaze on her as I reach back, clutch the doorknob, and twist.
No idea where I’m going after this, but I need to run from these people as far away as possible.
I turn around, but my head collides against a strong chest. Julian’s dark, cold eyes bore into mine.
He’s one of them, too. A killer. A murderer.
Since I’m cornered, the flight mode is impossible.
Fight it is.
My stance widens and so do my arms. Energy buzzes into my veins until I taste the euphoria of adrenaline. If I’m dying then it’s with honour.
“Relax, Zoe.” Julian’s voice is calm. Composed. As if he’s a wise professor lecturing his student.
“I don’t think so.” I push back so I’m a safe distance from him and Mist.
Julian closes the door and steps inside. “We ran an extensive background check on you.”
“You were smart.” There’s a smile in Mist’s voice coming from behind me. “We almost didn’t find your record.”
“I don’t know what you’re talking about.” I step sideways as Julian strides to where Mist is and stands beside her chair.
Julian rolls the cuffs of his shirt, exposing sketch-like tattoos snaking up his hands and arms. He always gave lethal vibes, but it’s his next words undo me. “We know you’re from the police.”
This is it. They’ll kill me now.
I bolt to the door, my heart on overdrive. Tears blur my eyes. All I could think about is that I endangered Liam and Elle’s lives. If they ran a background check on me, they’d know about them. I have to disappear to not put their lives in danger.
Elle and Liam will both have a target on their back as long as I’m alive. If not because of Mist and Julian, then it’ll be because of Shadow.
Is revenge worth putting my surrogate family in danger?
“You need to escape Shadow and we need your cooperation.”
Mist’s words halt me when the door is within my reach.
My chest heaves and adrenaline is still high in my bloodstream. All I want to do is run away and hide, but that won’t save Liam and Elle’s lives.
I slowly turn around. Mist is still sitting in a relaxed posture, her arms uncrossed. Julian stands beside her like a dutiful bodyguard. Both of them appear too calm, it causes my skin to prickle.
“What do you mean by you need my cooperation?” I’m so glad that my voice is firm and even. The best way to negotiate is to appear as an equal.
“You want to escape Shadow, correct?” Mist asks.
I nod carefully. This isn’t about whatever twisted desire he conjures in me anymore. It’s about who he is, what he is. A replica of my father. A monster in plain sight.
He’s gotten into me. Not only to my body, but to me. I grew to care about him and that’s the most dangerous part. That’s how victims are born. They keep finding excuses for the demons they live with until they eventually murder them.
I’m ready to break my heart to pieces rather than live my mum’s miserable life.
Escaping Shadow isn’t an option, it’s a necessity.
Mist smiles and it reaches her usually stern eyes. “We can arrange that if you help us in getting a tip to the police.”
“My name is Ghost.” Julian steps forward. “I would like to offer you a deal.”
Chapter Sixteen
I search for her every-fucking-where.
Her phone is closed, so no location whatsoever from that. I tried the lake house and came out empty.
I’m tempted to track down her boyfriend, but I might kill him. Besides, I don’t even know the sorry fuck’s name.
That Rage Ball… just a nickname. I have nothing on her either. I should’ve really stolen Zoe’s phone and collected her data when I had the chance.