my thoughts. Darn. Am I that transparent? “He’s good at hunting, but I hide my tracks better.”
I smile, but I’m sure it comes out awkward. Shadow is the most unpredictable person I know. Underestimating him equals a death sentence.
Mist goes way back with him, and maybe she knows him better than I do, but I can’t trust that he won’t be able to track her — and therefore me.
After Mist leaves, I lead Elle and sit her on the porch and inspect her from head to toe. No visible injuries. The black dress hangs a little loose around her frame. Wait. Isn’t this Scar’s dress? I swear I saw her stare at it just to throw it away. In her words, ‘the dress is boring’.
The outfit aside, there’s something drastically different about Elle. It doesn’t have to do with the tears still shining in her eyes, but more with her slumped shoulders and the sheen of loss on her soft features.
The last time I saw her, she was a fighter through and through. Whenever she lost a match, she’d rebound as if nothing happened. Now, she appears like she lost something more precious than a fight.
I sit beside her and hold her hand. “What happened, Ellie?”
Her scowl greets me back. “Why don’t you tell me what happened, Zoe? We thought you were dead.” More tears stream down her cheeks and her lips tremble. “Do you know what it feels like to wake up every day and try to convince myself that you’re not dead?”
I bite my lower lip to not burst into tears again. “I’m so sorry, Ellie. I… wanted to protect you.”
“Protect me from what?”
“From that place and the people in it.” Knots form in my throat and words come out smothered with emotions. “I’m so sorry for being a horrible friend. I should’ve thought your stubborn arse would go to that atrocious place looking for me.”
She shakes her head and smiles through tears. “You would’ve done the same.”
“You seem so different, Ellie.” I stroke strands of her thick brown hair back. “What happened to you in there?”
“A lot.”
“Is part of it because of Ghost?”
It’s mere speculation, but I get my answer even before she speaks. Her shoulders droop and her expression becomes gloomier.
It’s not a coincidence that both Elle and Ghost sport the same tortured look.
“Even you know his name is Ghost. I only got Julian.” She throws a dismissive hand. “It doesn’t matter anymore.”
“How can it not matter when you look like a mess? He didn’t assault you or something, did he? I’ll kill him with my bare hands.”
“No!” Elle appears offended that I even suggested such a thing. “He’d never do that.”
“Then what is it?”
“I’m just too raw now.” Her voice chokes with pent-up feelings. “Can we talk about it later?”
“Sure.” I swallow, not wanting to think about my next words. “Did Shadow hurt you?”
“No. He actually helped me search for you.”
“He did?”
Elle nods, sniffling the remnants of her tears.
“He didn’t force you. He helped you?” I do a double take.
“Yeah. He was suspicious of me at first, but once he realised I’m your friend, he changed his attitude and helped me.”
My mouth hangs open, and I’m unable to form words. I was scared he’d have hunted Liam and Elle down, but I never thought he’d help her.
What happened to the devil?
“What’s the deal with him anyway?” Elle’s inquisitive huge blue eyes bore into mine.
“Nothing.”
She points a finger at my chest. “I followed him to the lake house. No one but the three of us know about that house. You even left him a note. I call bollocks on the ‘nothing’.”
“It’s… a long story.”
She folds her arms. “I have all day.”
“I’ll tell you.” I wrap an arm around her shoulders, stand, and take her with me. “You need to sleep first. You look exhausted.”
Truth is, I’m not ready to talk about any of this. I have neither the courage nor the energy.
And I’m scared.
There, I admit it. I’m scared that Elle won’t accept my baby. What if she judges me for carrying a killer’s baby or that I still have stupid lingering feelings for said killer.
“I knew you were brave, but going into that organisation is so ballsy.” I ruffle Elle’s hair as I lead her into my bedroom. “I’m so glad nothing happened to you.”
“It was mad,” she admits, uncaring about her messed up hair. Elle was never one for appearances. “Drug, gambling and prostitution. I still can’t believe I was a part of all