to talk to Ghost first. Since he seems to be enjoying himself, I didn’t want to interrupt.
I’m becoming a fucking softie. A few months ago, I would’ve dragged him out and to hell with ruining his fun.
We need to discuss his negotiations with President Joe. The last thing I want is to upset Zoe and return to The Pit. She’s been begging me non-stop and holding onto me with all her might as if afraid I’ll disappear in the middle of the night.
“I’ll go.” A firm voice murmurs from beside me.
Mist.
She’s dressed in a black tracksuit. Her fire hair is tied in a tight bun. Her light eyes rake over the sparring match at the other end of the gym. “He never looked so happy while boxing.”
“That’s because he’s a bore.” I pause. “What do you mean by ‘you’ll go’?”
“The Pit.”
“Hawk also volunteered to return.”
Her lips tighten. “My decision has nothing to do with him.”
“Could’ve fucking fooled me all these decades.” I tilt my head, not missing how she doesn’t even say his name. “Are we ever going to find out why both of you agreed on this love-hate game? The suspense is killing me.”
“It’s not a game. I couldn’t care less about him.” She taps her fingers against her arm maniacally. “Do you have an alternative aside from me or Ghost returning?”
“We can always drug Scar and Flame and send them on an express to Hades’ door.”
“Ghost wouldn’t want that.”
“Yeah, and those two psychos will murder us in our sleep. I’m not a fan of the idea.” I pause and scratch the back of my head. I never thought I’d say these words to Mist but they tumble of my mouth anyway, “Can I ask you a favour?”
Her tapping halts and she raises an eyebrow. “What has Zoe done to reshape you?”
“The favour, old hag.”
“What do you want?” she snaps. “And for the record, when asking favours, you should be nice, arsehole.”
“I’m being nice right now.” I lower my tone. “If I’m gone – when I’m gone – can you keep an eye on Zoe? For a phantom reason, she likes you. If she needs anything, I want you to be there for her.” I clear my throat. “I would do anything in my power in return.”
She cocks an eyebrow. “You actually have a heart?”
“For her, I do.”
Something similar to sadness flashes behind her usually-tight features. The change disappears as fast as it came. “You don’t need to ask. Zoe is already under my care.”
I nod. Mist would do anything for her girls. I can at least trust that side of her.
No idea if Ghost is completely blind to his surroundings or he simply doesn’t give a fuck, but he pulls Elle against his body and kisses her like a dying man.
Mist stares with a sheen of nostalgia before she turns and leaves.
I, on the other hand, am done playing nice, so I clap my hands. “How about a room? Large? Small? With a view?”
They pull away or more like Elle pushes back and gives an awkward smile.
Ghost keeps both hands on her hips as he scowls at me. “How about you scarce?”
“Can’t. We need to talk.”
“A bit busy,” he says.
“It’s okay.” Elle wiggles free despite Ghost’s protests. “I have to join Zoe and Scar for meditation, anyway.”
She tiptoes and plants a kiss on his cheek before brushing past me.
Ghost drapes a towel around his neck and wipes his face. “This better be damn important.”
“I’m hurt. Doesn’t my mere existence hold enough importance?”
He shoots me a deadly glare.
“Hey. I didn’t ask to be born this way. Don’t hate the player, hate the world.”
“The saying is Don’t hate the player, hate the game.” He shakes his head and takes a swig from a bottle of water.
“Same bloody thing.” I smile, but it soon withers away. “Hey, mate.”
He clasps the bottle. “What?”
“In The Pit, there’ll be Omega and withdrawal all over again.”
He tightens his fist around the bottle until it bends. “Don’t you think I fucking know that? There’s nothing that scares me more than forgetting what it feels like to be with Elle.”
“Me, too,” I whisper then follow up with. “Zoe, not Elle.”
There’s a high chance I’ll be that hollow monster she hates so much.
“I’ll go back,” I say.
“No, you won’t. Stay here and stop Mist from following me.”
“I said I’m going, mate. I have unfinished business with Ink.”