Page 42 of Misted

Mist

I thought I felt no regrets until you barged back into my life like a raging storm.

We all return,although separately.

I go first and sneak into Le Salon from the back-entrance. The front is jammed with police cars, and if I stepped in front of them, they would’ve arrested me on the spot.

On the way here, I called Hades non-stop, but there was no response. I need his ‘get out of jail free’ card and only his connection with the higher-ups can give me that.

Molly paces my office as I search through my safe. I doubt they have a warrant for a thorough search — since it can implicate Hades’ partners, but I make sure nothing can be found and used to hurt the girls.

The office door swings open and Shadow barges inside, his curls falling in chaos across his forehead and his white T-shirt is all cramped as if he just got out of the shower. The fight from earlier left him with a cut bottom lip and half-swollen left eye.

Zoe walks beside him with a slight bob to her wavy blonde hair. Her darkish eyeshadow brings out the bright green of her eyes.

I pause placing the documents back in the safe as I stare at her growing belly and radiating face. My chest tightens as an old ache squeezes my insides.

“It’s that ‘I told you fucking so’ moment.” Shadow snaps, bringing me back to reality. “We have police with bloody warrants downstairs.”

“I’ll take care of it.” I shut the safe and enter the combination until a beep sounds. “Just take Zoe out of here. It’s not safe for her or the baby.”

“I tried talking to Liam, but the mule wouldn’t listen. He has a strong prejudice against criminals.” Zoe touches my arm. “I’m sorry I couldn’t help.”

I pat her hand. “Don’t worry about me. Just take care of yourself.”

“How in fuck will you take care of this?” Shadow runs a tense hand through his hair. “Hades said he won’t help.”

My smile drops and I spin towards him so fast, Zoe flinches. “What?”

“He said he has no favours to give.”

“Shit,” Molly mutters.

Shit indeed. My mind races with jumbled thoughts. Hades can’t abandon me. Why would he? He always used any favours he had with the police so none of us are caught. Not that we had many situations where we faced imprisonment.

“Don’t alert Ghost.” I keep my tone neutral even though doubt niggles at my insides. “I’ll go with the police for now, and then we’ll think of something.”

“Misty…” Molly’s eyes rim with tears. “No.”

I clutch her shoulders. “I need you strong and with your head on our mission, Molly. I can count on you, right?”

She nods slowly.

I turn around and walk out of the office with measured steps. As Shadow said, half a dozen officers wait down the stairs, wearing uniforms and standing in a straight line. At their front, Lieutenant Liam Cole, Zoe’s foster brother stands with a defensive stance, glaring at the top of Scar’s head.

She’s still wearing the tulle yellow skirt with “Bonsoir, Bitches” written along her breasts.

“I’ll arrest you for obstruction of justice,” Liam tells her in a gravelly, impatient voice.

“I was just asking if you knew how many people died in World War Two. It’s not my fault that you suck at history, police.” She twirls a platinum blonde strand and laughs as if she’s at a party. “By the way, I like the new hair.”

He steps in her face, expression taut. “Get out of my way.”

“Boo. That’s not how it works, police. You’re supposed to compliment me in return. I mean the least you can do is say you like my hair, too.”

“I don’t.”

“How about my outfit for the day?” She stretches her T-shirt down so she’s giving a generous view of her cleavage. A few of the officers ogle her openly, but Liam narrows his eyes on her face, seeming to read through her deflation tricks.

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