Report back

Report back
Zero POV

Chloe's face twists into a snarl, her fists balling up as she steps toward Fiona, eyes blazing with fury. "You take that back, you…" She trails off as the sound of my phone ringing cuts through the tension.

I glance at the screen. It's Nyx. My stomach knots, a cold wave of dread washing over me.

I have been dreading her call these past two days. I knew she would eventually call me but I wasn't prepared for what to say. However, I knew one thing for sure, I wasn't going to tell her the truth if she asked about Hera and Mason.

I turn to look at Fiona and give her a stern look.

“ Don't move. We're not done here." My voice comes out low, edged with warning. She crosses her arms, smirking, but stays put. Good. She knows better that I don't play nice like Mason.

I step away, my heart thudding as I swipe to answer.

"Nyx? What's up?" I ask, pretending to sound casual even when I am a bundle of nerves inside.

"Zero, Lily's been asking about Mason and Hera nonstop. I have tried calling them, but nothing. No answer, no texts. What's going on?"

I swallow hard, leaning against the wall to steady myself.

My mind races and I have one thing in mind –Lily can't know yet.

I force myself to calm down.

"They're on a quick vacation. They left the night after their engagement. I think the place probably has a crap network.Don't worry though, they'll check in soon."

Silence stretches on the other end.

It's heavy and probing, like she has dissected my words and found them untrustworthy.

I can picture Nyx's brow furrowing, her lips pressing into a thin line.

"Are you sure about that? You're not holding something from me, are you?” She asks at last.

I find myself shaking my head even when she is not here to see it.

“ What makes you think I am? I wouldn't lie to you Nyx and you know it.” I say, trying to convince her.

“ I didn't say you lied, just keeping things from me.

Mason might ghost for a bit, but Hera? She wouldn't skip talking to Lily.” Nyx argues.

Guilt twists in my chest and my free hand clenches, nails digging into my palm.

She's right about one thing, Hera has always been the glue, checking in, making sure Lily's okay.

But I can't tell Nyx the truth now, can I?

I need her to be there for Lily and not worrying about her brother and Hera.

Chances are, Lily would eventually pick her unease or…Nyx will leave Florida and rush back here.

"Everything is fine, Nyx. Just give them a couple days and they'll call back."

She sighs, “ alright. But if something is wrong anywhere, you'd better tell me or I won't forgive you.

I don't want to see heartbroken. You know she is still recovering from the last scare she got.” Nyx reminds me.

My chest tightens and I feel bad for lying. They might deserve to know the truth but if it's going to hurt them more–especially Lily – I'd rather be the villain and keep the truth from them.

We hang up, and I stare at the screen, my reflection mocking me in the dim light. Emotions churn inside me: fear, anger, desperation. They all come crashing down on me.

Taking a deep breath to stabilise my emotions, I shove the phone in my pocket and turn back toward the house, ready to get something out of Fiona.

I am not a fool, I know she knows something. Maybe not what happened to Hera and Mason but something tells me she can be if use with the little information she knows.

If my guess is right, whoever told her about what happened to Helena is part of the groups trying to harm us. It's either that Luca bastard or the masked man.

Before I take two steps, my phone rings again. I glance at the screen, it's an unknown number. My thumb hovers over to decline but I stop myself as a though comes in mind.

What if?

I scramble to answer before the call ends.

"Hello?" My voice is rough and cautious.

My heart slams against my ribs, racing like an engine redlining after listening to what the other person has to say.

I dial Ghost immediately when the call ends.

"Get back to the clubhouse. Now. Bring Shadow. We got a lead."

By the time I pocket the phone, Tank is already striding toward me, his massive frame cutting through the yard.

His eyes narrow, reading my face. "You look like you’ve found something. Good news?” He asks. He might be a nomad but he has always been loyal, staying around since the club started getting targeted.

I meet his gaze, voice steady despite the storm inside. " A tip just came in. Mason's location. Someone found him by the river. He is alive.” The words suddenly feel light coming from my mouth. I grip his shoulders, a smile playing on my lips.

Tank's eyebrows shoot up, but suspicion clouds his expression. He rubs his beard, glancing around like threats lurk in the shadows.

"Do you buy it? It sounds so convenient. It could be the enemy dangling bait, luring us into a kill zone."

My jaw clenches, teeth grinding. He's right; we have been played before. But the thought of Mason out there, hurt, waiting— it burns in my gut.

"Whether it's a plan or not, I gotta check. We can't leave him hanging."

Tank nods slowly, a grin cracking his face. "I figured you'd say that. If that's the case, we better be careful. Whether it's a trap or not, I have got a plan to smoke them out if it's dirty. We are the Shadow Riders, we always ride smart.”

I nod, his words making sense.

If it's a plan to lure us out, which could be true, we have to be planned for everything.

“ I'll leave it to you then.” I say, lightly tapping his shoulders.



The road stretches dark ahead, headlights slicing through the black. Wind whips my face but it sharpens my focus.

The guys had arrived fast and after I briefed them on what's happening, we set off.

Of course, Chloe and Fiona know nothing. Raven insisted on tagging along but I convinced her to stay behind and make sure Chloe and Fiona don't kill each other.

About an hour in the drive, I see them.

Headlights flicker in my mirrors. Two bikes hang back but matching our pace.

They are not random riders, I can tell that from the sound of their engines. Their machines are heavy, just like ours.

My pulse quickens, adrenaline surging hot through my veins. My lips curl into a smile. Tank was right to be suspicious.

I signal the others by raising my fist up then point back. Shadow nods, Ghost revs in acknowledgment. I thumb my comms earpiece.

"Tank, we got tails. Time to act."

"Copy," Tank grunts back. "Those sneaky bastards. Don't worry, we will take care of them. Just hang tight."

We slow as planned like we are scouting a turnoff. The two bikers do the same, keeping a distance from us.

We keep driving until I hear them sounds; Tank and the prospect's engines roaring from a distant.

They don't realise they are trapped until it's too late.

We don't kill, that's not the plan.

I clip one's tire and watch as he skids, crashing into dirt. Ghost tackles the second, pinning him with a knee to the back. Tank and the other prospects arrive, zip-tying them.

The guys squirm, faces pale under helmets. I expected a clue, maybe those masks Justin talked about but they are just muscle, eyes wide with fear.

"Who sent you?" I growl, yanking one up by the collar. Sweat drips down his face as he shakes his head, lips sealed.

Tank steps forward, his huge frame intimidating. He cracks his knuckles.

"Talk, or we make it hurt."

The guy cracks faster than expected.

"Some dude paid cash to have us follow you guys and report back. He didn't say why."

We leave them bound, bikes wrecked. It's clear that whoever we are going against knows how to play but he should be warned, I love playing. Sooner than later, I'll get him.

Night deepens as we hit the village outskirts.

“ This is the place.” I say, coming to a stop.

The rest do the same besides abs behind me.

We kill engines and decide to roll in quietly to avoid drawing eyes. The air smells of damp earth and woodsmoke. It's also peaceful here, a contrast to the bustling city of Chicago.

"Stay sharp," I whisper, signaling the team.

“ Report back to me if you find anything.”