Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 199

Badass in Disguise

Chapter 199

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Author’s POV:

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97

Ace of Spades lounged on a leather sofa, his relaxed posture contradicting the sharp alertness in his eyes. He gestured for Jade and her companions to sit across from him. Three men stood behind him, fingers hovering near their weapons. But it was the lean man to his right that caught Jade’s attention – Eclipse. His cold, predatory gaze tracked her movements with professional precision.

“Crimson Valley’s quite unstable these days,” Ace of Spades remarked, swirling amber liquid in a crystal glass. The ice clinked softly against the side. “Even my territory has been attacked by unknown assailants. You should be

careful.”

Night started to respond, but Jade nudged his arm discreetly with her elbow. The pressure was light but deliberate.

“I heard Scorpio family’s casino was bombed,” he said instead. “Aren’t you two feuding?”

Ace of Spades‘ lips curved into a thin smile that didn’t reach his eyes. “Scorpio’s casino was blown up by those arms dealer fellows. Haven’t you heard?”

Night raised an eyebrow, his expression deliberately puzzled. “Is that so? Then perhaps they bombed your place too.”

The tension in the room thickened like smoke. Jade could practically taste the suspicion in the air. Ace of Spades studied Night for a moment before introducing himself.

“I’m Malachai Blackthorn,” he said, his tone dripping with false warmth. “What brings you all to Crimson Valley?”

“Business,” Night replied vaguely.

Ethan straightened his cuffs. “Tourism,” he said smoothly.

Chris adjusted his glasses. “This place is quite chaotic. I’m looking for potential legal cases.”

Ace of Spades turned his penetrating gaze to Jade,

“School assignment,” she said with a casual shrug. “I’m looking for inspiration.”

Ace probed Night about potential collaboration, but Night kept his responses deliberately ambiguous. When Ace invited them to stay for dinner, Jade declined and they made their exit.

The cold night air hit Jade’s face as they stepped outside, a welcome relief from the suffocating tension indoors. Once they were a safe distance away, Night turned to her.

“Why didn’t you take him out right there?”

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Chapter 199

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“The odds weren’t in our favor,” she admitted, scanning their surroundings for any followers. “Eclipse’s skills surpass yours, Chris’s, and Connor’s. His speed rivals mine. Even if you three could distract those three men, I’d still have to deal with both Ace and Eclipse simultaneously.”

She glanced back at the compound, its windows glowing like predatory eyes in the darkness. “With my current physical condition and reflexes, that would be a suicide mission. And that’s not counting the three skilled killers standing guard.”

“So what now?” Night asked, his fingers tapping impatiently against his thigh.

“Tonight I’ll pay Eclipse a visit,” Jade decided. “Eliminate him first.”

Ethan’s face tightened with concern. “That’s too dangerous.”

“Definitely too risky,” Chris agreed. “Given their capabilities, if they detect you, escape would be nearly impossible.”

“Can’t we use poison like we did with Warren Mitchell?” Ethan suggested, his voice dropping to a near whisper.

“This old fox is too cautious,” Jade replied. “Besides, our visit today has already put them on alert. Poison won’t work.”

“Who’s Warren Mitchell?” Night asked, his curiosity piqued.

“King of Hearts,” she answered simply.

Night’s eyes flickered to Ethan, a question in them that he didn’t voice.

Back in his compound, Ace of Spades dismissed his men but kept Eclipse by his side. As soon as the room emptied, he pulled out a secured tablet. A new encrypted message from JOKER had arrived.

“I’m right,” he read aloud, eyes narrowing. “The girl. Seemingly harmless but the most dangerous of the group. She’s the one who eliminated King of Hearts, Umbra, and Silhouette.”

Eclipse’s face remained impassive.

“Is she a genetic clone?” Ace wondered, studying the attached photo of Jade. “Or perhaps Shadow’s secret protégé? Coming to avenge her?”

–

He set the tablet down, turning to Eclipse. “Tonight, you’ll eliminate the girl. The others leave them alone. We don’t need unnecessary complications.”

Eclipse nodded, a silent promise of death.

Later that night, Jade stood by her window, checking her weapons. The tactical knife felt familiar in her palm, its

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Chapter 199

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weight comforting. A soft ping from her phone drew her attention Too dangerous.”

–

a message from Ethan: “Don’t act on your own.

She almost smiled. His concern was touching, but unnecessary. She’d faced worse odds in her previous life.

The whisper of movement outside her window was her only warning. Jade dropped to the floor as the glass shattered inward. A dark figure slipped through the opening with serpentine grace Eclipse. The moonlight glinted off the blade in his hand.

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