Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 202

Chapter 202

Author’s POV:

:

96

Night’s eyes narrowed as he glared at Ethan across the medical room. The tension between them was thick enough

to cut with a knife.

“You sure you want to settle scores on his turf?” Jade asked Night, nodding toward Ethan.

Night’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “Last time we didn’t get to finish properly. I’m in a shit mood anyway.”

Jade stepped between them, the movement pulling at her freshly bandaged arm. “He’s injured.”

Night’s gaze flickered to Ethan’s right arm, then to Jade’s own–both wrapped in nearly identical bandages at almost the same spot. His expression darkened as he made the connection. The coincidence wasn’t lost on him.

“Let’s go upstairs,” Jade said, heading toward the door. She paused before leaving, turning back to Ethan. “Don’t get

that wound wet.”

Ethan nodded, his green eyes never leaving her face. “I won’t.”

Night gave Ethan one last threatening look before following Jade. As they reached the doorway, he draped his arm possessively around her shoulders. “Baby, you’re injured too. How are you going to shower? Need me to help?” He said it loudly enough for Ethan to hear, his words deliberately provocative.

Jade rolled her eyes and kept walking.

Miles away, perched on a hillside overlooking the drug lord’s compound, Loki watched smoke rise from a burning building.

“Another one gone,” he murmured, a slight smile playing on his lips.

The flames danced in his eyes as he considered who might be next.

Ethan lay in bed staring at the ceiling, sleep evading him despite his exhaustion, His mind kept returning to the image of Jade by the stream, crouched in the darkness, silently washing blood from her wound. She had looked so small then, so vulnerable,

That kind of life–fighting, getting wounded, handling injuries alone–seemed to be routine for her. While he’d winced at the sting of antiseptic on his own wound, she hadn’t even flinched.

1/4

Chapter 202

Who are you really, Jade Morgan? he wondered. What’s your connection to Shadow Organization? What did they do to

you?

The throbbing pain in his arm intensified, making sleep even more impossible. If his wound hurt this much, hers must be painful too. He reached for his phone, finger hovering over her contact, wanting to text and ask if she needed painkillers.

After a moment’s hesitation, he put the phone down. She clearly knew how to handle injuries better than he did.

A quiet knock woke Jade the next morning. She checked her phone first–a message from Ethan: Bringing breakfast. You awake?

She swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at her stitches. After checking through the peephole, she opened the door to find Ethan standing there, holding a thermal container and a black bag.

“Morning,” he said, his voice low and smooth. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept much either.

Jade stepped aside to let him in, then closed the door. “I need to wash up first.”

“Go ahead. I’ll wait.”

When she emerged from the bathroom, he was still standing, as if sitting would be too presumptuous. The thermal container was on the nightstand, steam escaping from a small vent.

“Bone broth with nutrients,” he explained. “I’ll make you something with iron for lunch. Red meat, spinach–good for blood replenishment.”

“It’s just a flesh wound,” she said. “Not enough blood loss to worry about.”

He gave her a look that said he disagreed but wouldn’t argue. Then he held up the black bag. “Female necessities. I remembered your cycle should be starting around now.”

She met his gaze, impressed but not about to show it. “Good memory.”

“What are your plans for Christmas?” Ethan asked, watching Jade sip the broth. “Going to Russia with Night?”

She stared into the container, considering her answer. Christmas had never been significant to her–before or after her rebirth. “It’s just another day.”

“It doesn’t have to be,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “My parents are having dinner at the main house. Nothing fancy.”

2/4

8:27 Thu, Sep 25

Chapter 202

“Sounds nice for you.”

96

“I’ve spent every Christmas with them. Missing one dinner won’t matter.” He paused. “My parents and my aunt Olivia still want to thank you properly for what you did for my grandpa. They’d like to meet you, talk to you.”

Jade considered his words, wondering what a normal Christmas would be like. Before she could respond, a sharp knock interrupted them.

“Baby, you up?” Night’s voice called through the door. “I thought I heard you talking.”

Jade opened the door to find Night leaning against the doorframe, his casual pose belied by the tension in his shoulders. His eyes flicked past her to where Ethan stood.

“Baby, breakfast is pretty good today,” Night said with a forced smile. “You should head down and eat. I need a quick word with Mr. Haxton.”

Jade looked between them, sensing the brewing confrontation. “If you can’t stand him, don’t hold back,” she told Ethan. “If your wound reopens, come find me.” Then she turned to Night. “Remember whose territory this is.”

She stepped past Night into the hallway. “Keep it down. Don’t disturb Chris.”

As she walked away, she heard Night’s sweet tone: “Baby, wait for me.” But not before he’d given Ethan a look that could freeze hell.

Two days later, Ethan checked his watch for the third time in five minutes. The airport’s departure lounge was crowded with holiday travelers, but the person he was waiting for hadn’t appeared yet.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify