Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 205

“What the hell was that?” Chase looked around. “Are people setting off fireworks? It’s not even the Fourth of July!”

“Whoosh–BANG!” The sound was louder this time, and the trunk of Chase’s Bentley visibly shuddered.

Ryan stepped back quickly, his hand instinctively moving toward his waist. Zach, who had finally emerged from the passenger seat, also retreated, his previously bored expression suddenly alert.

“Fireworks aren’t allowed in the city limits,” Chase complained, oblivious to the danger. “Some people have no-”

The realization hit him mid–sentence. “Oh shit. The trunk!”

He lunged for the trunk release button on his key fob. The moment the lid popped open, a fountain of multicolored sparks erupted, shooting in all directions.

“FUCK!” Chase screamed, jumping back as a rocket whizzed past his ear. “The fireworks I bought for New Year’s!”

The trunk had become a launching pad for dozens of fireworks, all igniting in sequence. Chase danced around wildly, trying to dodge the colorful projectiles while Aurelia stood frozen in shock, her mouth hanging open.

“Wow…” she breathed as a particularly impressive burst of gold and blue exploded overhead.

Ryan and Zach had taken cover behind Aurelia’s BMW, watching the chaos with varying degrees of disbelief.

Pedestrians stopped to stare and record the impromptu fireworks display. Cars honked as drivers slowed to gawk at the spectacle of a frantic Chase Astor leaping and spinning to avoid being hit by his own fireworks in the middle of Princeton’s busiest street.

Forty minutes later, Jade sat at a private table in The Velvet Lounge, checking her watch for the third time. She’d expected Chase to arrive with Ryan and Zach at least twenty minutes ago.

The hostess approached her table. “Ms. Morgan? There are… three gentlemen here for you. Should I send them in?”

‘Yes, please,‘ Jade replied.

Nothing could have prepared her for the sight that greeted her next. Chase, Ryan, and Zach stumbled into the private dining room looking like they’d crawled through a war zone. Their clothes were singed and covered in soot, their faces smudged with black powder, and Chase’s perfectly styled hair was sticking up in all directions, partially

melted on one side.

The hostess hovered uncertainly at the door. “Are you… sure these are your guests, Ms. Morgan?”

1/3

96

8:28 Thu, Sep 25

Chapter 205

Jade couldn’t help the smirk that tugged at her lips. “Unfortunately, yes.”

“What the hell happened to you three?” she asked as the hostess reluctantly departed.

“Your friend,” Zach finally spoke, shooting Chase a venomous glare, “is a disaster waiting to happen.”

Chase grinned, his white teeth standing out comically against his blackened face. “The fireworks in my trunk exploded.”

“Fireworks,” Jade repeated flatly.

“For New Year’s!” Chase exclaimed. “But then Aurelia rear–ended us, and they just… went off.”

The three men excused themselves to clean up in the restroom. When they returned, looking marginally more presentable, Jade nodded toward Zach.

“Zachie, long time no see,” she said casually.

Zach opened his mouth as if to respond, then closed it again, looking uncomfortable as he settled into his chair.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify