Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 233

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Chapter 233

Author’s POV:

Zach’s consciousness returned in fragmented pieces. First came the sensation–pain radiating from his right arm, the stiff discomfort of hospital sheets beneath him, the rhythmic beeping of medical equipment. Then memory flooded back–being suspended from a factory ceiling, a tactical knife driven through his forearm, blood trailing down his skin. He remembered Jade appearing. After that, darkness.

His eyes snapped open. Where was Jade? Was she safe?

The sterile white hospital ceiling offered no answers. Without hesitation, Zach ripped the IV from his arm, ignoring the sharp pain and small trickle of blood. He swung his legs over the bed’s edge, fighting a wave of dizziness as he stood.

“Señor, por favor! You must stay in bed!” A nurse rushed into the room, speaking rapid Spanish. “Sus heridas son graves!”

Zach ignored her, stumbling toward the door. “Where is she? Where’s Jade?”

The nurse called for assistance, and a doctor entered, attempting to block Zach’s path. The doctor spoke in Spanish, gesturing for Zach to return to bed.

“I don’t understand you,” Zach growled, frustration mounting. “I need to find her. Now.”

When the doctor placed a hand on his shoulder, Zach’s combat instincts flared. He shoved the man aside with more force than intended.

“Get out of my way, don’t stop me!” he shouted, his voice hoarse from disuse.

“What’s all this noise about?” a familiar voice called from the doorway. “Want to lose that arm completely?”

Zach froze, relief washing over him like a physical force. Jade stood in the doorway, her posture relaxed but something subtly off about her stance.

“You’re okay,” he breathed, the fight instantly draining from him. With the adrenaline subsiding, pain rushed back in -his arm throbbed mercilessly, and various other injuries made themselves known.

“Those Shadow operatives have been handled,” Jade said, stepping further into the room. “And Max is fine, in case you were wondering.”

Zach watched as she moved toward a chair, her hand subtly reaching out to find the edge before she sat. That’s when he noticed–her eyes didn’t track his movements. They seemed to look through him rather than at him.

“What happened to you?” he asked, his voice low and urgent.

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Chapter 233

Jade tilted her head slightly, her expression neutral. “Oh, I’m blind now. Not a big deal.”

Zach stared at her, processing the casual way she’d delivered such significant news. Before he could respond, the doctor began speaking rapidly in Spanish, gesturing at Zach’s arm.

“He wants you back in bed,” Jade translated. “Says you’ll tear your stitches.”

“I’m fine,” Zach insisted, though he allowed himself to sit on the edge of the bed. “We need to leave.”

Jade nodded, standing again. “I’ve already signed your discharge papers. Against medical advice, obviously.”

Twenty minutes later, they walked out of the hospital’s main entrance. Zach, despite the pain shooting through his arm with each step, insisted on walking without support. Instead, Jade’s hand rested lightly on his forearm, using him as a guide.

“This is weird,” she murmured. “Being led by someone else.”

“You’re handling it remarkably well,” Zach observed.

“It’s temporary,” she said with characteristic confidence. “Probably.”

As they crossed the street, a glossy black SUV careened around the corner, missing Zach by inches. The driver, a young man in designer sunglasses, stuck his head out the window.

“Watch where you’re going, American trash!” he shouted in accented English.

Zach tensed, instinctively stepping forward. The young man’s insults continued, becoming increasingly vulgar until the sudden arrival of a convoy of black luxury vehicles silenced him. The cars–at least fifteen of them–formed a perfect semicircle around Jade and Zach, their engines purring with restrained power.

The center car’s door opened, and a man emerged with the unhurried grace of someone who had never needed to rush for anything in his life. Tall and impeccably dressed in a tailored suit, he cradled a pristine white Maine Coon cat in his arms. The animal’s fur contrasted starkly with his dark attire, like fresh snow against midnight.

The young driver who had been shouting moments before suddenly paled. “Duke Linden,” he whispered, scrambling to bow awkwardly from his car window. “I apologize, sir. I didn’t realize–I wouldn’t have-”

Lawrence Linden didn’t acknowledge him. With a barely perceptible nod of his head, one of his security personnel approached the young man’s vehicle. A few quiet words were exchanged, and the SUV reversed hastily, disappearing down a side street.

Lawrence approached Jade and Zach, his expression curious as he studied Jade’s face. “You look different than I remember,” he said, his voice cultured and smooth.

“I was wearing a mask and hat,” Jade replied.

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Chapter 233

“Yes, but I remember your eyes.” Lawrence’s gaze was penetrating. “They were fox–like. Exceptionally beautiful, with a lazy sort of allure.” His head tilted slightly. “Not almond–shaped and harmless–looking like they are now.”

His observation hung in the air for a moment before his expression shifted subtly. “I notice you haven’t looked at me

once.”

“I’m blind,” Jade confirmed matter–of–factly. “Chemical agent. Temporary inconvenience.”

Lawrence’s eyebrows rose slightly. “I see. Please, allow me to offer assistance. My home is at your disposal.”

Once settled in the plush interior of Lawrence’s car, Zach studied the man with barely concealed suspicion. Lawrence stroked his cat with long, elegant fingers, seemingly unbothered by Zach’s scrutiny.

“Why didn’t you wait at the hospital for my people to collect you?” Lawrence asked Jade. “Were you trying to slip away unnoticed?”

Jade’s lips quirked upward. “If I wanted to slip away unnoticed, would you have found me at all?”

“Fair point,” Lawrence conceded with a small smile. “Now, may I know your name? Your real name, if you don’t

mind.”

“Jade Morgan.”

Lawrence nodded thoughtfully. “I can arrange for the best ophthalmologists in Europe to examine you.”

“That won’t be necessary,” Jade said confidently. “I have my own methods.”

The cat in Lawrence’s arms suddenly perked up, its blue eyes fixed on Jade. To everyone’s surprise, it leaped from Lawrence’s lap to Jade’s, settling comfortably as if it had found its rightful place.

“Well,” Lawrence said, genuine surprise coloring his voice. “Duchess has never done that before. She’s typically quite

selective about her human companions.”

Jade’s hand found the cat’s fur, stroking it gently.

The car glided through the city streets, eventually turning onto a private road that wound through meticulously landscaped grounds. When they finally stopped, Lawrence helped Jade from the car while Zach exited on his own, taking in the massive estate before them.

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