Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 281

apter 281

Author’s POV:

The morning sun cast long shadows across Haxton’s manicured lawn as Max took Captain for his daily walk. He’d fallen into a comfortable routine during the month Jade had been away–first in Southeast Asia, then Russia, and now Venezuela at Titan Defense Group’s newly established headquarters. According to her sporadic texts, she’d missed the annual La Corona competition, but still managed to meet several new faces during her nearly two–week stay there.

“Morning, kid,” a deep voice called out.

Max turned to see Zach jogging toward him, sweat glistening on his forehead. Despite the early hour, Zach was already on his second lap around the massive property.

“Morning,” Max replied, shifting uncomfortably. Their interactions always felt awkward without Jade around.

Zach slowed to a walk, his breathing controlled. “You should join me sometime. Good way to start the day.” His tone was cool, distant.

“I’d like to. My leg’s completely healed now,” Max said, straightening his posture. “I can run and jump like everyone else.”

“Good for you.” Zach’s eyes fixed on the horizon. “You should take advantage of that. Build up some muscle.”

Max swallowed his irritation. “Maybe I’ll join you tomorrow morning?”

Zach shrugged. “Sure. I guess I can slow down for you. Consider it a favor for your sister.”

A brief silence fell between them before Zach asked, “Speaking of Jade, heard anything from her? When’s she coming back?”

“Still in Venezuela, I think.”

Zach nodded. “See you tomorrow. Six AM sharp. Don’t be late.”

After breakfast, Max settled in Ethan’s home office with his laptop. The room was impeccably decorated with dark mahogany furniture and floor–to–ceiling bookshelves. Ethan moved between conference calls and emails, occasionally barking orders to Connor through his earpiece. Despite his packed schedule, he still made time to help Max with advanced programming concepts.

“Try using a recursive function here,” Ethan suggested, pointing at Max’s screen. “It’ll clean up your code significantly.”

Max nodded, making the adjustment. “Like this?”

“Exactly.” Ethan’s phone buzzed again. “Excuse me.” He stepped away to take the call, his voice dropping to a serious murmur.

Max continued working on his code, absorbed in the challenge of optimizing the algorithm. A few minutes later, Ethan returned and settled into the chair beside him. Max glanced up briefly and noticed Ethan staring at his phone screen. It wasn’t a business email or document–it was a photo of Jade in a gold evening gown at some formal event, one eyebrow slightly raised, her smile dangerous and alluring. The way Ethan looked at that photo said everything.

Alexander was the first person Jade saw when she returned to the Haxton estate. He was instructing the security team at the gate when

O

1/3

Chapter 281

her taxi pulled up.

‘Ms. Morgan?” His eyebrows shot up in surprise. “We weren’t expecting you.”

Jade stepped out, stretching after the long flight. “That was the point.”

He quickly dismissed the security team. “Let her in anytime, understood? Ms. Morgan has unrestricted access to the property.”

The guards nodded, looking appropriately chastised.

“Is my brother inside?” Jade asked, shouldering her small duffel bag.

“In the main library with Mr. Haxton.” Alexander gestured toward the house. “Would you like me to announce your arrival?”

“No need.”

Jade found her way to the massive library where Max was hunched over a laptop, completely absorbed in whatever he was coding. A small robot stood sentinel beside him, its camera eyes swiveling toward her as she entered.

“Intruder! Intruder!” it chirped in a cartoonish voice.

Max looked up, his eyes widening. “Jade!”

He leaped from his chair and rushed over, nearly tripping in his excitement. Jade reached out and pinched his cheek.

“All done with exams and still working so hard? I hear you crushed it. Princeton’s basically a sure thing now.”

Max’s face flushed with pride. “This is Maxi,” he said, gesturing to the robot. “Ethan gave it to me as a graduation present.”

Jade examined the robot, which was now circling her legs like a mechanical cat. “Cute. Speaking of Ethan, where is he?”

“Downstairs in the gym. He’s been spending a lot of time there lately.”

“Has he, now?” Jade raised an eyebrow. “I think I’ll go say hello.”

She found her way to the basement level gym, pausing at the doorway. Ethan was working a heavy bag, his gray t–shirt darkened with sweat, his muscles rippling with each precise strike. His technique was professional–not flashy, but devastatingly effective. Jade stood silently, appreciating the view as he unleashed a combination of hooks and uppercuts.

Something made him pause suddenly. He caught the returning bag with both hands, holding it steady as he slowly turned toward the door.

His eyes locked with hers, disbelief washing over his features.

“Jade?”

She stepped into the gym. “Surprised?”

Ethan released the bag, wiping sweat from his brow with the back of his hand. “Why didn’t you tell me you were coming back?”

2/3

Chapter 281

And miss that look on your face? Not a chance.”

“Want to spar?” he asked, gesturing to the mat.

VERIFYCAPTCHA_LABELVerify