Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 304

Chapter 304

The SUV came to a halt several hundred yards from the massive structure looming in the desert.

Miguel shifted nervously in the driver’s seat, squinting through the windshield. “This is insane,” he muttered, wiping sweat from his brow. “How the hell are we supposed to get in there? There’s not a single bit of cover for hundreds of yards. Even with the radar jammed, we’ll be spotted in seconds. No way to sneak in.” He turned to face me, exasperation clear in his voice. “What’s the plan? Just charge in guns blazing?”

I lowered the binoculars and gave him a flat look. “We walk in.”

I turned my attention to Selene. Her wrists were still bound, though I’d loosened the restraints enough to prevent circulation issues. I had reset her dislocated leg earlier. “Time to move,” I told her.

Selene climbed out of the SUV, wincing as her injured leg hit the sand. I followed closely, positioning myself behind her slender frame. She’d make an excellent human shield if needed.

“What about me?” Miguel called through the open window.

“Stay with the vehicle,” I ordered. “Be ready to leave quickly if necessary.”

We trudged through the sand, the fortress growing larger with each step. Selene’s limp became more pronounced as we approached, but she didn’t complain. Smart woman. The high walls stretched at least fifty feet into the air, built in a neo–classical style that seemed wildly out of place in the middle of the desert.

Four guard towers marked the corners of the compound, but as we drew closer, I could see they were unmanned. The main gate stood open, its electronic security systems dark and inactive.

We passed through the entrance without resistance, not a single alarm or guard in sight. The moment we stepped inside the fortress walls, the howling desert wind died away, and the stinging sand no longer whipped at our faces. The silence was absolute–no footsteps, no voices, not even the hum of electronics.

“Where is everyone?” I whispered, more to myself than to Selene.

“I don’t know,” she replied, her voice tight with tension.

I pressed my gun into the small of her back. “Keep moving.”

The interior of the fortress was a stark contrast to its exterior. Instead of rough stone and desert functionality, the halls were lined with polished marble floors and modern art pieces worth millions. Recessed lighting cast a soft glow across leather furniture and glass tables. This wasn’t a military installation–it was a luxury residence.

“Which way?” I demanded, nudging Selene with the barrel of my gun.

She hesitated, eyes darting between three identical corridors. “I… I’m not sure. I’ve only been here once before.”

“Then guess.”

Selene reluctantly led me down the left corridor, her footsteps echoing on the marble floor. I kept close behind her, using her body as cover while scanning constantly for threats. The small drone I’d brought with me hovered silently above.

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8:21 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 304

The drone circled the space, encountering none of the infrared security measures Selene had warned about.

My earpiece crackled softly. “Master, signal jamming complete,” Ethan’s voice came through clearly. Ahead of us, the red indicators on several security cameras blinked and went dark.

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