Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 327

Chapter 327

Author’s POV:

:

The winter sun slanted through the market’s makeshift canopy, warming Jade’s face as she sat at a low table in the crowded farmers market. It had been over two weeks since they’d fled that slum, since Tolosa’s death. Her shoulder still ached when she moved too quickly, but at least she could use her arm again.

The marketplace hummed with activity around them–vendors shouting prices, customers haggling, the aroma of spices and freshly baked bread filling the air. Colorful stalls crowded together under large plastic tarps that provided shelter from the elements. Despite the simple surroundings, there was something comforting about the genuine humanity of it all.

Jade studied Ethan sitting across from her, his nearly six–foot–three frame comically oversized for this cramped food stall. His long legs barely fit under the table, sticking out awkwardly into the narrow walkway. The baseball cap and fake beard he wore as a disguise made her want to laugh.

“You really think that beard helps?” she asked, taking a bite of fresh bread.

Ethan’s eyes remained serious beneath his cap. “Security is always the priority.”

“That disguise is basically useless against Shadow Organization.”

“I know,” he replied calmly.

“Yet you still wear it.”

His lips curved slightly. “Better than nothing. Besides, I saw you smile when I bought it earlier.”

Jade pulled her hoodie closer around herself, the material soft against her healing skin. Over these past two weeks, they’d managed to stay mobile and alert. Her counter–surveillance skills had kept them one step ahead of Shadow’s operatives. If Ethan didn’t know better, he might have thought she was one of Shadow’s own operatives, trained at the highest level.

Her gaze drifted across the market stalls, and she suddenly pointed toward a clothing vendor. “That purple midi skirt over there. And that white shawl.” She continued, gesturing toward another stall. “With that red and white hat with the veil. You’d look stunning in women’s clothes, Mr. Haxton.”

“You think a six–three ‘woman‘ with my build wouldn’t stand out in Ethiopia?” he raised an eyebrow, amusement dancing in his eyes.

“Oh, you’d definitely stand out,” Jade admitted bluntly. “But isn’t that half the fun? Giving me something worth watching?”

He shook his head. “If I ran into Shadow operatives wearing a skirt, I’d be at a serious disadvantage. Couldn’t even run properly.”

“Who said anything about running?” she smirked. “You could just kill them with laughter. Though they’re trained not to laugh, so maybe

not.”

Ethan genuinely laughed, his eyes studying her face, which had grown thinner and paler over the weeks. “You really enjoy teasing me, don’t you?”

“Is that a problem?” she challenged.

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10:35 Fri, Oct 3 M

Chapter 327

He nodded slightly, his expression sincere. “Not at all.”

Jade continued eating breakfast, suddenly noticing how Ethan’s fake beard interfered with his ability to eat properly. The adhesive edges kept catching bits of food, and he had to maneuver awkwardly to take each bite. Without warning, she reached over and yanked it off.

He rubbed his face where the adhesive had pulled at his skin, then carefully picked up the beard she’d tossed on the table and tucked it into his jacket pocket.

“How considerate of you,” she remarked, assuming he’d throw it away later.

Ethan continued eating and calmly replied, “I’m keeping it. I’ll use it again, stick it on, and make you itch.”

He raised an eyebrow at her, his eyes holding a playful challenge and something else she couldn’t quite identify–something that felt like flirtation.

As they finished their meal, Jade’s gaze caught movement through a gap between stalls. An American man with cold, calculating eyes methodically scanned the market, his expression predatory. His gaze swept across the crowd like a scalpel, dissecting each face.

Her body tensed instantly. “Ethan,” she said quietly.

Ethan had barely looked up before Jade was on her feet. He immediately became alert, following her lead. Tracking her line of sight, he spotted the American man–about five–foot–nine with a distinctive mole on his chin.

The operative continued searching the market, then, finding nothing, turned to leave through an alley. They followed at a safe distance, moving silently through the crowd. Ethan’s eyes never left their target as they navigated the market’s narrow pathways.

Suddenly, the operative sensed something and whirled around to find Ethan directly behind him. His eyes widened with recognition.

The killer recognized Ethan immediately and decided not to engage. He spun to escape, only to find Jade blocking his path, her stance casual but ready.

When he saw her, fear flashed across his face. He knew exactly who she was, what she was capable of. Even with her injury, combined with Ethan’s assistance, the operative realized he was outmatched.

Before he could signal to potential backup, Jade attacked without hesitation, targeting his vulnerable points. Despite her healing shoulder, she easily neutralized his initial defense, striking with precision born from years of training.

The operative was overwhelmed by their coordinated assault. After several exchanges, Ethan landed a powerful kick that sent the man crashing into the alley wall, coughing blood and losing half his fighting capacity. The sound of his body hitting the brick echoed in the narrow space.

He barely dodged Ethan’s follow–up strike and attempted to counter, but Jade sliced through the tendons in his hand with surgical precision. His scream echoed in the narrow alley, the sound cutting off abruptly as he tried to control his reaction.

Terror filled his eyes as he repeatedly tried to escape, but they had him cornered in the tight space. Each attempt was met with calculated violence. Soon, Jade severed the tendons in his other hand as well, rendering both arms useless. She deliberately avoided fatal points, making him bleed slowly, driving her knife into pressure points that maximized pain without killing him outright.

Only after the operative’s desperate struggles weakened did she finally end his suffering.

Jade crouched before the body and used her knife to pry open his bloody mouth, discovering a black monitoring device the size of a

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10:35 Fri, Oct 3 M

Chapter 327

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