Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 203

Jade’s POV:

I walked over to Ethan, who promptly stood up from his seat in the airport lounge. Connor sat nearby, fingers flying over his laptop keyboard. I raised an eyebrow at the woman standing in front of Ethan, her designer outfit and perfectly styled hair screaming “I’m available and interested.”

“Your friend?” I asked, nodding toward her.

Ethan’s expression cooled instantly. “Never seen her before.”

Connor glanced up from his laptop. “Not an acquaintance of ours, no.”

The woman’s confident smile faltered as she awkwardly pulled back the ass she’d been about to plant in the seat

next to Ethan. She recovered quickly, flashing a practiced smile.

*This must be your sister,” she said, her eyes sweeping over me. “She’s gorgeous. Good genes in your family.”

Ethan’s face hardened further, green eyes turning frosty. Behind us, more than a dozen security personnel who had been seated discreetly throughout the lounge simultaneously rose to their feet.

The woman noticed, her smile vanishing completely as she backed away. “Sorry to disturb you,” she muttered before hurrying off.

I dropped into the seat she’d been eyeing. “You’re quite the people magnet, aren’t you?”

Ethan sat back down, his expression softening as he looked at me. “It just makes me seem approachable and easy.”

“Maybe she was exceptional,” I said, watching his reaction. “She was beautiful, at least.”

His eyes locked onto mine, intense and unwavering. “No matter how beautiful, it depends on who’s looking.”

The temperature between us seemed to rise by several degrees. I broke eye contact first, scanning the crowded terminal. Holiday travelers packed every available space, their faces a mixture of excitement and exhaustion. Christmas decorations hung from the ceiling oversized ornaments and twinkling lights creating a festive atmosphere that felt alien to me,

–

My phone vibrated in my pocket, offering a welcome distraction. I pulled it out to see Max’s face filling the screen

for a video call.

“Hey,” I answered, unable to keep the warmth from my voice.

“Jade!” Max’s face lit up, his features animated with excitement. “When are you coming home? Will you be here for Christmas?”

1/4

8:28 Thu, Sep 25

Chapter 203

“I’m at the airport now. Should be back at Princeton tonight.”

Max squinted, leaning closer to his screen. “Is that Mr. Haxton with you?”

I angled the phone so Ethan was visible. He smiled and gave a small wave. “Hello, Max.”

“Whoa!” Max’s eyes widened. “Are you guys spending Christmas together?”

96

Ethan leaned closer to my phone. “Only if our flight gets delayed and we’re stuck here. But we should make it back

in time.”

Our flight wasn’t delayed. We landed in Princeton right on schedule, and I found myself standing with Ethan near the baggage claim. The airport was a sea of holiday travelers, reuniting families embracing while exhausted airline

staff directed traffic.

“The invitation to Christmas dinner still stands,” Ethan said, his voice low enough that only I could hear it. “My

parents would love to thank you properly for what you did for my grandfather.”

“I’ll pass,” I replied. “But thanks.”

He looked disappointed but nodded. An older man in a crisp uniform approached us, bowing slightly to Ethan.

“Welcome back, sir. The car is ready.”

Ethan turned to the man. “Bertram, do you have what I asked for?”

“Yes, sir.” Bertram produced two elegant black envelopes with gold embossing – the Haxton family crest gleaming

under the fluorescent lights.

Ethan handed them to me. “Gift cards for you and Max. Any Haxton property worldwide–hotels, restaurants, spas.

Valid forever, no limit.”

I stared at the cards, feeling their weight.

‘Just a small thank you. Take one for Max too.”

I slipped them into my pocket, “Thanks.”

“Bertram will drive you home,” Ethan said.

“Not necessary. I can get a-”

“I have Connor,” he interrupted.

Forty minutes later, Bertram pulled up to my suburban home. I thanked him and got out, grabbing my bag from the trunk. As I approached the house, I noticed something odd–someone’s ass was sticking up in the air as they pressed

2

2/4

8:28 Thu, Sep 25

Chapter 203

their face against my living room window, peering inside.

:

I walked over and kicked the person squarely in the backside.

The figure yelped, face smacking into the glass before he spun around, clutching his nose. “What the fu-” Chase Astor’s outrage turned to recognition. “Jade! Jesus Christ, I think you broke my nose!”

“What are you doing creeping around my house?” I demanded.

96

“Creeping? I’ve been trying to reach you for months!” Chase dabbed at his nose, checking for blood. “Where have you been? Vacation? I asked Sterling, and he said he hadn’t seen you around Cloud City.”

“Vacation,” I confirmed.

“You went on vacation without me?” Chase looked genuinely hurt. “I’m excellent at booking hotels, arranging transportation, taking photos, planning itineraries—”

“Ethan handled all that.”

Chase froze, his hand still on his nose. “What? You went with Mr. Haxton?”

I stepped around him to unlock my door. “Why are you at my house?”

“To keep you company for Christmas, obviously!” He followed me inside, looking around at the sparse furnishings. “Your stepmother and stepsister are terrible people, so you wouldn’t want to spend the holiday with them. And the Sullivans are definitely out of the question after what happened with Catherine.”

He plopped down on my couch. “Come to our house for Christmas dinner! My parents would love to have you. Dad’s been asking about you, actually. He thinks you’re a ‘fascinating young lady‘ – his exact words.”

‘I already turned down Ethan’s invitation. Why would I accept yours?”

Chase’s expression fell like I’d kicked his puppy. “Because we’re friends? Because it’s Christmas and no one should be alone? Because my mom makes amazing roast turkey with cranberry stuffing?”

My phone buzzed with a text message. I read it quickly, then looked up at Chase. “Are you in a hurry to get home?”

“Not at all. Why?”

“Want to pick up two people from the airport for me?”

Chase’s eyes immediately lit up with interest, his disappointment forgotten. “Absolutely! Who am I picking up? More mysterious friends of yours? Someone dangerous? Someone famous?” He wiggled his eyebrows suggestively.

I handed him the details. “You’ll see when you get there.”