Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 289

Chapter 289

Jade’s POV:

I returned to Silas’s apartment with antiseptic and bandages, finding him sitting motionless by the window. The place looked tidier than when I’d left–broken glass swept away, furniture righted. He turned at the sound of the door.

“Sit, I ordered, gesturing to the bed.

He obeyed without a word, perching on the edge of the mattress as I soaked a cotton ball in alcohol. His split lip twitched when I pressed the antiseptic to it, but he didn’t make a sound.

“You’re quiet,” I remarked, tilting his face to check for other injuries.

Silas stared ahead. “I’m sorry.”

Silas took a few days off after that night. When I asked about his absence during our next tutoring session, he mentioned picking up a part–time job, promising he’d be back in class soon. I didn’t push for details.

Days melted into one another, filled with classes and my usual routine. Max found me in the kitchen one evening, his eyes bright with that look that meant he was plotting something.

“So, how are things with Ethan?” he asked, trying and failing to sound casual.

I stirred my coffee. “There are no ‘things‘ with Ethan.”

“Come on, Jade. You two were good together.” Max leaned against the counter. “I know you miss him.”

“We’re not the same kind of people, Max.” I took a sip, the bitterness matching my mood. “Better to realize it now than later.”

Max fidgeted with his phone case. “I need to return Maxi to him this weekend. Would you come with me?”

I’ll think about it.”

“That means we’re going,” Max grinned, already heading for the door. “It’s settled!”

Saturday arrived with unexpected company. A knock at the door revealed Silas, looking better than he had in weeks, though his eye still showed fading bruises.

“What happened?” I asked, noting the multiple injuries that definitely hadn’t come from his father,

“Nothing,” he replied, a strange half–smile playing on his lips.

He seemed oddly cheerful, almost giddy. His hand kept patting his pocket, as if checking that something was still there.

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Chapter 289

“Do you have something for me?” I asked directly.

Silas hesitated, then reached into his pocket and pulled out a small velvet box. For you,‘ he said, holding it out,

Inside lay a delicate silver bracelet, simple but well–crafted.

“Is this what your part–time job paid for? I asked, examining the bracelet. What kind of job?

Silas shifted uncomfortably. “Underground fighting. Five thousand a match.”

My expression darkened. ‘You have quite the collection of money–making schemes.”

He fell silent, avoiding my gaze.

“Don’t go back,” I said, turning toward the door. “With your skills, it’s suicide.”

“Okay, Silas agreed quickly, following me inside with a hopeful expression.

Max came downstairs dressed for our Haxton mansion visit, then stopped short when he saw me teaching Silas how to navigate a complex database on my laptop.

“Sis, we should get going,” he said, glancing between us.

“Go with Zach instead,” I replied without looking up.

Max’s face fell. He looked at Silas, then back at me. “I’m heading back to campus,” he said flatly before walking out.

“Is everything okay?” Silas asked after the door closed.

“He wanted me to go with him to see Ethan Haxton,” I said dispassionately, grabbing a blanket and stretching out on the sofa. “If you have questions, ask. I’m resting my eyes.”

“Got it,” he murmured, typing quietly.

I dozed off to the gentle tapping of keys, the afternoon sun warming my face through the window. In my half–sleep, I felt Silas’s gaze on me, lingering longer than it should have.

When I woke, the apartment was dimming with twilight. Something smelled good. I found Silas in the kitchen, stirring a pot of what looked like homemade stew.

“You’re cooking?” I asked, rubbing sleep from my eyes.

“I sent your regular chef home,” he explained, turning to face me. “I learned from my mother.”

I nodded, heading to the bathroom to splash water on my face. When I returned, Silas had set the table, complete with a bottle of red

wine.

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8:18 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 289

“The presentation isn’t great, but it should taste decent,” he said, serving two steaming bowls..

I took a seat, genuinely impressed by the spread. As I looked at the dishes, a thought occurred to me.

“Do you drink?” I asked, getting up.

“Sometimes, he replied.

I’ll get us some wine,‘ I said, walking to the cabinet where I kept my alcohol. I returned with a bottle and opener, setting them on the table before realizing, “Damn, forgot the glasses…”

I’ll go get them, Silas offered quickly, rising from his seat.

We ate in comfortable silence. The food was not bad. I found myself taking second helpings.

“Any therapy sessions scheduled for tomorrow?” I asked between bites.

Silas nodded. “Four o’clock.”

“Take your time, no need to rush,” I said. “That guy’s a professional, he knows what he’s doing.”

All your friends are quite impressive,” Silas said, looking thoughtful.

I continued eating, unaware that with each bite, my vision was beginning to blur slightly.

I reached for my glass, but my hand missed by inches. Something was wrong. Very wrong.

“Silas, I managed, my head spinning. “What did you-”

My face hit the table before I could finish the question. As consciousness faded, I caught Silas’s expression–completely calm, watching me with clinical detachment as I collapsed.

When I came to, I was seated in the living room, professional–grade handcuffs binding my wrists. Silas sat across from me, dangling a pocket watch before my eyes.

“Tell me, what is your name?” His voice echoed eerily in the vast living room, floating ghostlike through the air.

‘Jade… Morgan.”

“What is your brother’s name?”

“Max… Morgan.”

“What is Chris Jensen to you?”

“A… friend.”

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8:18 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 289

“Did you kill the Ace of Spades and King of Hearts?”

“Yes…”

Silas leaned closer. “Who do you love? Tell me.”

I remained silent, as if struggling to find an answer.

“Why do you oppose the Shadow Organization?” he pressed.

“Shadow…” I whispered.

“Tell me, where is Shadow?”

I lifted my gaze, letting a mischievous smile spread across my face. “You guess.”

Silas froze as our eyes met, mine fully alert and cold as ice. Horror flashed across his face as he realized his hypnosis had failed.

Before he could react, my foot connected with his chest, sending him crashing into the wall. I heard the distinct crack of ribs breaking. Silas gasped in pain, struggling to his knees.

I snapped my thumb out of joint, slipping free of the handcuffs with practiced ease, then quickly reset the bone with a wince.

“When did you figure it out?” Silas wheezed, clutching his chest. He seemed genuinely shocked. “That’s impossible. I never slipped. I was perfect.” He coughed, a trickle of blood appearing at the corner of his mouth. “Was it Chris? Did he suspect something during the therapy?”

“The moment you appeared,” I replied coldly, advancing toward him.

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