Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 298

Chapter 298

D:

Jade’s POV:

The driver introduced himself as Miguel and pulled away from the curb, his tires kicking up dust. “You know, that place isn’t for tourists. Especially not pretty American girls traveling alone.”

“I’m not a tourist,” I replied, watching the small town’s buildings thin out as we headed toward the outskirts.

Miguel kept stealing glances at me. “Business then?” His tone suggested he had his own ideas about what kind of “business” a young woman might have at a fighting club.

I stared out the window, ignoring his implications. “Something like that.”

“Are you with the club? Because I’ve lived here twelve years and never seen you around.”

“The guy who runs that fighting club, I think he’s American too,” Miguel said, clearly trying to establish some connection. ‘You know him?”

I turned slightly toward him. “What do you mean by ‘I think‘?”

Miguel shrugged, navigating around a pothole. “They’re pretty mysterious, you know? Been here twelve years and still haven’t figured them out. The club gets busy every night. Winners get big money, but then…” he lowered his voice dramatically, “I never see those winners again. Poof! Gone.”

Our conversation was interrupted as a black 4×4 approached from the opposite direction. Miguel immediately perked up, leaning his head out the window.

“Hey man, where’d you get that sweet new ride?” he shouted.

The driver of the black SUV – a younger guy with a scraggly beard and sunglasses – leaned out his window with a smug grin. “Some poor bastard’s bad luck!”

Miguel laughed. “You dog! Tell me about it later, I’ve got a fare.”

As he pulled his head back in, I studied his profile. “Friend of yours?”

“Coworker,” Miguel replied, still grinning.

The SUV continued on its way – my SUV, to be precise. I felt a cold anger building but kept my expression neutral. We bounced along the unpaved road, Miguel seemingly enjoying the desert drive.

“So what’s your connection to the club?” he pressed again.

“I don’t know if I have a connection to the club yet,” I said, watching his hands on the steering wheel. But I definitely have a connection to your coworker’s new car.”

“Huh?” He turned toward me, confusion evident on his face.

I didn’t hesitate. My hand shot out, grabbing his head and smashing it hard against the steering wheel. His nose broke with a satisfying

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8:20 Tue, Sep 30

Chapter 298

crunch, and he slumped forward, dazed and bleeding.

Before he could recover, I reached across him, opened the driver’s door, and shoved him out with a brutal kick. He tumbled onto the sand with a pained groan.

“Congratulations on being today’s unlucky bastard,‘ I called as I slammed the door shut and took control of the vehicle.

Twenty minutes later, I parked a safe distance from a weathered concrete building at the edge of town. No signs announced its purpose, but the reinforced door and small, high windows told me everything I needed to know. This was the fighting club.

Inside, the place was nearly deserted. A single ring dominated the center of the space, surrounded by rickety chairs and tables. The smell of sweat, blood, and disinfectant hung in the air. A bored–looking man cleaned glasses behind a makeshift bar, while two others swept the floor around the ring.

I ordered a beer I had no intention of drinking and positioned myself in a dark corner, watching. After about an hour of nothing interesting, I noticed movement on a metal staircase leading to a second floor. Two men descended, deep in conversation. I shifted slightly to hear them better.

“We’re recruiting as many as possible,” the taller one said, his voice low but urgent. “After what happened in New York and Princeton, we need to rebuild quickly.”

The second man nodded. “AS and KH are confirmed dead. Shadow team lost several members too.”

“Someone’s targeting us systematically. The higher–ups think it might be payback from Shadow’s last failed mission.”

I nearly smiled at that.