Badass in Disguise (Shadow) novel Chapter 359

Chapter 359

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You’re with him. Selene instructed, nodding toward Zach. “Take down Shadow.”

You can’t possibly escape, SPECTER warned, his fingers drumming on the armrest of his throne. This entire complex is on lockdown. Even if you somehow make it past this room, there are hundreds of operatives between you and freedom.”

Wraith shrugged. “Were going to die either way. Might as well blow this hellhole to pieces before we go.”

“Wishful thinking, SPECTER sneered. ‘Let’s see what’s faster–your feet or bullets.” He raised his voice, addressing the room. “Kill them

all! No mercy!”

The remaining bodyguards and assassins drew their weapons, an orchestra of clicks as safeties were disengaged and rounds chambered. Dozens of gun barrels pointed at our small group, promising a swift and brutal end.

None of us moved. We didn’t even flinch.

SPECTER’s eyes narrowed as realization dawned on him. He opened his mouth, perhaps to countermand his order, but it was too late.

The guards pulled their triggers in unison.

Instead of gunfire, the room filled with screams as weapons exploded in their hands, mangling fingers and shattering bones. Blood sprayed from dozens of mutilated palms.

As the head of Shadow Organization’s weapons division, Wraith had access to every piece of equipment–and ample opportunity to modify them. Even after being removed from his position following Selene’s return, he’d still found ways to sabotage these weapons.

“My turn,” Wraith said, the corners of his mouth twitching upward as he fired another rocket at SPECTER.

This time, there were fewer bodyguards to intercept it. The explosion rocked the room, filling it with dust and debris.

And just like that, all hell broke loose.

Selene and Wraith engaged the clone in a coordinated attack, their movements perfectly synchronized from years of working together. Meanwhile, Zach and I fought back–to–back against the remaining guards and assassins.

I tried to break through to SPECTER, but his remaining guards formed an impenetrable wall around him. For every one I took down, two more seemed to appear.

Blood flowed freely as our small group fought against overwhelming odds. We were all taking hits–Zach was bleeding from a slash across his cheek, and even Wraith’s mechanical arm was sparking from damage.

Through the chaos, I caught glimpses of Selene and Wraith finally gaining the upper hand against the clone. With a perfectly executed maneuver, Wraith pinned the clone’s arms while Selene moved in for the kill.

“No! Don’t kill her!” Zach’s desperate cry rang out across the room.

But Wraith didn’t hesitate. His mechanical hand closed around the clone’s throat, crushing her windpipe with a sickening crunch.

The clone’s body collapsed to the floor, her eyes staring blankly at the ceiling.

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10.39 Tue, Oct 7

Chapter 359

Zach broke away from the fight, rushing toward the fallen clone with a howl of anguish that cut through the sounds of battle.

“Boss Boss!” He fell to his knees beside her, his hands hovering over her body as if afraid to touch her. “No, no, no…”

He was so distraught that he didn’t even notice an assassin approaching from behind, knife raised for a killing blow.

I lunged forward, driving my knife into the assassin’s throat before he could reach Zach. Blood sprayed across my face as I twisted the blade and yanked it free.

S

“Kid!” I grabbed Zach’s shoulders, forcing him to look at me. His eyes were wild, unfocused, swimming with tears. I shook him hard. “Look clearly, I am your boss, she’s just a clone!”

His gaze locked with mine, recognition slowly filtering through the haze of grief. He stared into my eyes–Shadow’s eyes.

…Boss? Clone?” he whispered, his voice breaking.