Badass in Disguise Chapter 161

The SUV crawled through the broken streets of Crimson Valley, tires crunching over scattered debris. Jade sat in the back with Night while Ethan and Connor occupied the front seats. Chris followed in another vehicle, maintaining a careful distance.

Night leaned toward Jade, his breath warm against her ear. "Baby, I've been thinking," he said, voice low and intimate. "Why don't we take action tonight? I'll go tear apart that drug cartel's territory, and you can blow up the arms dealer's compound. With that much chaos, I bet our mystery master will have to show his face." He stretched his arm across her shoulders. "This shithole is getting on my nerves. The sooner we finish, the sooner you can join me for that vacation in Russia."

Connor's head whipped around so fast Jade thought he might give himself whiplash. "Blow up what?" he sputtered. "You want to blow up their territory? The arms dealers?"

Night fixed him with a cold stare. "And who the fuck asked for your opinion?"

Connor immediately turned back to the road, frantically trying to catch Ethan's attention. "Mr. Haxton, sir—"

Ethan didn't respond. His gaze remained fixed ahead.

Jade shrugged Night's arm off. "Let's wait and see what happens tonight."

Night pouted but didn't press further.

---

The explosions started just after midnight.

Jade was sitting on the edge of the bed in her room when the first blast shook the windows. Within seconds, ten, twelve, fifteen more followed in rapid succession, their echoes reverberating through Crimson Valley like thunder.

Night bolted upright from where he'd been lounging, a gleeful smile spreading across his face. "Damn, baby! When did you plant those bombs? Why didn't you invite me along for the fun?"

"I didn't do this," Jade said, moving to the window. The night sky glowed orange with distant fires, illuminating the low clouds with an eerie light.

Chris burst through the door without knocking, his usually immaculate appearance slightly disheveled. "Scorpio territory," he confirmed, slightly out of breath. "Someone just hit at least a dozen of their gambling dens simultaneously."

Night's eyes narrowed with suspicion. "The military strategist in me is impressed. The jealous friend in me is wondering who's stealing our thunder." He turned to Ethan, who had appeared silently in the doorway. "It's getting dark. Shouldn't you be leaving? Or are you planning to spend the night?"

Ethan's gaze slid from Night to Jade, his expression unreadable. "I'll leave when Jade asks me to."

Jade ignored both of them, focusing on the orange glow in the distance.

---

In the Scorpio family's headquarters, Loki received the news with a calm that unnerved his subordinates.

"Twelve casinos hit simultaneously," reported a man with a fresh cut across his cheek. "Military precision. They're claiming it was the arms dealer's people."

Loki nodded slowly, though knowing it was not. "I'll inform the family about these developments, along with Marcus's unfortunate demise. Suggest everyone lie low for a while."

*Better to let them burn. We can rebuild, and all of this can be blamed on Marcus. First the auction house, now the casinos. His incompetence was staggering. The family won't miss him much.*

"But sir," the man protested, his voice rising with indignation. "They've struck at the heart of our territory! We must retaliate, show them Scorpio's strength—"

The words died in his throat as Loki's hand shot out, gripping the man's windpipe with devastating pressure. The subordinate's eyes bulged as Loki slowly stood, maintaining his grip.

"However lowborn I might be, I still carry the Scorpio name. Who are you to dictate our family's response?" He tightened his grip, watching dispassionately as the man's face turned purple.

When the man finally went limp, Loki released him, letting the body crumple to the floor. He straightened his jacket and addressed the remaining men, who stood frozen in horror.

"Clean this up. And spread the word—I want no unauthorized retaliation."

---

"Baby, let's find somewhere else to stay tonight," Night whined, draping himself dramatically across the bed. "I haven't slept properly for days. Look at these dark circles." He moved closer, batting his eyelashes at Jade. "See? Look how exhausted I am."

"Get the fuck away from me," Jade muttered, shoving his face back.

A knock at the door interrupted Night's theatrics. Maverick stood outside, his weathered face creased in a cautious smile.

"I'd like to offer you folks more suitable accommodations," he said, his eyes darting between Night and Jade. "Given the recent excitement, it seems prudent to relocate you."

Night immediately straightened, his playful demeanor vanishing. "How convenient," he said coldly. "Explosions rock Scorpio territory, and suddenly you're offering us shelter. Why the hospitality, old man? Did your people blow up those Scorpio casinos?"

Maverick's eye twitched almost imperceptibly. "Uh... it was an accident. A misunderstanding. You burned down their auction house, we blew up their casinos. Makes us something like allies, doesn't it? Care to be friends?"

Night snorted. "Everyone wants to be our friend these days. How do I know you're not setting us up? Seems suspicious, you showing up now. Maybe you heard we were planning to blow up your territory next?"

Maverick's eyes widened. "Excuse me?"

Jade moved toward the door, brushing past Maverick without acknowledging his shock. "Let's go."

"Baby, wait—" Night called after her.

Jade didn't break stride. "Didn't you say you wanted to change locations?"

"Please," Maverick said, regaining his composure as he gestured to Night and Chris. His eyes lingered respectfully on Ethan, who had remained silent throughout the exchange, offering him a slight nod of deference.

---

Maverick led them to a compound at the edge of his territory—a cluster of small but clean buildings surrounded by armed guards. The contrast with their previous accommodations was stark.

"I hope these quarters will suffice," Maverick said, showing them the last of four separate rooms. "I've arranged for private security and meals to be delivered."

With a respectful nod, Maverick left them to settle into their new surroundings.

After leaving his guests, Maverick found Sloane waiting anxiously at the command center of their compound.

"Is it true, sir?" Sloane asked eagerly, eyes bright with anticipation. "Is Mr. Haxton really here in Crimson Valley? I could bring him breakfast tomorrow."

"You'll do no such thing," Maverick replied firmly. "The last thing he needs is your fawning attention causing complications."

---

At eleven that night, Jade heard Ethan's door open. Seconds later, Night's door creaked open as well. She moved silently to her own door, cracking it just enough to observe.

Ethan stood in the hallway, dressed in the same clothes from earlier. Night leaned against his doorframe, arms crossed, a smirk playing on his lips.

"Midnight stroll?" Night asked. "Perhaps you could borrow one of the arms dealer's guard dogs for protection. I hear they're very effective at keeping unwanted company away."

"I'd suggest you take one yourself, but they might mistake you for a fire hydrant."

Night pushed off from the doorframe, his posture shifting from casual to threatening. "You want to say that again?"

Jade pushed her door open wider, leaning against the frame. Both men immediately froze, their heads snapping in her direction.

"I couldn't sleep," Ethan said quickly, his voice softening. "Thought I'd get some air." Without waiting for a response, he walked away, disappearing down the corridor.

Night immediately changed his demeanor, his shoulders slumping. "Baby, I'm sorry. But he started it."

Without a word, Jade headed to the stairs.

"Where are you going?" Night asked.

"Out for a bit," she replied. "Don't follow me."

She made her way directly to the drug lord's compound, avoiding the increased patrols triggered by the casino bombings. The route was familiar now—she'd been here with Ethan just days before. She slipped past the guards with practiced ease and headed straight for the cellar where she and Ethan had hidden.

The cellar was cool and dark, smelling of earth and preserved vegetables. Jade settled onto a crate and waited.

It didn't take long. Footsteps approached. The door creaked open...