Badass in Disguise Chapter 186

The noise was deafening—helicopter blades slicing through air, creating a constant whirring that made conversation nearly impossible. I pressed the phone harder against my ear, straining to hear Ethan's voice on the other end.

"You're in a helicopter?" Ethan's voice barely cut through the noise.

"Yeah, borrowed it from Colonel Edwards," I shouted back, my eyes fixed on the laptop screen in front of me, where a small red dot pulsed steadily.

"What happened? Where are you?"

I shifted in the uncomfortable seat. "Ryan tracked the van to the outskirts. Found it abandoned with blood all over the seats." My jaw clenched involuntarily. "They left in a hurry. The grass nearby was flattened—helicopter landing pattern. They airlifted Zach out."

"And you're following them?"

"Max's watch signal is still moving. Whoever has it keeps changing direction." I glanced at the pilot, a stone-faced military man Tristan had assigned to me. "There's a military base near where I found the van. Colonel Edwards happened to be there, so I asked for a favor."

"Tristan was there too?"

"Convenient, right? He even lent me a pilot and this laptop." I tapped the military-grade computer tracking the signal.

"Where are they heading?" Ethan's voice grew fainter beneath the helicopter noise.

"Not sure yet." I watched the signal's erratic movement. "Listen, I can't hear you. I'll text."

I hung up and quickly typed: [How's my brother?]

Ethan's response came seconds later: [Multiple soft tissue contusions. No broken bones. Doctor says he'll recover completely in about a week.]

Relief washed through me. [Take care of him for me? And have someone retrieve my car.]

[Where are you now? I'm coming to you.]

I smiled grimly at his persistence. [I'll tell you when I'm sure. The signal keeps changing.]

[Jade, this is clearly a trap.]

[Don't worry.]

I tucked the phone away and focused on the tracking system. Three hours passed before the helicopter needed to refuel. By then, the signal had crossed into a different flight path entirely.

---

The pursuit continued for two days and one night. I changed helicopters twice, borrowed a private jet once, and finally realized we had crossed the U.S. border. The signal finally stopped moving in western Spain.

"Cute," I muttered, raising an eyebrow. "They really know how to pick their locations."

I pulled out my phone and dialed a number I hadn't used for years.

"Lawrence?" I said when the call connected. "Long time no see. I need a favor."

---

Six hours later, I was on another private jet, courtesy of Night's black card.

My phone rang as we began our descent. Lawrence's name flashed on the screen.

"My men found the watch," he said without preamble. "Bloody, discarded in an alley. No sign of your friend."

"Shit," I muttered. "Any leads?"

"There have been reports of strangers in the border region these past two days. My people are searching, but it's a challenge. This area isn't exactly friendly to outsiders asking questions."

"I appreciate it, Lawrence."

---

The alley where they'd discarded the watch was narrow and filthy, tucked between crumbling buildings in what could generously be called the less touristy part of town. Blood speckled the cobblestones—not enough to indicate a fatal wound, but enough to know Zach hadn't gone quietly.

I surveyed the slums stretching out around me. Densely packed, low buildings sprawled in every direction, home to thousands of people living on top of each other in poverty. Finding anyone here would be like finding a specific grain of sand on a beach.

Unless Shadow Organization wanted to be found.

They needed Zach alive as leverage against me, which was the only comfort in this situation. But physical torture was definitely on the table, and Zach wasn't the type to sit quietly and cooperate.

Locals eyed me suspiciously as I walked through the narrow streets. I caught snippets of their whispered conversations.

"Duke Linden's people are looking for someone."

"I hope it doesn't involve us."

"They say it's outsiders they're looking for."

"Thank God."

I pulled out my phone as it vibrated with an incoming call.

"Have you arrived?" Lawrence asked.

"Yes. At the location you mentioned."

"Would you like me to come get you? This isn't the safest neighborhood."

"I'll be fine." I scanned the dilapidated buildings. "Any news?"

"Not yet. You know, I could find your friend for you. This person must be very important to you."

"Why else would I fly halfway around the world?"

Lawrence chuckled. "Perhaps to visit me? I've helped you, so may I make a request? It's been so long—won't you finally let me see your true face? Last time you came to Crystal Vault, my staff described a beautiful young woman, but their description doesn't match the image I've had of you. Seemed younger."

I almost smiled. Lawrence Linden, owner of Crystal Vault, the international jewelry empire. He lost it to me in a bet years ago. Before I disappeared due to Shadow Organization's genetic harvesting operation, I returned Crystal Vault to him.

"Find my friend first, then we'll talk."

"I'll take that as a promise, then."

---

I found a dingy bar and settled in at a corner table. Shadow Organization wanted me to chase them like a headless chicken. I refused to give them the satisfaction. If they wanted me, they knew where to find me.

The bartender eyed me suspiciously as I ordered a drink. My phone buzzed with Ethan's name on the screen.

"Where are you now?" he asked immediately.

"Somewhere with terrible cell reception," I deflected.

"Jade, I've been trying to reach you for hours. Where are you? I'll come to you."

The bar door opened, and three men in practical, worn clothing entered. Their eyes locked on me immediately. Lawrence's men.

"I need to go," I told Ethan and hung up.

The leader approached my table, his eyes suspicious as he examined this stranger in their territory.

'You're not from around here,' he said in accented English, more statement than question. 'What's your business in this neighborhood?'

I took another sip of my drink, assessing him and the two men flanking him. Lawrence's men, judging by their disciplined stance.

I pulled out my phone and dialed Lawrence. The leader's eyes narrowed as I put the call on speaker.

'Lawrence, your men are quite thorough with their questioning.'

There was a pause on the other end. 'Ah, they've found you. Good.'

The leader's expression changed immediately, a mix of surprise and newfound respect crossing his features.

"You can call off your men. I'm fine."

"Have you found your friend?"

"No. I'm waiting for them to find me."

"I see. Contact me if you need anything."

The leader placed a small medallion on my table. "This will grant you safe passage in this area. No one will bother you if they see it."

I nodded my thanks, and they departed as quickly as they'd arrived.

---

The hotel room wasn't much better than the bar, but it had a functioning shower and a relatively clean bed. I called Max on video chat, needing to see his face.

"How are you feeling?" I asked as his image appeared on screen.

"Like I got hit by a truck," he said, attempting a smile despite the bruising on his face. "Nothing serious though."

"Your face doesn't look like 'nothing serious.'"

"Says the person who's apparently off on some dangerous rescue mission." Max's eyes narrowed. "Jade, come home. Let Ethan help you. Ryan says these people are targeting you specifically. It's too dangerous."

"I can handle myself."

"You're always saying that!" Max's voice rose, then he winced from the effort. "Sorry. It's just... Ethan's really worried. He hasn't left the hospital."

"Hospital? I thought you were at home."

"He insisted on proper monitoring." Max shifted the phone, and suddenly Ethan's face appeared in the frame.

He looked tired, with faint shadows under his eyes. "You look terrible," I told him.

"Thanks." His mouth quirked into something almost resembling a smile. "Be careful out there."

I nodded.