Badass in Disguise Chapter 191

I sat in my temporary bedroom at Lawrence's mansion, feeling the medication slowly working its way through my system. My vision was still frustratingly blurry, but at least I could make out shapes and shadows now—an improvement from total darkness.

"You need to take your next dose," Ethan said, appearing in the doorway.

I turned toward his voice, making out his tall silhouette against the lighter background of the hallway. "Playing nurse now, Mr. Haxton?"

"Someone has to," he replied, approaching with measured steps. "Since Zach is still recovering from his injuries and you need daily treatment, Lawrence suggested you stay here for a while. He's given me the room next door."

"How convenient," I remarked dryly, accepting the glass he handed me. I downed the bitter medicine in one gulp, fighting the urge to grimace.

Ethan settled into an armchair across from me. "Do you need help with anything? Shower, maybe?"

I raised an eyebrow, a smirk playing on my lips. "Are you offering to help me shower?"

I heard him shift in his seat, clearing his throat. "I meant... I could bring you clothes, prepare the bathroom. The usual caretaker stuff."

"Relax," I said, leaning back against the cushions. "Lawrence has staff for that. The maid already helped me this morning."

Ethan stayed silent for a moment, and I could sense him watching me. The Doberman, Zach, rested his head on my foot, his warmth reassuring.

"Did you save my number in your new phone?" Ethan asked suddenly.

"Hmm?" I was half-dozing, the medicine making me drowsy.

"Your new phone," he repeated. "Did you save my contact information?"

I turned my head toward his voice. "No."

"So when you called me yesterday..." There was something careful in his tone. "You remembered my number?"

I nodded slightly. "I did."

He fell quiet, and I heard him pick up what sounded like my laptop. "Your school counselor emailed you," he said, changing the subject. "Something about missing assignments."

I groaned. "Can't exactly do PowerPoint presentations when I'm blind."

"You've missed several group projects already," he continued. "The email says you're at risk of failing if you don't submit something soon."

"Tough shit," I muttered. "Not like I can see to do the work."

"I could help," Ethan offered. "What are the assignments?"

"You want to do my homework?" I asked incredulously.

"Why not?" His voice was casual. "You already know the material, right? The assignments are just to prove you won't fail the class. I can handle that."

I considered his offer. "Free labor? I'm not about to refuse."

"What did you study in college?" I asked as he typed away on the laptop.

"Economics, with a minor in law," he replied. "Though I was rarely on campus."

"When did you graduate?"

"I got my degree at fifteen," he said casually. "Spent most of my time working remotely while traveling with my father."

I heard his phone buzz. He answered it briefly, his voice shifting into business mode. "Not now, Connor. I'm busy."

There was a pause as he listened.

"Tell them I'm doing homework," Ethan said firmly, then hung up. "The first half of the board meeting will be handled by Alexander. Please prepare accordingly."

I dozed off to the sound of his typing, the medicine finally pulling me under. When I woke, the room was darker, and the typing had stopped.

"Ethan?" I called softly.

"Still here," he replied from across the room. "Finished two of your presentations. I'm working on the third now."

"I need to shower," I announced, standing carefully. The dog immediately rose with me, pressing against my leg. "I'll be back in a bit."

I managed to navigate to the bathroom with the dog's help and the increasing clarity of my vision. When I emerged twenty minutes later, I was wearing a cream-colored nightgown the maid had laid out for me—a change from my usual practical clothing.

I returned to the bedroom, my damp hair hanging loose around my shoulders.

"That was fast," Ethan commented, looking up from his work.

"I'm efficient," I replied, settling back on the couch. The dog jumped up beside me, his head resting on my lap.

I could feel Ethan's gaze lingering. "What?" I asked.

"Nothing," he said quickly. "I've just never seen you in a dress before."

I ran a hand self-consciously over the soft material. "It's a nightgown, not a ballgown. Don't make it weird."

"I'm not," he defended. "You look nice, that's all." He cleared his throat. "I finished your assignments and sent them to your professors. Your academic standing should be safe for now."

"You have water on your ear," he said, his voice suddenly much nearer.

Before I could respond, I felt his fingertips brush against my earlobe, gently wiping away a droplet. The touch was brief but sent an unexpected shiver down my spine.

"Thanks," I murmured, unsure why my heart rate had picked up.

We were interrupted by a knock at the door. Lawrence poked his head in, his eyes taking in the scene.

"Am I interrupting?" he asked, a hint of amusement in his voice.

"No," I replied quickly.

Lawrence's cat slipped into the room, leaping onto the couch beside me. The dog raised his head, eyeing the feline warily.

"I'm taking the menagerie for their evening constitutional," Lawrence explained. "Thought I'd check if you needed anything."

"We're fine," Ethan answered.

Lawrence's gaze flickered between us, a knowing smile on his lips. "You know, one room would have been sufficient," he commented before retreating, closing the door behind him.

I felt my face warm slightly. "He's impossible," I muttered.

After a moment of silence, I stood up decisively. "I've been cooped up in here for days. Let's go out."

"Are you sure that's safe?" Ethan asked, concern evident in his voice.

"I need fresh air. Besides, Selene isn't in Spain anymore—she was hurt worse than she let on. Shadow Organization knows I'm here with Lawrence; they're not going to waste resources watching me. They're regrouping, waiting for me back home."

Ethan considered this. "Alright," he agreed. "Where do you want to go?"

"Just outside," I said.

I changed into casual clothes with the maid's help, and soon Ethan and I were walking down the grand staircase. The Doberman saw me heading for the door and bounded over, determined to join us.

"Looks like we have a companion," Ethan observed as the dog jumped into Connor's car, settling in the passenger seat and refusing to budge.

"He's protective," I explained, sliding into the backseat beside Ethan.

Connor drove us into the city, to a bustling street lined with cafés and shops. When we stopped, Ethan got out first, then came around to open my door. His hand gripped my elbow gently as I stepped out, his other hand moving to shield my head from the car frame.

"Careful," he murmured, close to my ear.

We walked slowly down the street, Ethan describing the scenery. "There's a fountain ahead, carved stone, probably eighteenth century. Street performers to the left—a guitarist and a dancer. The buildings here are all old, traditional Spanish architecture with intricate ironwork on the balconies."

I could make out most of what he described, but his voice made the images clearer somehow. The dog walked ahead of us, occasionally looking back to ensure we were following.

"The street was busy with people," Ethan commented. "There's a young couple just ahead of us - the guy has his arm around her shoulders, and she's leaning into him as they walk."

As we passed by them, I could make out their blurred silhouettes and hear their soft murmurs of affection. Ethan's hand, which had been holding my elbow to guide me, slid down to catch my hand. His fingers intertwined with mine naturally, as if we'd held hands a hundred times before.