Badass in Disguise Chapter 266

Author's POV:

"Ethan Haxton!" Night's voice bellowed from the hallway. "Get your ass out here right now!"

And he was furious.

"Ethan Haxton!" Night shouted again, followed by what sounded like the butt of a gun hammering against Jade's door. "I swear to God, if you don't come out, I'm going to put a bullet in that pretty face of yours!"

Chris tried to reason with Night. "Take it easy. You're going to tear your stitches again."

"Fuck the stitches," Night growled. "Darling," his voice suddenly softened with deadly sarcasm, "if you don't open this door in the next five seconds, I'm going to kick it down."

"Get ready," Night commanded someone outside. She heard heavy footsteps as one of Night's men positioned himself to kick the door.

With a sigh, Jade stood up and walked over just as the man was about to swing his leg. She yanked the door open, fixing him with an expressionless stare.

"Really making a scene, aren't you?" she said flatly. "Were you planning on keeping that leg?"

The man backed away instantly, nearly tripping over himself.

Night stood in the doorway, his face flushed with rage, a gun hanging loosely in his right hand. Chris Jensen stood behind him, looking more resigned than concerned.

Ethan appeared at Jade's shoulder, adjusting the cuffs of his perfectly pressed shirt.

"You wanted to see me, Night?" he asked politely.

Night's eyes blazed as he raised his gun, pointing it directly at Ethan's face. "I should fucking kill you right now."

"Night," Jade warned, but he was beyond listening.

His finger moved to the trigger, and he fired.

Jade reacted instinctively, shoving his arm upward. The bullet buried itself in the ceiling, raining down plaster dust.

In one fluid motion, she twisted the gun from his grasp, ejecting the magazine and clearing the chamber with practiced ease.

"Have you lost your mind?" she demanded, tossing the empty gun to Chris, who caught it reflexively.

Night didn't even seem to notice the loss of his weapon. His focus remained entirely on Ethan, who hadn't so much as flinched when the gun went off.

"We didn't do anything," Jade said firmly.

Chris stepped forward, placing a hand on Night's shoulder. "See? Told you. What could they possibly do in broad daylight?"

Night shrugged off Chris's hand, his eyes never leaving Ethan's face.

"You lied to me," Night snarled at Ethan. "You told me she was in Siwa Oasis, northwest corner. That's the complete opposite direction of where you actually were. Do you know how long I spent searching for her? Two fucking months. I was out of my mind with worry."

Ethan remained silent, his face a mask of composure.

"The only reason I didn't put a bullet in your skull the minute I found out is because she was injured," Night continued, gesturing toward Jade without looking away from Ethan. "And because you did save her. But if you think that buys you the right to pursue her romantically while I was going out of my mind with worry—"

"Night," Jade interrupted, but he ignored her.

"Let me make something perfectly clear," Night said, his voice dropping to a dangerous whisper. "There are three of us in this circle—Shadow, Chris, and me. You don't get to be part of that. I don't like you. I don't welcome you. And if you don't stay away from her, I can't guarantee what might happen to you."

Ethan met Night's gaze without wavering. The air between them crackled with tension.

"Did you hear what I said?" Night demanded.

"Every word," Ethan replied calmly.

Night took a menacing step forward, but suddenly winced and grabbed his thigh. A dark stain spread across the bandage visible through his torn pants. His wound had reopened.

"Shit," Chris muttered, moving forward to support Night as he swayed slightly. "I told you not to get worked up."

Chris hoisted Night over his shoulder in a fireman's carry, ignoring Night's protests.

"Put me down, you bastard!" Night shouted, pounding on Chris's back.

"Save your strength for when the doctor arrives," Chris replied, carrying Night down the hallway toward his room.

---

Twenty minutes later, Jade heard shouting from Night's room. The doctor had arrived, but from the sound of it, Night wasn't being a cooperative patient.

She knocked on the door and entered without waiting for a response. Night was lying on the bed, his face contorted in pain as he clutched his bleeding thigh. The doctor stood nearby, looking exasperated, while Chris leaned against the wall with his arms crossed.

"He won't let the doctor touch him," Chris explained when he saw her. "The idiot would rather bleed out than get treatment." He raised his voice slightly.

Night glared at him. "You were supposed to keep an eye on Haxton. What happened to that?"

"I did keep an eye on him," Chris replied. "He's been a perfect gentleman."

"Get out!" Night snapped.

Chris pushed himself off the wall and headed for the door.

"Where the hell are you going?" Night demanded.

"To buy you a crutch," Chris replied without turning around. "Any style preferences? No? I'll choose based on what suits you best, Limpy."

Night grabbed a pillow and hurled it at Chris's back as he left the room.

Jade approached the bed, pulling on a pair of latex gloves from the medical kit.

"Doctor, you can go," she told the relieved-looking physician. "I'll handle this."

As soon as they were alone, Night's demeanor changed completely. "Darling, it hurts so bad," he whined, his face suddenly the picture of misery.

Jade ignored his performance, focusing on examining the wound. The stitches had torn, and fresh blood was seeping through the bandage.

"You're going to need new stitches," she said, her voice clinical and detached.

Night's hand reached for hers. "I'm sorry about earlier. I shouldn't have lost my temper."

She cleaned the wound silently, her movements precise and efficient.

"Don't be mad at me," he pleaded. "Look how badly I'm injured already. I've been punished enough. I was just worried. Finding him in your room with the door locked, and him adjusting his clothes... I thought he might have taken advantage of you."

She remained silent, focusing on preparing the needle.

Night looked genuinely distressed now. "Promise me there's nothing between you and Haxton, and I'll treat him like any other guest. I won't target him anymore."

If Night knew that Ethan and Jade had not only connected emotionally but that Ethan had been applying medication to her back every night, had helped her unbutton her underwear, and that half the nutritional soup Night had prepared for her had gone to Ethan... he would probably have a stroke on the spot.

She finally looked at him.

Seeing her attention, Night's eyes filled with hopeful expectation.

"How's your arm?" she asked, changing the subject.

"It hurts," he admitted, then quickly added, "You still haven't promised me."

After she finished treating Night's wound, Jade left the room without another word and headed downstairs.

---

Ethan was waiting in the grand foyer, speaking quietly with one of his men.

"The weapons have arrived," he told her as she approached. "Would you like to see them? I can have them brought in."

Jade nodded, then turned to Chris. "Go check if they brought all the explosive materials I requested."

Chris raised an eyebrow but headed outside without comment.

As soon as they were alone, Ethan took two steps closer to her. "How's Night's wound?"

"You're asking about the man who just tried to kill you?"

"Not really concerned about him," Ethan admitted. "More concerned about how it affects you."

"So you just stood there and let him threaten you?"

"His words don't bother me," Ethan said with a small smile. "And from where I stand, I've already won. That's the reality of the situation."

He reached for her hand, which she'd unconsciously tucked into her pocket. He gently pulled it out and held it in his.

"We don't need to argue with him about this now. There are dangers lurking all around this villa." His thumb traced circles on her palm. "We'll deal with Shadow Organization first. Everything else can wait."

Jade studied his face, impressed by his patience and perspective. After a moment, she changed the subject. "How are you feeling?"

Ethan nodded slightly. "I feel lighter now. I think I'll sleep well tonight."

She heard footsteps approaching from outside. Their moment of privacy was about to end.

"So, you are really okay?" she asked quickly.

"You care about how I feel," Ethan replied softly. "That's enough for me."

"You're easy to please," she remarked.

"Am I?" he asked with a hint of mischief. "What if I said I did feel hurt? Would I get some comfort?"

Jade gave him a deadpan look.

"I guess not," he said with mock disappointment.

Footsteps grew louder outside. Their time was running out.

"Kiss me now, or we'll have company," she said suddenly.

Ethan blinked in surprise, then quickly leaned down and pressed his lips to her cheek.