:


    97


    “God, I’ve missed you so much,” Night murmured against Jade’s hair, his ent thicker than she remembered as his arms tightened around her like steel bands.


    “Enough already, let go,” Jade muttered, trying to wriggle free from his grip.


    Night justughed and squeezed tighter, bending her spine backward. Hisughter drew attention from passersby in the busy airport terminal. Some travelers even pulled out their phones, probably assuming they were witnessing some romantic reunion between long–distance lovers.


    “Just this, just this exact tone–I’ve missed it so much,” Night continued, his eyes sparkling with genuine delight. “This cold, merciless voice, baby, I love it. This is exactly what I needed after so long.”


    Jade let out an exasperated “tsk” as Night finally set her down but immediately cupped her face between his hands, tilting her head up to examine her features. His gray eyes scanned every inch of her face with an intensity that would have unnerved most people.


    “Sweetheart, this face is adorable,” he said, pinching her cheek with unnecessary force. “And your height is cute too. So tiny now.” He measured the top of her head against his chest. “Like a little doll.”


    She pped his hand away, annoyed. “Are you done?”


    “No matter what you look like,” Night continued, his voice suddenly serious, his Russian ent adding weight to his words, “I’ll always love your soul.”


    “Picking up a friend?”


    Jade turned to see Ethan Haxton standing a few feet away, his eyes fixed on Night’s hands, which were still framing her face.


    The woman from the VIP lounge stood beside him, watching their interaction with curious eyes. She was elegantly dressed in a cream cashmere coat, her golden curls perfectly styled despite the long flight. A stunning emerald and diamond ne glinted at her throat.


    Jade tilted her head slightly, evading Night’s grasp. “Yeah, you too?” She nced at the woman beside him,


    She smiled warmly at Jade, her blue eyes crinkling at the corners. “You must be Jade. Ethan’s told me about you.<b>” </b>


    Jade gestured to Night, who had casually draped his arm around her shoulders again. “This is my friend, Night. You might know him.”


    Connor, standing slightly behind Ethan, visibly stiffened at the introduction. His hand instinctively moved toward his jacket. Even Ethan’s perfectly controlled expression faltered for a microsecond. Night’s reputation clearly preceded himmander of the Arctic Fox Mercenaries‘ elite 791 Group wasn’t a credential most airport meetings involved.


    <b>8:17 </b>Thu, <b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>


    :


    Connor’s mind raced as he processed the information. Themander of 791 Group? Here? And apparently on intimate terms with Jade Morgan? The implications were staggering. If Night was here, it meant something significant was happening–or about to happen. He’d need to update their security protocols immediately.


    “Mr. Night,” Ethan extended his hand, his voice measured. “I’ve heard a lot about you.” His eyes narrowed slightly, reassessing Jade and what her connection to someone like Night might mean.


    97


    Night’s handshake was deliberately casual, almost disrespectful. He barely grasped Ethan’s fingers before letting go.


    Ethan didn’t rise to the bait. Instead, he turned to the woman beside him. “This is my aunt, Olivia Haxton.”


    Olivia stepped forward, grasping Jade’s hand in both of hers. Her grip was surprisingly strong for someone so elegantly put together. The diamonds on her fingers caught the light as she held Jade’s hand. “Jade, I’m so pleased to finally meet you. Ethan’s told me about what you did for my brother.” Her eyes shone with genuine gratitude. “Thank you for saving William.”


    “It was nothing,” Jade said, ufortable with her sincerity.


    Night, never one to stay quiet for long, suddenly pointed at Ethan’s wrist. “Darling, so that’s who you wanted the watch for.” He turned to Ethan with an exaggerated smile. “Had I known it was for Mr. Haxton, I would have picked something more suitable. While that watch is decent, it hardly does justice to someone of Mr. Haxton’s stature. I’m afraid you’vepromised your reputation with such a modest gift, baby.”


    Jade fought the urge to roll her eyes.


    Ethan’s smile didn’t waver. “I had assumed this was something you picked up casually,” he replied, adjusting the watch on his wrist. “I didn’t realize you specifically asked your friend–Mr. Night, who I understand is quite the busy man–to select it. That makes it far more valuable.” He looked directly at Night. “I’ll treasure it even more now.”


    Night draped his arm around Jade’s shoulders. “You should. Unlike me, who has a collection of treasures from my darling here, you should appreciate the rarity.” His fingers traced small circles on Jade’s shoulder, a deliberate gesture that wouldn’t be missed by someone as observant as Ethan. “I prefer abundance to scarcity when ites to gifts from her. There’s never too much of a good thing.”


    “Are you two ever going to stop?” Jade cut in, feeling the tension building between them. The air felt charged, like the moment before lightning strikes.


    Night squeezed her shoulder. “Let’s go, shall we? I barely ate on the ne. We’ll get food first, then catch up at home.” The emphasis on “home” was subtle but deliberate,


    She nodded, ready to escape this increasingly awkward encounter. Night grabbed his abandoned luggage from where a security guard was eyeing it suspiciously.


    “It was nice meeting you,” Jade said to Olivia, who smiled warmly in return.


    “Likewise, dear. I hope we’ll see more of you.”


    8:17 Thu, Sep <b>25 </b>


    As Night led her away, his arm still around her shoulders, she could feel Ethan’s gaze following them. His face had hardened, the muscles in his jaw visibly tight. His usualposed demeanor had cracked, revealing something possessive beneath the surface. For someone who prided himself on control, the reaction was telling.


    “Change of ns,” Ethan said to Connor as they reached the automatic doors. “We’re not going directly home.”


    “Sir?” Connor sounded confused, his eyebrows furrowing. “But your parents are expecting us for dinner to wee


    97


    “How about I take you somewhere else for dinner?” Ethan interrupted, addressing his aunt. “The chef at my parents‘ house hasn’t changed the menu in years. Nothing new there.”


    Connor’s expression shifted from confusion to understanding as he nced toward Night and Jade’s retreating figures. He’d rarely seen Ethan change ns so abruptly, especially familymitments. The implications weren’t lost on him.


    Olivia followed her nephew’s gaze, a knowing smile spreading across her face. “That Morgan girl has some impressive friends. You’d better step up your game, nephew.”


    Ethan’s eyes never left Jade as he replied, “I’m well aware, Aunt Olivia.”


    Night whispered something in Jade’s ear as they disappeared through the exit, making herugh–a sound that carried back to where Ethan stood. His fingers tightened almost imperceptibly around his phone.


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    <b>8:17 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>