<b>Chapter </b><b>202 </b>
Author’s POV:
:
<b>96 </b>
Night’s eyes narrowed as he red at Ethan across the medical room. The tension between them was thick enough
to cut with a knife.
“You sure you want to settle scores on his turf?” Jade asked Night, nodding toward Ethan.
Night’s lips curled into a predatory smile. “Last time we didn’t get to finish properly. I’m in a shit mood anyway.”
Jade stepped between them, the movement pulling at her freshly bandaged arm. “He’s injured.”
Night’s gaze flickered to Ethan’s right arm, then to Jade’s own–both wrapped in nearly identical bandages at almost the same spot. His expression darkened as he made the connection. The coincidence wasn’t lost on him.
“Let’s go upstairs,” Jade said, heading toward the door. She paused before leaving, turning back to Ethan. “Don’t get
that wound wet.”
Ethan nodded, his green eyes never leaving her face. “I won’t.”
Night gave Ethan onest threatening look before following Jade. As they reached the doorway, he draped his arm possessively around her shoulders. “Baby, you’re injured too. How are you going to shower? Need me to help?” He said it loudly enough for Ethan to hear, his words deliberately provocative.
Jade rolled her eyes and kept walking.
Miles away, perched on a hillside overlooking the drug lord’spound, Loki watched smoke rise from a burning building.
“Another one gone,” he murmured, a slight smile ying on his lips.
The mes danced in his eyes as he considered who might be next.
Ethany in bed staring at the ceiling<b>, </b>sleep evading him despite his exhaustion, His mind kept returning to the image of Jade by the stream, crouched in the darkness<b>, </b>silently washing blood from her wound. She had looked so small then, so vulnerable,
That kind of life–fighting, getting wounded, handling injuries alone–seemed to be routine for her. While he’d <b>winced </b>at <b>the </b>sting of antiseptic on his own wound, she hadn’t even flinched.
Who are you really<i>, </i>Jade Morgan<i>? </i>he wondered. What’s your connection to Shadow Organization<i>? </i>What did they do to
you<i>? </i>
The throbbing pain in his arm intensified, making sleep even more impossible. If his wound hurt this much, hers must be painful too. He reached for his phone, finger hovering over her contact, wanting to text and ask if she needed painkillers.
After a moment’s hesitation, he put the phone down. She clearly knew how to handle injuries better than he did.
A quiet knock woke Jade the next morning. She checked her phone first–a message from Ethan: <i>Bringing </i><i>breakfast</i>. You <i>awake</i>?
She swung her legs over the side of the bed, wincing slightly as the movement pulled at her stitches. After checking through the peephole, she opened the door to find Ethan standing there, holding a thermal container and a ck bag.
“Morning,” he said, his voice low and smooth. Dark circles under his eyes suggested he hadn’t slept much either.
Jade stepped aside to let him in, then closed the door. “I need to wash up first.”
“Go ahead. I’ll wait.”
When she emerged from the bathroom, he was still standing, as if sitting would be too presumptuous. The thermal container was on the nightstand, steam escaping from a small vent.
“Bone broth with nutrients,” he exined. “I’ll make you something with iron for lunch. Red meat, spinach–good for blood replenishment.”
“It’s just a flesh wound,” she said. “Not enough blood loss to worry about.”
He gave her a look that said he disagreed but wouldn’t argue. Then he held up the ck bag. “Female necessities. I remembered your <b>cycle </b>should be starting around now.”
She met his gaze<b>, </b>impressed but not about to show it. “Good memory.”
“What are your ns for Christmas?” Ethan asked, watching Jade sip the broth. “Going to Russia with Night?”
She stared into the container<b>, </b>considering her answer. Christmas had never been significant to her–before or <b>after </b>her rebirth. “It’s just another day.”
<b>“</b>It doesn’t have to be,” he said, leaning forward slightly. “My parents are having dinner <b>at </b><b>the </b>main <b>house</b><b>. </b>Nothing fancy<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>8:27 </b><b>Thu</b><b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>25 </b>
“Sounds nice for you.”
<b>96 </b>
“I’ve spent every Christmas with them. Missing one dinner won’t matter.” He paused. “My parents and my aunt Olivia still want to thank you properly for what you did for my grandpa. They’d like to meet you, talk to you.”
Jade considered his words, wondering what a normal Christmas would be like. Before she could respond, a sharp knock interrupted them.
“Baby, you up?” Night’s voice called through the door. “I thought I heard you talking.”
Jade opened the door to find Night leaning against the doorframe, his casual pose belied by the tension in his shoulders. His eyes flicked past her to where Ethan stood.
“Baby, breakfast is pretty good today,” Night said with a forced smile. “You should head down and eat. I need a quick word with Mr. Haxton.”
Jade looked between them, sensing the brewing confrontation. “<b>If </b>you can’t stand him, don’t hold back,” she told Ethan. “If your wound reopens<b>, </be find me.” Then she turned to Night. “Remember whose territory this is.”
She stepped past Night into the hallway. “Keep it down. Don’t disturb Chris.”
As she walked away, she heard Night’s sweet tone: “Baby, wait for me.” But not before he’d given Ethan a look that could freeze hell.
Two dayster, Ethan checked his watch for the third time in five minutes. The airport’s departure lounge was crowded with holiday travelers, but the person he was waiting for hadn’t appeared yet.
A stylishly dressed woman approached, her designer clothes and confident stride drawing attention from nearby passengers. She stopped directly in front of Ethan, extending a perfectly manicured hand.
“Hi, I’m Ruby,” she said with a practiced smile. “Want to be friends? I’ve been watching you.”
Connor stepped forward. “<b>He’s </b>not interested.”
Ruby barely nced at Connor. “I don’t mean anything improper. It’s a four–hour flight, and I thought it might be nice to have someone interesting to talk to.” She flipped her curled hair over her shoulder, the gesture deliberately flirtatious.
“<b>I </b>said, he’s not interested,” Connor repeated firmly.
Ruby’s smile turned cold. “You’re his assistant, right? I was talking to your boss.” She turned back to Ethan. “You don’t mind if <b>I </b>sit here, do you?<b>” </b>
8:27 Thu, Sep 25
<b>96 </b>
She moved to take the seat beside Ethan but froze when she caught his expression. Ethan wasn’t looking at her–his attention was fixed on something over her shoulder. Ruby turned to see what had captured his interest.
A girl in simple jeans and a hoodie was walking toward them, her face partially hidden by her hair. Despite her understated appearance, there was something maic about her presence.
Jade had only stepped away to use the restroom. When she returned, she found someone trying to im her seat
next to Ethan.
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