Chapter <b>228 </b>
? (86
The traffic light turned red, and I eased my car to a stop. Across the intersection, a figure caught my eye–a young man in a ck tactical jacket. Something about his gait, the precise economy of movement, triggered a memory I
couldn’t quite ce.
He was thin, almost gaunt, with pale skin that seemed to absorb the streetlight rather than reflect it. When he turned slightly, I caught a glimpse of his profile–sharp cheekbones, hollow eyes, a face that radiated a cold, isted
intensity.
I knew that face.
The light turned green, but I didn’t move. Cars behind me honked impatiently. I pulled over sharply and jumped out, darting between cars toward the opposite sidewalk. By the time I reached the spot, the man had disappeared down an alley, I sprinted after him, mybat instincts taking over as I moved silently despite my speed. When the alley opened into a small courtyard, it was empty.
“Fuck,” I whispered, scanning the shadows. Nothing. The emptiness felt deliberate, taunting.
My hand moved unconsciously to my left shoulder, fingers searching for a scar that no longer existed–the spot where I’d taken a bullet in my previous life as Shadow.
I shook my head, forcing myself back to the present.
Back in my car, my phone rang. Ryan’s name shed on the screen.
“Boss,” his voice was tense, controlled but urgent. “Max is missing.”
My blood turned to ice. “What happened?”
“He went to Barnes & Noble after school. Said he was going to pick up some books and maybe stop at the mall. He’s not answering his phone, and I can’t reach him on the emergency channel either.”
I pulled into traffic, elerating faster than was legal. “His watch?”
“That’s the weird part. His phone stopped moving about thirty minutes ago. But his watch signal is moving fast, like he’s in a vehicle heading east.”
“Or someone took his watch and is in a vehicle,” I said, my voice t with controlled rage.
“The signal just stopped at an abandoned warehouse in the northeast industrial zone,” Ryan reported, his voice tightening.
“I’m on my way. Send me the coordinates<b>.</b><b>” </b>
<b>8:02 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b><b>26 </b><b>T </b>
…
:
86
The industrial zone was a wastnd of forgotten ambitions<b>–</b>crumbling brick buildings with broken windows<b>, </b>chain- link fences topped with rusted barbed wire. I parked two blocks away and approached on foot, staying in the
shadows.
Ryan emerged from behind a dumpster<b>, </b>his <b>face </b>grim.
‘Found him,” he said without preamble. “Max. He’s unconscious but alive. Multiple contusions<b>, </b>some minor
Relief flooded through me. “Where?”
Ryan nodded toward a drainage ditch. “Over there. But Zach has his watch. He must have taken it off Max and gone in his ce<b>.</b>”
“What?” The word came out sharper than I intended.
“I found signs of a struggle. Fingernail marks on Max’s wrist where the watch was forcibly removed. Based on the blood patterns, I think Zach intercepted them when they were moving Max. He traded himself for the kid.”
I checked Max’s pulse–strong and regr. “Take him back to Princeton. Have him checked for drugs. And Ryan,” I paused, meeting his eyes, “don’t let him out of your sight.”
“And you?” Ryan asked, though he already knew the answer.
“I’m going after Zach.”
Ryan’s eyes moved to the warehouse, then back to me. “Boss, they’re expecting you. This is a trap.”
‘I know.”
“They don’t took the watch. They’re using him as bait.”
I nodded once. “That’s why I need to go now.”
Ryan looked down at Max, then at the warehouse in the distance. “I’ll get him to safety. You…” He hesitated. “You be careful in there.”
Three hourster<b>, </b>my phone vibrated with a text from Ryan: “Max awake. Asking for you.”
<b>I </b>called immediately, and Ryan put Max on the line.
<b>“</b>Jade?” His voice was weak, raspy with pain.
8:02 Fri<b>, </b>Sep 26 <b>T </b>
“I’m here. How are you feeling?”
:
“Like I got hit by a truck.” He attempted augh that turned into a pained cough. “Where are you?”
“Handling something. What happened, Max? Tell me everything.”
<b>86 </b>
“I went to Barnes & Noble for that physics problem set I told you about.” His voice grew stronger as he spoke. “Then I stopped at Nordstrom. Got you a ck wool coat and a new winter jacket for Dad. His old one is falling apart.”
My chest tightened at his thoughtfulness, even as anger burned through me at whoever had hurt him.
“I was going to mail them tonight,” he continued. “Had to use the restroom first. That’s when they grabbed me. Three men. One covered my mouth while the other injected something into my neck. Next thing I knew, I was waking up in a van with my hands tied.”
“Was anyone else there?” I kept my voice level, controlled.
“Zach.” Max’s voice dropped. “They’d caught him too. At least, that’s what I thought at first. We were driving for a while when they stopped to check something. Zach… he attacked one of them when the door opened. The guy had a knife–stabbed Zach in the arm–but Zach didn’t even flinch. He broke the man’s neck, Jade. <b>Just</b><b>… </b>snapped it.”
I closed my eyes briefly. That sounded like Zach.
“Then he grabbed my wrist. It hurt–he just ripped the watch off. I thought he was going to leave me, but instead, he put the watch on himself and pushed me toward the door. ‘Jump,‘ he said. ‘Roll when you hit the ground. Hide until they’re gone.‘ The van was still moving, Jade. I was scared, but Zach just pushed me out.”
“He saved your life,” I said quietly.
“Where is he? Did you find him? Are you okay?<b>” </b>
“I’m fine, Max. Don’t worry about me.”
“But Zach-”
“I’ll find him.” My tone left no room for doubt. “Get some rest. I’ll see you soon.”
I ended the call and stared at the warehouse in the distance. ording to the watch’s tracking signal, Zach was still on the move<b>, </b>traveling quickly away from this location. They were using him as bait. They wanted me, and they knew exactly how to get me toe to them. Taking Max had been their first move. When Zach interfered, they adapted.
My phone rang again. Ethan Haxton.
“I just spoke to Max,” I said by way of greeting.
<b>8:02 </b>Fri<b>, </b><b>Sep </b>26 <b>T. </b>
…
“He called me,‘ Ethan replied, his voice tight with concern. “Jade, where are you?”
“Handling something.”
“Max told me everything. This is a trap. Shadow Organization doesn’t make mistakes like letting a target escape unless they want to lure someone else in.”
I remained silent, watching the warehouse, calcting entry points and potential threats.
“Jade,” Ethan’s voice hardened. “My security teams are on their way. Wait for backup<b>.</b><b>” </b>
After a long silence, I finally spoke, my voice low and determined.
“I know exactly what I’m walking into, Ethan. And I’m still going.”
<b>86 </b>
I ended the call and moved toward the warehouse, a shadow melting into shadows. They wanted Shadow? They’d get her.
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