Treatment 282_Badass in Disguise

Jade’s POV:

 I leaned back against Ethan’s chest, feeling his arms tighten around my waist as we stood in the center of the gym. For over a month, he’d been handling everything–helping Max with his programming, sending gifts, arranging for Zach and Ryan to stay at the Haxton estate, even taking care of Captain’s vet appointments. While I was off dealing with Chris’s kidnapping and Arctic Fox business, Ethan had stepped up withoutint.

 “You know,” I said, tracing a finger along his forearm, “you’ve been doing way too muchtely.”

 “Hmm?” Ethan’s chin rested on my shoulder.

 “Taking care of Max, handling my assignments, managing your actual job–all while I’ve been country–hopping.” I turned slightly to see his face. “You even picked up Captain’s fancy organic dog food.”

 He shrugged. “Someone had to do it.”

 “You’ve barely left town in weeks because you wanted to make sure everyone was safe.” I shifted to face him fully. “Meanwhile, I’ve been gallivanting across continents.”

 “Gallivanting?” A small smile yed at his lips. “That’s a big word.”

 I rolled my eyes. “I’m trying to apologize for leaving you with everything, and you’re critiquing my vocabry?”

 “You don’t need to apologize,” he said, his expression softening. “I wanted to do it.”

 “Still,” I insisted, “you’ve been handling my life better than I have.” I leaned forward, pressing my forehead against his. “Did Ifort you properly, Mr. Haxton? Or should I try harder?”

 His smile widened, eyes darkening. “I think I need more convincing.”

 “Greedy,” I murmured against his lips before kissing him again.

 “Absolutely,” he agreed, pulling me closer.

 Just as his hands slipped under my shirt, I stiffened. “Someone’sing.”

 Before Ethan could respond, Captain burst through the gym doors, tail wagging furiously. Behind him, Connor appeared with Zach and Ryan following close behind.

 “Holy shit!” Connor’s eyes widened in horror when he spotted us. He spun around to flee, but the door mmed shut with a bang. He stood frozen, back to us, shoulders hunched like he was waiting for execution.

 Ethan reluctantly released me.

 Captain trotted over to Connor, sniffing curiously at his legs. When I tapped Connor’s shoulder, he flinched so hard I thought he might jump out of his skin.

 Connor’s eyes remained tightly shut. “Please don’t kill me,” he whispered.

 “Let me through,” I said calmly.

 I could feel Ethan’s presence behind me, close enough that Connor could probably sense him too. 

 Ryan leaned against the wall, </bpletely unfazed. He nced at Connor’s half–dead posture and offered an apologetic shrug. “Sorry about the interruption.” 

 Zach was nowhere to be seen. 

 When we made it to the main floor, Max spotted me immediately, his eyes narrowing as he examined my face.

 “Sis, what happened to your lips? They’re all swollen.”

 I kept my expression neutral. “Bumped into a table.”

 “Let me see-” Max reached toward my face, but Zach suddenly appeared and dragged him away.

 “Come on, I need your help with something,” Zach insisted.

 Max frowned, confused. “Zach? Where are we going?” 

 J

 He struggled to keep pace as Zach pulled him down the hallway.

 During lunch, I noticed the empty chair across from me. “Where’s Zach?”

 Max looked up from his te. “In his room. He’s upset about something. Won’te down for food. I’ll bring him a teter.”

 Ryan stabbed a piece of broli with his fork. “Don’t worry about it. That’s just how he gets sometimes.” <fnb64c> ???s ??????? ?s ?????? ?? find[?]ovel</fnb64c>

 I raised an eyebrow but didn’t push further.

 After lunch, I knocked on Zach’s door, not waiting for a response before entering. He was sitting on the windowsill, staring outside.

 “Little Zach?” I called softly. When he didn’t respond, I tried again. “You’re not jealous of Ethan, are you?”

 “Don’t tter yourself,” he snapped, still not looking at me.

 Zach finally turned to face me. “Nobody once blew up Transcendent Military Alliance headquarters.”

 I shrugged. “Ethan doesn’t care about that.”

 “She didn’t like the Transcendent Military Alliance,” Zach said, studying my reaction.

 1 touched my nose. “I think you misunderstood.”

 I pulled out my phone, tapped the screen a few times, then held it out to him. “I brought you a gift.”

 Zach’s face hardened. “I don’t want anything.”

 Despite his words, his eyes flicked toward the screen. He froze, his expression transforming from irritation to disbelief.

 On my phone was a photograph of Nobody–a woman in tight purple leather, long blonde hair pulled into a high ponytail, casually raising a ss in some dimly lit bar.

 Zach’s eyes darted back to my face, glistening with unshed tears.

 “There are more,” I said softly, extending the phone further. “Take your time. I’ll send them to you when you’re done.”

 He took the phone with trembling hands, staring at the image as if hypnotized. In the photos, Nobody was captured in various moments- eating, sleeping, shooting at a range, driving, working on aputer. Night had taken these candid shots, preserving everyday moments that made Nobody seem alive again.

 I watched Zach scroll through them, his thumb moving carefully as if each photo might break. I debated telling him the truth–that I was Nobody–but decided against it. The timing wasn’t right. After I settled my score with Shadow Organization, maybe then.

 He paused on a photo of me in a gold evening gown at a Russian g.

 “You look like her sometimes,” Zach said quietly. “Something in the eyes.”

 “Where did you get these?” he asked. “Who took them?”

 “I’ll tell youter,” I promised.

 “You better.” His voice was husky with emotion.

 “When have I ever lied to you?” I asked.

 Zach didn’t answer, just continued staring at the photos, memories ying across his face.

 In the hallway, Ethan was waiting, leaning against the wall with his arms crossed.

 “What about my gift?” he asked, a yful glint in his eyes.

 I raised an eyebrow. “With your resources? What could I possibly get that you don’t already have?”

 “I can think of something.” His voice dropped lower.

 “Oh? And what would that be, Mr. Haxton?” 

 He stepped closer. “Something priceless. Something unique.”

 “If you’re suggesting what I think you are,” I narrowed my eyes dangerously, “you might want to reconsider.” 

 Ethan’s expression changed quickly. “I just meant that you </bing back safe is the best gift.”

 “Nice save,” I smirked. “Your mouth has its uses after all.” My eyes flickered briefly to his lips.

 A mechanical whirring interrupted us. The little robot–Maxi–rolled around the corner, its camera eyes blinking rapidly.

 ‘Data processing error. Data processing error,” it chirped, its question–mark eyes blinking frantically. “Recording for further analysis.”

 I shot Ethan a look. “Better go delete that before it corrupts kid’s innocent mind.”

 “He’s a smart kid,” Ethan replied, not moving. “He won’t understand.”

 “Go or don’t. Your choice.” I turned to walk away.

 “Coming right now,” Ethan said, hurrying after me.

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Treatment 282