bChapter /bb283 /b

Captain bdarted /bbpast /bbme /binto Ethan’s broom/bb, /bbhis /bbnose /bburied deep in my halfb–/bbopen /bbag. Before bI /bcould stop himb, /bhe bwas /bbpawing /bthrough my bstuff/bb, /bbtail /bbwagging /blike bhe’d /bfound buried treasure.

b“/bbCaptain/bb, /bbget /bbout /bbof /bthereb!/b” bI /bcalled, but he ignored mepletely, his butt wiggling with excitement bas /bhe dug deeper.

With a triumphant “woof,” he emerged with a bright yellow tennis ball clenched between his teeth. The new toy I’d picked up in Moscow. bCaptain /bbpranced /baround bthe /broom, showing off bhis /bprize before dropping it at my bfeet/bb, /btail still whipping bback /band forth.

b“/bbSo /bthat’s where it went,” I muttered, bending down to scratch behind his ears. “Happy now?b” /b

Ethan walked in behind me, his eyes taking in the disaster zone that was my bag–contents spilled across his pristine hardwood floor. Without a word, he knelt down and started gathering my scattered belongings.

“You don’t have to do that,” I said, moving to help.

“It’s fine,” he replied, carefully stacking my notebooks. His hand paused when he came across a sleek ck card with no markings. The sight of it didn’t seem to surprise him; he simply ced it with my other things.

“Just tossing a ck card in your bag?” he asked, the corner of his mouth lifting slightly. “Very you.”

I shrugged. “Where else would I put it?” b” /b

Ethan continued sorting through the messb, /bpausing again when he found two small leather–bound booklets. His brow furrowed as he turned one over in his hand.

“Medical licenses?” he asked, genuine confusion crossing his face.

Before I could answer, he’d already opened the first one. Inside was a certification with my photo–Jade Morgan–along with official stamps and a notarized document tucked between the pages.

“So this is why you went to Russia?” Ethan asked, studying the document. “For medical credentials?”

I kept my expression neutral. “Something like that.”

bHe /bbset /bthe first booklet aside and opened the second one. This time, his reaction was impossible to miss–his eyes widened, and his body wentpletely still. Inside was another license, but with a different photo.

The name on the license read: Dr. ckwell.

Ethan’s head snapped up, his gaze locking with mine. I knew exactly what he was seeing.

bHe /bnced back at the photo, then at me. The resemnce was unmistakable yet different enough to create usible deniability. We stared at each other, the unspoken question hanging between us.

After a moment, Ethan carefully closed the booklet and ced it with my other belongings. He finished packing my bag bas /bif nothing had happened.

In the car, exhaustion finally caught up bwith /bme. I let bmy /bhead drop against Ethan’s shoulder, inhaling the familiar scent bof /bhis cologne.

b“/bbJust /bbrest/bb,/bb” /bhe murmuredb, /bhis arming around meb. /b“We’ll be at your bce /bsoon.”

I meant bto /brespondb, /bbut sleep dragged me under before bI /bcould form bthe /bbwords/bb. /b

When bwe /barrived at my apartment, Max opened the door before we even reached it. Captain bounded past him into the apartmentb, /bimmediately rolling on the floor like he was home for the first time in years.

“About time,” Max saidb, /brelief evident in his voiceb. /bHe stepped back to let us in, and I noticed how much more at ease he seemed here fnb0a6 ?? ??? ???? ?? ???? ???? ???????s, ????s? ??s?? Find★Novel/fnb0a6

than at the Haxton estate.

Zach bwas /bsprawled on the couch, feet propped on the coffee table, looking equallyfortable.

“I’m taking a shower and going to sleep,” I announced, heading straight for my bedroom. “Don’t wake me unless something’s on fireb./bb” /b

“What if it’s just smoking?” Zach called after me.

“Put it out yourself,” I replied, closing my door.

It was almost midnight when I slipped out of my apartment and headed to Ss’s ce. I’d texted him earlier, but he hadn’t responded- unusual for him.

When I reached his door, I could hear ss clinking inside. I knocked once, then used my spare key when there was no answer.

The apartment was a disaster. Empty whiskey bottles scattered across the floor, clothes thrown haphazardly over furniture, and Ss himself slumped against his bed, staring nkly at the wall.

He didn’t react when I entered, just continued staring into nothing, a half–empty bottle dangling from his fingers.

“What the hell is this?” I demanded, kicking an empty bottle aside. The noise finally seemed to register.

Ss blinked slowly, focusing on me with difficulty. “Jade?” he slurred. “What’re you doing here?”

“Looking at a sad drunk who reminds me way too much of his father right now,” I said coldly.

That hit home. Ss flinched, his grip tightening on the bottle. He didn’t say anything for a long moment.

b“/bbShower/b. Sleep. I’ll see you at my ce tomorrow for catch–up lessons,” I said, turning to leave.

“Why do you careb?/b” he asked suddenly, his voice hollow. b“/bbIs /bit because your friend? Or is it because of my brotherb?/b”

bI /bbstopped /bat the door. “Do you really need to be this dramaticb?/bb” /b

bSs /bstared at the floor, shoulders slumped.

b‘/bbI’ll /bbsee /byou tomorrow,” bI /bsaid firmly. “For blessons/bb./bb” /b

bHe /bbnodded /bslightly. “I’ll bbe /bthere.b” /b

The next day, Ss showed up at my apartment looking like death warmed over, but at least he was sober and showered. When bhe /bwalked in, he froze at the sight of Ryan, Zachb, /bMax, and Maxi all gathered in my living room.

“My brother,” I said, gesturing to Max. “My two friends.” I didn’t borate on which was which.

Captain barked once at Ssb, /bclearly recognizing him.

Ss nodded awkwardly. “Nice to meet you allb./bb” /b

Taking Max to Princeton for registration day drew more attention than I’d anticipated. The campus forums exploded with spection about the “mysterious Morgan siblings” and whether I’d “bought” Max’s way in.

“You sure you want to live in the dorms?” I asked as we finished the paperwork. “You could stay with me.”

Max shook his head. “I need to do this,” he said firmly. “You can’t protect me forever, sis. Especially when you’ve got your own problems to deal with.”

I raised an eyebrow.

“Whatever you’re not telling me about,” he rified. “The thing that’s so bad even Ethan Haxton can’t fix it. I don’t want to be a burden. Not likest time when I got kidnapped and Zach got hurt and you-” he stopped, unable to mention my temporary blindness.

“Never a burden,” I ruffled his hair. “When this is over, I’ll take you to China,” I promised.

“I’d like that,” he said quietly.

That night, a familiar engine roared outside my apartment building. I’d been expecting it.

Chase Astor stood at my door, practically vibrating with excitement. “Is it really here? Did you really bring it back?”

bI /btossed him the keys to his blue Bugatti.

Chase caught the keys mid–air, then unexpectedly threw his arms around me in a quick hug. “Thanks, Jade!” he eximed before racing toward the parking garage,

“Take the car and go!” I called after him. “I’m going to bed!”

“Nightb, /bJade!” he shouted back, already halfway to his precious car.