Good Intentions - Adrian Hell #6 (Adrian Hell Series) (35 page)

I raise an eyebrow. “Okay, hold up. So you’re not the only
Horizon
? There are more people out there with the same stupid-ass name?”

He nods. “There are a number of us, yes. Each charged with directing a different division of The Order.”

“So, I was recruited to one… what? One small part of a larger organization?”

He nods again.

“Jeez… Okay. This is good. We’re sharing. So, these goals you keep mentioning… Whose goals are they, exactly? And what makes them so damn important?”

Horizon stands and begins pacing idly back and forth in front of me. “Our committee is made up of many influential people around the world. High-ranking members of governments, board members of large companies, police officers… even pilots. Our reach encompasses the globe, and between us, we have a pretty good idea about what’s best for people. And if something threatens that, we use our assets to rectify things.”

I rub my eyes. All this time I’ve been after some kind of straight answer, and he’s said nothing. Now, I can’t shut him up! This is information overload, and I don’t even know if I believe it. I mean, I know The Order’s a big thing, but… could they really be so well established in the world?

“Okay, if all that’s true—and I’m not saying I completely believe it is—then what about Cunningham? Surely his delusional plan for world domination didn’t conform to your ideal path for humanity… Where were you when he was blowing up half the goddamn planet?”

Horizon laughs. “We were monitoring the situation, but we believed you had it handled.”

I shake my head with disbelief. “
That I had it
… Are you fucking kidding me? I sat there and watched 4/17 happen! How did
that
fit in with your grand plans?”

“Oh, it didn’t. That was a tragedy, obviously. But… we knew that in the aftermath, the world would adjust, and start us all on a new path—one that we felt was actually more beneficial than our original objective. There’s always light after the dark, Adrian.”

I stand and take a step toward him, stretching to my full width and height. I look him right in the eye. “You’re just as fucking twisted as Cunningham was. And what about Lily? Huh? Was killing her a part of your big picture?”

Horizon, to his credit, doesn’t back down. He doesn’t even flinch. He’s either mighty brave, or mighty stupid. He just stands his ground and stares right back at me with his dark, unblinking eyes. “No. That was necessary, albeit regrettable. She was one of my most capable assets. But she made a mistake and she lied to me. I can’t have that. I need to be able to trust our assets as much as I expect them to put their trust in me. Involving you in her faux pas was unfortunate…”

“No fucking shit it was unfortunate! Why play all those games? Why make me believe she was after me? If you were so disappointed, if you wanted her gone, why not just pull your little trigger and take her head off? Why make us both suffer?”

He chuckles. “You think that was suffering? Adrian… that was an
education
. That was for your benefit. Her fate was already sealed, but you… you still had a chance to redeem yourself. I’ve given you every opportunity to commit to our cause, but nothing was working. I didn’t want to lose someone of your ability, and I knew all it needed was the right push. I’ve been trying to find the best way to convince you that working for us is a positive thing for you.”

“Tricking me into killing Lily was meant to convince me you guys are actually alright? Are you being serious?”

He smiles and shakes his head. “No, Adrian. The situation with Lily was a lesson, designed to show you that fucking with me isn’t an option. I am
better
than you. I am your superior, in every sense of the goddamn word, and you
will
conform, or you will die!”

I clench my fist repeatedly. My jaw’s aching from tensing it this hard. I’m glaring at him, angry beyond words.

He paces away from me. “But… that didn’t work either, so I simply had her eliminated. You should be grateful. I asked Mr. Pierce to shoot her so she didn’t suffer. Had I activated her tracking device, the pain she felt before her head was removed would have been quite excruciating. A sensation I believe you’re familiar with?”

“Yeah, you’re all heart… you sonofabitch.”

He turns and looks at me, clasping his hands behind him. “Anyway, enough about the past. Let’s look at how we move forward.”

I shake my head. “That’s easy. We don’t. It’s great that you finally told me how you work, and all that crap, but it doesn’t change a damn thing. I’m done. I’m out. If you have a problem with that, we settle it now.” I point behind me to Kaitlyn and Yaz. “But you leave them out of it. Understand?”

He chuckles again. A smug little giggle to himself. Prick. “Adrian, I’m… I’m sorry, I… I think you misunderstand me. I relented and explained our organization’s workings as a gesture. To extend the olive branch, as it were, and to make you feel more comfortable with your life in The Order. I will admit, despite the shortcomings with your attitude, you are still one of the best operatives we have. As I’ve explained, I have invested considerable amounts of time and money to both bring you in, and to try convincing you this is a good thing. But I see now that trying to explain how this benefits you simply isn’t working, so let me put it another way. There is no getting out. I wanted to make your time with us more bearable for you, but you ultimately don’t have a choice. You will do what we ask of you whether you like it or not, or you… and the people you care for… will suffer the consequences.”

Shit.

He’s moved far enough away from me that I’ll never reach him before Pierce gets a shot off. Similarly, I’ll never reach Pierce in time either. I don’t actually have any moves. I don’t know what to do.

Screw it.

I flip Horizon the finger. “Fuck you, Colonel Sanders. I’m leaving, and I’m taking those two with me. Anyone tries to stop me, I’ll beat them to death.”

He sighs. “Very well… have it your way.”

He takes out a remote detonator, identical to the one Pierce had the other day.

It’s my turn to smile. I can’t help it. Arrogant bastard thinks he still controls me. He’s in for a real—

“Argh!”

I clamp my hands to my head and drop to my knees.

“Fuck!”

Oh my God!

Ah!

Ah!

I fall on my side, still clutching my head. It feels like someone’s taking a blowtorch to the back of my eyes!

I hear Kaitlyn scream, but I can’t do anything about it.

I feel like my head’s about to—

It’s stopped.

What… the… hell?

I roll onto my back and spread my arms out. There’s a slight ringing in my ears, and I have a headache like you wouldn’t believe. I need to catch my breath…

…

…

…

Oh, man, that sucked.

I don’t understand. How did he activate the device?

I push myself up onto one knee, still breathing hard. “How… how did you…?”

Horizon smiles. “How did I what? Activate your device after you blocked the signal?”

Shit.

Of course he knows…

He walks over and crouches just in front of me. “There is nothing you do that The Order doesn’t know about. We were monitoring the signal when your little friend here tried to hack it. We reversed his tampering the second he disconnected. You were never safe, Adrian, and I’d like to think that now, we’re on the same page. We… understand one another.” He stands. “Now get up.”

Fuck.

I’m trapped. There’s no way of removing or disabling the device, which means they know where I am at all times, and they can kill me whenever they want.

I slowly get to my feet.

“So, can we finally put all this silliness behind us? Do you accept the fact you belong to The Order?”

I stare at the floor for a moment, angry at myself for being so naïve all this time. I’m not giving him the satisfaction of hearing me say it.

I look at him and nod.

“Good. And, just for my own peace of mind, are we going to have any more problems with the level of detail I provide you with your contracts?”

I sigh and shake my head.

He smiles. “Excellent. I’m glad we finally got all this straightened out. I’m excited about finally seeing you put to good use for us. But… there is one more thing…”

He looks at Pierce and gives him an almost imperceptible nod.

I turn and see Pierce take out another gun from behind his back. He puts one against the back of Yaz’s head, and one against the back of Kaitlyn’s. “Both of you, on your knees.”

They both let out a terrified whimper as they kneel down. Kaitlyn’s eyes are filling with tears. Yaz looks like he’s just woken up from a bad dream, and he’s trying to process if it was real or not.

I instinctively take a step toward Pierce. “No!”

“Ah, ah…” says Horizon.

It takes every ounce of willpower and intelligence to stop myself, but I do. I look over my shoulder at him. He’s staring at me, holding the detonator in his hand.

He shakes his head. “Don’t ruin our new working relationship so soon, Adrian.”

Goddammit!

I take a step back and turn to face Horizon. “What do you want?”

“Even though we’re embarking on a new chapter of your life in The Order, I can’t let your previous misdemeanors go unpunished.”

“Then punish
me
! Don’t hurt innocent people to make another sick point.”

“Adrian, you have to understand the position I’m in. I run my division of The Order very well. I consider myself hard, but fair. If any of my assets had done half of what you have, they would be dead. I’ve granted you an audience, I’ve given you answers you’re not entitled to, and I’m letting you live. What more do you want from me? You have to be punished. An example still needs to be made.”

I look over at Kaitlyn and Yaz. “It’s going to be okay, do you hear me? I’m going to get you out of this, I promise.”

Horizon moves next to me, his hands casually in his pockets. “I wouldn’t make promises I can’t keep, if I were you.” He gestures to them both with his head. “You have to decide, right now, which one of them will live, and which one will die. If you refuse to make that decision, Mr. Pierce will shoot both of them.” He pats my shoulder. “I’ll give you a moment.”

Oh my God…

29

11:01
AST

I feel numb. I feel hollow, like I’m not in my own body… like I’m looking on, watching an episode of someone else’s twisted life. I stare blankly at Kaitlyn and Yaz. I see the fear in their eyes.

I don’t know what to do.

I can’t choose… I can’t fight back… But I can’t say nothing, because I’ll lose them both.

I feel myself defaulting to my instincts. When I see no reason or clear answer, I get angry. I look over at Horizon. “You sick bastard!”

He looks at me impassively. “You need to accept the fact there’s nothing you can do, Adrian. You make the choice, and whoever lives, I promise they will be left in peace. The Order won’t go near them, as long as you don’t, either. We are your life, nothing else. That’s how this works.”

I turn back to them. “I’m… I’m sorry. Both of you. I am. I’m sorry I got either of you caught up in this shit, and I’m sorry I can’t get you out of it. But I can’t choose. I don’t know how…”

Kaitlyn sniffs back her tears and clears her throat. “Adrian, look at me.”

I do. It’s hard looking into her eyes, but I do.

She smiles. “It’s gonna be okay, but you need to listen to me. I want you to remember everything we’ve talked about. It’s not… it’s not your job to protect everyone. And the guilt you carry around with you is unnecessary. 4/17 didn’t happen because of something you did or didn’t do. Tori dying wasn’t your fault. Right now, whatever happens, you can’t blame yourself. All you’ve ever done is what you believed to be right. Even when you worked as an assassin. This isn’t your fault. I don’t want to die. I’m
terrified
. But I have to. We all know it. And I want you to promise me you won’t punish yourself for this when I’m gone.”

I feel my jaw hanging loose with disbelief. I’m in awe of the strength she’s showing. I hate myself for not having the courage she does right now. I can’t find the words…

“Adrian, you promise me! Do you hear me? You promise me, right now!”

I slowly start to nod my head. “I… I... I prom—”

“Kill me.”

Huh? What?

All eyes in the room turn to Yaz. He’s standing up, staring at Horizon. His jaw is set, though his arms and legs are shaking. His face is covered in a thin film of sweat. “Kill me. I c-can’t let you hurt Miss Moss. You’ve… you’ve already killed my mom… so k-kill me.”

I feel myself rushing back into the moment, my instincts and training kicking in again. I’m in Horizon’s suite, I know what needs to be done. I take a step forward. “Yaz, no. Don’t be stupid. Just sit—”

BANG!

The gunshot startles me. I stare, stunned silent and horrified, as I watch Yaz’s body fall slowly forward to the floor. The exit wound has removed most of his forehead. He thuds against the thick carpet. I hear Kaitlyn’s screams, but they sound distant. I’m not zoning out again. I’m not feeling lost. I’m feeling… really… really… angry. The reason she sounds distant is because I’m stripping away everything I don’t need, every sight, every sound, every emotion, so that my mind is focused on one single thing.

Pierce.

I clench my fist.

I set my jaw.

Adrian, I got this. This piece of shit is—

No.

I don’t need my Inner Satan. This asshole is mine.

“You sonofa
bitch
!”

I run toward Pierce, accelerating without warning. I sidestep Kaitlyn without breaking stride and launch myself at him, bringing my cast up and down, like a club. He doesn’t have time to react. I hit him across the face as I crash into him, and we both fall to the floor. His guns fly off in different directions.

He pushes me off him and scrambles to his feet, but I’m right back on him before he gets upright. I jab him in his side, under the arm where the ribcage is thin. The bones are easier to break there. I don’t get enough power behind the punch, but it’s enough to stop him.