I haven't heard from Wade and Watson for a week since the accident. I tried calling, but not one of them picked up the phone. I was starting to worry about them and I never worried about them. Who would have thought they'd go AWOL after rescuing me?
I have better things to worry about. Kathryn is already five weeks pregnant. They had her working at Lexi's side 24/7 now that she's awake. I tried to tell them to make her rest, but there was no arguing with a pregnant Kathryn. Especially since she got most of anger issues from her mother. That was scary enough.
Today we were supposed to get her refill of prenatal vitamins. I offered to take her like a good husband, knowing she'd be too tired to go on her own. Our wedding is in two months and if she keeps up this 'I can do everything myself' act, we'd have to postpone it again. I wasn't going to push it back anymore. People have been waiting for us to get married since Sean was born. No need to keep them waiting for the second kid.
I didn't want to have Kat go to work today, but, once again, you can't argue with pregnant Kathryn. She claimed it was because she had to take care of Lexi. Lexi was fine. She would be fine until she had to go to court. To think that Kathryn was now willing to be in her presence was a miracle. Nothing like this will ever happen again.
"Ready to go, sweetheart?" I asked as I walked out the room. "We'll be late if we don't leave now."
"You're acting like I really have to be on time." Kathryn said from the room.
"I want to be in and out of there without any questions being asked. I have things to do today. Do you know that Wade and Watson haven't called me back yet."
"Maybe they actually hate you."
"Hate me? I'm having a hard time believing that."
Kathryn laughed and soon we were both downstairs eating breakfast.
"Nessa wants us back before seven tonight. Something about dinner."
"You don't have to tell me twice. It's you she should have told to come an hour early."
"...I'm never late."
"Liar!" Kathryn punched my arm. "You were late to my appointment two days ago. I told you the week before when it would be and you completely ignored me."
"But I came!" I argued. "That counts."
"You were still late...But I'm not complaining."
Kathryn and I stepped into the clinic and were immediately greeted by the female staff. I could see that Kathryn was trying her best not to knock them all into next week. I was handsome, but I'm sure it wasn't enough to catch their attention.
"Don't look at them. Don't talk to them," she warned. "I'll castrate you if you do."
Okay. I guess I'll get eye-raped instead. It's better I listen to her and don't cause any trouble.
⭕⭕⭕⭕⭕
Wade and Watson sat outside the AOC contemplating their next move. They had been watching Adrien for the past week. He would arrive at work well before any of his employees at exactly 5:30 AM. His office lights wouldn't come on until 6 and stay on until 7:45. Depending on whether he had any meetings or not, he'd leave for a lunch break at 11:50, and return well after 1 PM.
"When do we get him?" Watson asked.
"I was thinking before the guards arrived, but there are a few people who come in a good thirty minute after he does. Getting him during his lunch break is much too obvious. HIs secretary is always waiting for him." Wade crossed a name off his list.
"...What about after everyone leaves? Luca is always the last to leave before the guards call it a night. Adrien locks up after them."
"Hmm...Yeah. How long until then?"
Watson looked at his watch and sighed. They had over thirty minutes before Adrien was really alone. Watson wanted to have a quick dinner before they killed him, but who could say if his schedule would stay the same? Especially if he even noticed he was being followed.
"Should we go through the back?" Watson asked.
"Duh." Wade pulled his dreads up. "Cameron's busy, right?"
"Mhm. He asked about you an hour ago. I told him I hadn't seen you since the hideout...thing."
"Good. Let's go."
Adrien did something different today, which was his mistake. Watson was watching him on the security cameras as he told his remaining guards to leave instead of leaving before them. He saw Luca was still in his office looking at something. There was no way he was worried about what was about to go down. If asked if he cared about Adrien's wellbeing, Watson was sure Luca would help if he could.
Wade was walking down the hall to Adrien's office when Watson told him what was happening. He did a little dance on the inside and quickened his pace. Tonight was going to be an amazing night. Wade was sure of it. Adrien had it coming and he must know that it's not a good idea to send your only protection home. After tonight, no one's going to feel safe in Palm Springs ever again.
Jackson was pacing in front of Adrien's desk when he noticed something was amiss. His eyes flitted towards the door as he heard footsteps. No one should still be here. Unless Luca...No, Luca wouldn't waste his time coming down to tell Adrien he was leaving. He'd phone him. It wasn't until the footsteps stopped in front of the door did Jackson realize everything was about to get crazy.
"Adrien," Wade sang. "Time's up."
"Hide!" Adrien warned. "Don't say a thing."
"Is it alright if I come in, my guy?" Without waiting for an answer, Wade kicked the door open and grinned. "So...how's it goin'? I heard what you did to Asher and--"
"It was all Jackson. I had nothing to do with it."
"Are you sure? Because a little birdy told me you orchestrated the entire thing. Was I lied to or are you trying to defend yourself?"
"You were lied to." Adrien slid his fingers along the bottom of his desk. "I wanted nothing to do with it when he told me."
"Oh! So you pretended he hadn't said anything and didn't warn Cameron? After he helped us not get sold out to the government? What kind of ally are you!"
"Cameron still doesn't have the drive. Where's that gotten him?"
Wade shook his head and laughed. "Where has it gotten him? He's still a pretty big figure here in Palm Springs. Imagine if he'd gotten hit by that truck and died. It would just be the American government coming after you and Jackson. I'm not trying to die just yet."
"I didn't have anything to do with any of that!"
Of course Wade was lying about everything. Cameron was a nobody to the world. Except Palm Springs. The police were on his side even when Brad could still sway them. Of course Adrien didn't know about Cameron like he thought he did. He could have angered any government overnight and be on the run. Or not. Maybe he's just too ordinary to be chased after. Not too much of a problem right now.
"Enough talk." Wade pulled a knife from his waistband and stalked towards Adrien. "I've had enough of your crap these past few years. It's bad enough you're not owning up to your mistakes. So...I've decided that you must die today and if Jackson is here...he's dying with you."
Jackson covered his mouth to keep from making a loud sound. The door would only block him from view for only so long. He needed to get out and before Wade turned around and killed him too. It'd be a tragic death for the entire world. No one wanted to partake in another world war.
Just as Wade was rounding Adrien's desk, Jackson scuttled from the office. Wade heard his footsteps, but chose to ignore it. He'd get whoever he thought it was another time. If Watson didn't get them first. Jackson huffed as he raced out the side doors. He needed to get away from the building. Out of California and back to where he was always protected. The United States wasn't working for him right now.
With a knife to Adrien's throat, Wade felt like he was the most powerful man in the world. Watson walked in pulling on a pair of latex gloves. The snapped against his wrist making Adrien flinch. Good for him. He ought to be afraid.
"Anything?" he asked.
"Nope." Wade shook his head. "He dies now before he warns anyone we're here."
"Wait!" Cameron burst into the room. If no one heard him they were pretty deaf. Adrien's hand paused for a moment. "Are you guys really doing this right now? I swear I can never leave you two to yourselves."
"We haven't even done anything yet," Wade retorted. "Yet…"
"Adrien's my closest ally. He dies and we lose all connections with Jackson."
"So what? Jackson trusts anyone who apologizes."
"And you're gonna regret this decision."
Wade looked at Watson who nodded with a smile. They weren't about to give up this opportunity. Adrien wasn't going to walk away like nothing happened. Cameron jumped forward, but the knife had already made its way along Adrien's throat. Blood splashed onto the men in front of the desk.
Their victory was short lived. Cameron grabbed the both of them and was about to hit them when they heard the alarm. Of course Adrien wasn't going to let them get away so easily. If they wait any longer, all the doors will lock and they'd be trapped inside.
"Crap! Luca's probably on his way!" Watson warned.
No other words were exchanged. Everyone scattered from the office and raced out the back doors just as Luca's footsteps could be heard pounding in the halls. The back doors slammed closed and Luca stopped cold. He had an important decision to make. Either he was going to figure out who'd just left the building or find out if Adrien was okay.
He bounced on his toes for a few seconds before running towards Adrien's office. He kicked open the door and stopped cold. A shiver ran down his back and he immediately wished he'd checked the back door. There was no going back now. Depending on how many people just got away, Luca assumed they'd already taken care of the cameras.
"Dang it!"
Watson's Toyota Camry tore around the corner, merging onto the highway like nothing happened. By now Luca had found the body and was wondering what to do. If he called the police, Asher would surely come and blame it all on him. If he didn't call the police, everyone who knew he didn't leave early like he always did would suspect it was him. Either what he was taking the fall for it.
"What are we eating tonight?" Watson asked.
"Spaghetti?" Wade suggested.
"Really?" Cameron shook his head. "How can you eat at a time like this!"
"...All in a day's work, boss. How's Kathryn?"