Diabolus: The Lethal Hunt

Chapter Seventeen

KAI WOODS

"What was that?"

I turn back to Jordan, my emotions in a jumble. Anger, frustration, and disappointment swirl around inside my head as I try to make sense of the situation. The realization hits me hard, like a punch to the gut. It's not James. It's someone else. Another enemy, lurking in the shadows, waiting to strike.

"His name wasn't James. I know who you're talking about, the man that hired me told me all the history. To this day, I don't know who he is."

"But he knew who James was, who Beverly is."

The thought is both infuriating and unsatisfactory. I had thought that I had uncovered the truth, that I had uncovered the one responsible for all of this. But now, it's clear that there is more to the story than I had anticipated. I feel a sense of unease settles in my stomach, a sense of foreboding that I can't quite shake. But I know that I can't let it consume me. I stand up straight, my eyes locked with Jordan's, as I vow to uncover the truth, to root out this new enemy, and to make them pay for what they have done.

"Did he tell you his reasoning? Why he wanted her dead?"

"Not really. Just barely gave me a hint of it. He said that you killed someone important to him, that you made his life a nightmare. Tortured that someone and let him go without a part of him. And after some time, killed him."

"Oh, did I?"

I turn my gaze to the ceiling, letting out an honest burst of laughter as the realization dawns on me. Somewhere deep inside my mind, I had known that this was inevitable. And now, as I connect the dots, I know exactly who it is.

Adrian Morado. Leonardo's father.

"I'm not following."

"How are you not, Brent? Obvious. Plain obvious. Do you remember that sweet guy Bev was engaged to?"

"Oh..."

"His daddy didn't like that we delivered his son to him in parts."

But instead of feeling fear, I feel a sense of clarity, a sense of purpose. I know what I have to do, and I'm not going to back down. I turn to Jordan, my eyes fierce and determined, as I vow to do whatever it takes to put an end to this.

"How much you got paid?"

"What?"

Jordan lifts one of his brows in a gesture of confusion as if he didn't quite understand the question that had been posed to him. His expression is one of mild annoyance as if he's wondering why he's being bothered with something so trivial.

"How much did he pay you?"

I take a few determined steps forward, closing the distance between Jordan and myself until I'm standing right in front of him. I tower over him, my height giving me an advantage that I'm more than happy to use. From my vantage point, Jordan looks small and helpless, like a worm wriggling on the ground.

"Look, I'll give you a deal. I pay you double the money he did and you wipe Adrian Morado off of this Earth. You get to walk free and as soon as the job is done, you can forget about me and whatever happened."

I cross my arms in front of my chest, my expression morphing into a mischievous smile as I watch Jordan's facial muscles relax. It's a small tell, but it's enough to let me know that he's starting to come around to my way of thinking. I can feel a sense of satisfaction wash over me, knowing that my plan is working.

"How do I know you will leave me alone after?"

"You don't. But there's one thing about me - I keep my promises. And that's a promise."