KALEIDOSCOPE ━ WADE WILSON

CHAPTER TWELVE

PLAYLIST:
i. superstition - stevie wonder
ii. bad reputation - joan jett
iii. holding out for a hero - bonnie tyler
iv. don't stop me now - queen
v. another one bites the dust - queen
vi. barracuda - heart

—

Wade jogged down the stairs of the apartment entrance, catching sight of Lucia just as she was about to round the corner. "Hey, Speedy Gonzales! Wait up!"

Lucia turned, her face a mix of surprise and annoyance. "Wade? What are you doing?"

He caught up to her, slightly out of breath. "I'm coming with you. Can't let you have all the fun, now can I?"

Lucia's eyes narrowed. "Did Ainoa put you up to this?"

Wade held up his hands in surrender. "Whoa there, tiger. This was my idea. Look, I know you can handle yourself, but having backup never hurts. Plus, I'm pretty good at spotting trouble. Comes with the whole mercenary gig."

Lucia hesitated, clearly torn between her desire for independence and the practical benefits of having Wade along. Finally, she sighed. "Fine. But you follow my lead, got it?"

Wade grinned, giving her a mock salute. "Yes, ma'am. So, where are we meeting this mysterious 'Grave' character?"

—

Wade and Lucia sat at a small table in the corner of the bustling coffee shop, both scanning the room with practiced nonchalance. Wade had already done a sweep of the place, checking for any suspicious characters or potential threats. So far, everything seemed normal – just the usual mix of students, professionals, and caffeine addicts.

"So, how exactly are we supposed to identify this 'Grave' character?" Wade asked, taking a sip of his ridiculously oversized latte. "Does he have a special handshake? A decoder ring? Ooh, maybe he'll do the Macarena!"

Lucia shot him an exasperated look. "He said he'd be wearing a red baseball cap and reading 'Catcher in the Rye.' And please, try to be a little less... you."

Wade clutched his chest in mock offense. "Less me? But I'm the whole package! Witty banter, stunning good looks, and a body that just won't quit. What more could you ask for in a partner?"

"Focus, maybe?" Lucia muttered.

Just then, a man fitting the description entered the coffee shop. He was in his late thirties, with a weathered face and sharp eyes that methodically scanned the room. His movements were fluid and controlled, suggesting military or combat training.

"Showtime," Wade whispered, his demeanor instantly shifting from playful to alert.

Lucia took a deep breath and stood up, catching the man's eye. He nodded almost imperceptibly and approached their table with casual confidence.

"Grave?" Lucia asked quietly.

The man slid into the seat across from them. "And you must be Whisper," he said, using Lucia's online handle. His eyes flicked to Wade, assessing. "I wasn't expecting company."

"Oh, don't mind me," Wade grinned, leaning back in his chair. "I'm just the eye candy. And the muscle. And the comic relief. Really, I wear many hats."

Lucia kicked him under the table. "He's with me," she said firmly. "Now, you said you had information about Project Phoenix?"

Grave nodded, his posture relaxed but alert. "Yes, but let's keep this brief. Lingering too long isn't wise in our line of work."

Wade's respect for the man notched up a bit. "Alright, buddy. Why don't you start by telling us something we don't already know about Project Phoenix? Just to prove you're the real deal."