Adrian smiled.
"Deal."
Marcus discovered the truth in a locked archive beneath the hotel.
The files were hidden inside an old server room.
Anna Hale's name appeared on dozens of documents.
She had not been merely a civilian.
She had been an intelligence analyst.
She had helped Marcus during several missions.
She had also discovered something terrifying.
The Meridian project was not designed to track soldiers.
It was designed to control them.
Former operators were being monitored.
Their families were being tracked.
Their financial records were manipulated.
Their medical information was collected.
Anyone who threatened the organization could simply disappear.
Anna had attempted to expose it.
That was when she became a target.
Marcus sat in the dark reading the files.
His hands shook.
His wife's death had not been natural.
Someone had poisoned her.
He had spent six years believing he had lost her.
The truth was worse.
She had been murdered because she tried to protect him.
A voice came from behind him.
"Now you understand."
Marcus turned.
Victor Kane stood in the doorway.
Marcus reached for his weapon.
Victor raised both hands.
"I'm not here to fight."
"Then why are you here?"
"To finish what Anna started."
Victor handed him a small drive.
"Everything is on there."
Marcus took it.
"Why help me?"
Victor looked away.
"Because Anna saved my life once."
Marcus stared at him.
"She never told me."
"She wouldn't."
"Why?"
"Because she knew you would come after us."
Marcus understood.
Anna had sacrificed herself to keep him alive.
He closed his eyes.
Then he whispered:
"I'm sorry."
Victor said nothing.
Suddenly, gunfire erupted outside.
The final assault had begun.
The attackers took control of the hotel.
Guests were evacuated.
Security systems failed.
The elevators stopped.
Marcus knew the building better than anyone.
He had spent years repairing it.
Every service corridor.
Every emergency stairwell.
Every hidden access point.
He knew them all.
Adrian stood beside him.
"You sure this is a good idea?"
"No."
Adrian smiled.
"At least you're honest."
Marcus handed him a radio.
"You stay with the guests."
"What about you?"
"I'm going upstairs."
"Alone?"
Marcus looked at him.
"Not anymore."
Adrian followed.
They moved through the hotel.
Adrian handled the physical confrontations.
Marcus handled the strategy.
For the first time, their strengths worked together.
The arrogant black belt had learned restraint.
The quiet maintenance man had learned he didn't have to carry everything alone.
They reached the roof.
Waiting there was the head of the Meridian project.
His name was Elias Ward.
He smiled.
"Marcus Hale."
Marcus stepped forward.
"You killed my wife."
Ward shrugged.
"She made a choice."
"You killed her."
"She endangered the program."
Marcus's fists tightened.
Adrian stepped beside him.
Ward laughed.
"You brought a fighter?"
Adrian smiled.
"No."
He looked at Marcus.
"He brought me."
The fight began.
Adrian engaged Ward's bodyguards.
Marcus moved toward Ward.
Ward was older but highly trained.
They exchanged blows.
Marcus refused to lose control.
He remembered Sophie's face.
He remembered Anna.