The Alliance by Shannon Stoker Page A

survivors to meet us there.
    â€”­The journal of Isaac Ryland
    The plane ride was a new experience for Andrew. The sensation of flight was so different when there were windows to view the skies. He sat in the back with the other bodyguards, while Mia and Madame Martineau were closer to the front. Albin sat in the middle, as if trapped between two stations. He was posing as Madame Martineau’s escort for the event.
    â€œI’ve never been in a plane before,” Carter said.
    â€œWe flew out here,” Zack said.
    â€œIt wasn’t like this,” Carter responded.
    â€œYou were in a helicopter once,” Andrew said.
    â€œThat didn’t end so well,” Carter said.
    Andrew had been too busy this past week to notice Carter’s moods, and apparently Carter had been too busy to remember that he was mad about something. He’d even forgotten about Carter’s insane proclamation that his dad was still alive. Last night Carter had been in good spirits and Andrew hoped that would continue. It made things easier.
    Things were good between Andrew and Mia too. After he’d promised not to keep her in the dark any longer she seemed more at ease around him. It was hard not to sit next to her now, but in the event the pilot or one of his staff walked around the positions needed to look legit.
    â€œIs there any word from Affinity?” Andrew asked. “Is the grand commander wearing the camera pin?”
    â€œHe’s wearing it,” Zack said. “But he hasn’t gone to the server yet, so no password. We’re confident he will. There are still more than two weeks.”
    Two weeks. It wasn’t that much time but it felt like an eternity. Andrew closed his eyes. In two weeks the whole world could change. He didn’t care about that as much as he cared about his personal world changing. Mia would have more time for them. They could be a ­couple, out in the open. As soon as the Registry was destroyed the group would retreat back to Affinity headquarters in Central America. Andrew knew there would be more missions, but Mia wouldn’t be as crucial a part. The two of them could start their lives together.
    â€œThen what?” Carter asked.
    â€œWho knows?” Zack asked. “Peace, hopefully.”
    Andrew scoffed. Peace was more of an idea than a plausible reality.
    â€œYou find that hard to believe?” Zack asked.
    Andrew did not want to explain his theories on the world. He hadn’t meant to make his disapproval audible.
    â€œEverything is random,” Andrew said. “I wouldn’t be here if Mia hadn’t tricked me into helping her in the first place. You wouldn’t be here if Mia hadn’t stumbled upon your website.”
    â€œWe have more control than you think,” Zack said.
    â€œWhat’s that supposed to mean?”
    â€œMia is important,” Zack said. “Too important to leave to chance.”
    Carter unbuckled his seat belt. Andrew thought he looked ill.
    â€œI’m going to the bathroom,” Carter said.
    Carter walked away before Andrew or Zack could comment.
    â€œThat kid has to get over Mia picking you over him,” Zack said.
    Andrew didn’t care about that at the moment. And he didn’t think that was what was bothering Carter.
    â€œAnswer the question,” he said. “How was it not by chance Mia contacted Affinity?”
    Zack fidgeted in his seat. Andrew glared at the man, not ready to let him off the hook.
    â€œI shouldn’t have said anything,” Zack said.
    â€œWell you did, so finish your thought,” Andrew replied.
    â€œAny person Mia tried to reach out to would have led to us,” Zack said. “She clicked on a link for a vacation, but that computer was wired for Affinity’s interception.”
    Everything was staged. Andrew had been lied to. Mia had been lied to. It didn’t make sense.
    â€œHow could you do that?”
    â€œWe have lots of