First take

Day 17

I woke up to the soft morning light filtering through the curtains, and the first thing I felt was a dull ache in my muscles. Training had been relentless, and every morning since Day 2 was a struggle to leave the comfort of the bed. But today was different.

Today, I wasn’t training. I was stepping into something bigger.

Sitting up, I stretched my arms and glanced around. Sebastian wasn’t in the room, as usual. He had probably left earlier for his own tasks. My eyes fell on the shopping bag he’d placed on the small table beside his side of the bed. It had been there for days, untouched, but I didn’t have the time or energy to check it out now.

I pushed myself out of bed and headed to the bathroom. The warm water did little to ease the tension in my shoulders, but it helped me shake off the lingering fatigue. Once dressed in my freshly pressed suit—a tailored deep blue ensemble—I felt a little more alive.

This was the day Sebastian had prepared me for. My first meeting outside the compound.

When I stepped into the hallway, my heels clicking softly against the floor, I found Sebastian waiting. He was standing near the stairs, giving instructions to a few men before turning to me. His eyes softened as he saw me approach.

“You look good,” he said, his voice calm yet approving.

“Thanks,” I replied, my nerves bubbling just beneath the surface.

He gave me a small smile. “Evander is waiting downstairs. You’ll be going with him. It’s a meeting with someone important, someone who’s been a key part of my operations for years. Listen, observe, and learn. This will be different from the compound. You’ll see what it’s like out there.”

I nodded, his words grounding me.

“And one more thing,” he added. “This man is someone I trust, but no one else knows about him—not even El Rado. Keep that in mind.”

The mention of El Rado sent a ripple of unease through me, but I didn’t let it show. “Understood.”

With that, Sebastian stepped away, leaving me to meet Evander.

Evander stood near the car, looking as sharp as ever in a red monkey jacket. His demeanor was lighthearted, but there was an air of professionalism about him that was hard to miss.

“Yo!” he greeted, flashing me a grin.

“Hey,” I said, returning his smile. “So, you’re my escort today?”

“Well, let’s just say you’re mine,” he quipped, holding the door open for me. “We’re a duo today.”

I laughed softly and slipped into the driver’s seat. The car still felt like a dream—a sleek Porsche 911 Turbo S, with its ice-grey exterior glinting in the sunlight.

Evander joined me, shutting the door behind him. “Pretty nice ride, right?”

I started the car, the engine growling to life. “It feels good,” I admitted, unable to suppress my grin.

As I pulled out of the compound and onto the open road, Evander leaned back, his arms crossed casually. “So, what are we doing?” I asked, glancing at him briefly.

“We’re going to see someone important to Sebastian,” he said, his tone shifting to something more serious. “He’s in charge of all the grasslands, farms, rivers, and lakes that Sebastian owns. He’s a key player in the operation, but he works in absolute secrecy. No one, apart from a select few, knows about him. Not even El Rado.”

The weight of his words settled over me. The fact that El Rado, Sebastian’s own brother, was excluded from this knowledge spoke volumes.

“Why the secrecy?” I asked.

Evander smirked. “Because Sebastian knows how to keep his assets safe. This guy handles everything quietly and efficiently, and he brings in half of Sebastian’s revenue. The shipments come every six months, but this man’s work keeps things running in between.”

I nodded, absorbing the information. “He sounds like an asset,” I said.

“He is,” Evander confirmed.

The conversation lulled as we hit the highway, and that’s when I let myself indulge a little. My foot pressed harder on the gas pedal, the car surging forward with a roar. I switched lanes effortlessly, the thrill of the speed coursing through me.

Evander glanced at me, his eyebrows raised. “I see you’ve picked up a thing or two from Sebastian.”

I laughed, the sound light and carefree. “Maybe. Or maybe I’ve always had it in me.”

He chuckled, shaking his head. “Well, remind me to stay on your good side. You’re a menace on the road.”

The miles flew by in a blur, the Porsche gliding across the asphalt like a predator on the hunt. For the first time in a long time, I felt free.

The gates of the estate came into view, towering and imposing. Beyond them lay sprawling fields of green, stretching as far as the eye could see.

As we approached, I eased off the gas, the car slowing to a smooth stop. A guard stepped forward, nodding as Evander rolled down his window.

“We’re here to see the caretaker,” Evander said simply.

The guard nodded, stepping aside to let us through.

I drove up the long, winding driveway, my eyes scanning the picturesque surroundings. It was serene, almost otherworldly. The kind of place that felt untouched by the chaos of the outside world.

We parked near a modest but well-maintained house at the edge of the fields. Evander stepped out first, gesturing for me to follow.

“Ready?” he asked, his tone light but serious.

“As ready as I’ll ever be,” I replied, taking a deep breath.