I AM THE KNIFE
The night was cool and still as we stood in the shadows, just outside the perimeter of Don Luciano’s mansion. The air was thick with anticipation. We had spent weeks planning this operation, and now it was time to execute.
“Remember, stick to the plan,” I whispered to my crew. “i move in fast and quiet, and then I meet with my father.”
Rat Face, Raven, Red Head Junkie, the Mamba Brothers, Behemoth, and Evander all nodded, their expressions set and determined. We had practiced this maneuver countless times, but the reality of infiltrating one of the most heavily guarded mansions in Mexico City was daunting.
We moved as one unit, slipping through the shadows and avoiding the security cameras. Raven had already taken out the cameras in our entry path with her sniper rifle, ensuring our approach was undetected.
“Rat Face, you’re up,” I whispered.
He grinned and pulled out a small device, setting it against the mansion’s back gate. Within seconds, there was a soft click, and the gate swung open. We slipped through, moving quickly and silently.
The mansion’s gardens were sprawling and meticulously maintained. We stuck to the shadows, avoiding the well-lit pathways and guards on patrol. Rat Face set up small explosive devices in strategic locations, ready to create distractions if necessary.
As we neared the mansion itself, I took a deep breath. It was time to switch roles. I pulled out the mask and invitation card from my pocket—both taken from a man who had spoken too highly of my father. The mask party was my ticket inside. The man had been arrogant, praising my father in ways that made my blood boil. I had confronted him, and when he insulted me, comparing me unfavorably to my father, I snapped. Killing him had been easy; it was the cleanup that took time.
I donned the mask and adjusted my suit, blending seamlessly with the other guests arriving for the party. The atmosphere was lively, with laughter and music filling the air. I handed the invitation to the guard at the door, who glanced at it briefly before waving me in.
Inside, the mansion was a spectacle of opulence. Chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting a warm glow over the elegantly dressed guests. I navigated the crowd, keeping my movements casual but deliberate. I needed to reach the main office where Don Luciano kept his most important documents.
As I made my way through the grand hall, I noticed someone watching me. A man in a mask, standing near the bar, his eyes never leaving me. I recognized him instantly—my half-brother, El Rado. We shared the same father but different mothers, and our relationship had always been alright but I am not so close to him, he did help me though and that I would never forget.
El Rado followed me everywhere, his presence a constant shadow. I knew I couldn’t avoid him forever, so I decided to confront him in a quieter part of the mansion. Finding a secluded corner, I turned to face him.
“Why are you following me?” I asked, my voice low.
He removed his mask, revealing a face filled with curiosity and suspicion. “I knew there was something strange about you,” he said. “You don’t belong here.”
I sighed, removing my own mask. “It’s been a long time, El Rado.”
His eyes widened in shock. “Sebastian? You’re alive? Everyone thought you were dead. You’re hardly recognizable.”
“I’ve been through a lot,” I replied, my tone flat. “But I’m here now.”
“What are you doing here?” he asked, his face suddenly serious.
I met his gaze, my expression cold. “It’s the dawn of our father, and I am the knife.”
El Rado’s eyes widened in understanding. “You’re here to kill him.”
“Yes,” I said simply. “It’s too late for family bonds. Our father has done too much damage.”
He hesitated, his expression conflicted. “I hate him too, Sebastian. He’s treated my mother terribly. But are you sure this is the way?”
“There’s no other way,” I said, my voice hard. “I don’t want you getting involved. Leave the building. Tonight will be bloody.”
El Rado looked at me, his eyes filled with a mixture of sorrow and resolve. “I’ll go, but if you need help, I’ll be there.”
“Thank you,” I said, genuinely touched. “Now go.”
He nodded and slipped away, disappearing into the crowd.
I continued my ascent to the lush veranda where my father was. The path was clear until I reached the grand staircase leading to the upper floors. There, standing like a sentinel, was my father’s top bodyguard. His presence was imposing, and his eyes were cold and calculating.
“You’re not supposed to be here,” he said, his voice a deep rumble.
I looked at his tag.
I recognized the name instantly. This was Evander’s father, a man of few words but great loyalty. “I’m a guest,” I said, trying to keep my tone neutral.
He didn’t move, his eyes narrowing. “I don’t recognize you.”
Before I could respond, El Rado appeared beside me, his face calm but determined. “Don’t harass my guest,” he said to the bodyguard with a casual smile.
The bodyguard’s eyes flicked between us, suspicion etched on his face. “This isn’t your place, El Rado.”
El Rado stepped forward, his voice firm. “I’m the son of the man you serve. You have no right to ignore my rules.” He said his eyes fierce, his countenance somewhat intimidating.
The tension was palpable, the silence heavy. Finally, the bodyguard stepped aside, allowing us to pass. El Rado gave me a brief nod, his eyes conveying a silent message of support.
“Thank you,” I whispered, as we continued up the stairs.
With each step, my heart pounded harder. The lush veranda was within reach, and so was my father. The mansion’s opulence faded into the background as my focus narrowed to a single point: the confrontation that would change everything.
We reached the top of the stairs, and El Rado stopped. “This is as far as I can go,” he said. “Be careful, Sebastian.”
I nodded, taking a deep breath. “I will.”
As I approached the doors to the veranda, I could hear the faint sounds of laughter and conversation. My father’s voice was among them, commanding and arrogant. I steeled myself, pushing the doors open.
Inside, the scene was one of luxury and decadence. My father sat at the head of a long table, surrounded by his most trusted advisors and allies. He looked up as I entered, his eyes narrowing but then he was called by one of his guests, but just from that I knew he knew something was off so I took my time.
I ignored him and continued walking, my eyes scanning the room. The lush veranda was filled with guests, all dressed in their finest attire, masks hiding their identities. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfumes and cigars.
As I moved through the crowd, I felt the weight of their gazes upon me. They watched with a mixture of curiosity and suspicion, their whispers filling the air. I kept my expression neutral, focusing on my objective.
The veranda itself was a masterpiece of opulence. Plush carpets lined the floor, and intricate tapestries adorned the walls. The chandeliers overhead cast a warm, golden glow, illuminating the room in a soft, luxurious light.
My eyes locked onto my father once more. He was still standing, his gaze fixed on me. I could see the wheels turning in his mind, I knew he knew this was not his average guest anymore.
I walked around the veranda, taking in the scene. The guests were engaged in various conversations, oblivious to the tension that hung in the air. Servants moved gracefully among them, offering drinks and hors d'oeuvres.
The veranda extended to a balcony, overlooking the sprawling gardens below. The night air was cool and refreshing, a stark contrast to the heavy atmosphere inside. I paused for a moment, taking in the view.
As I turned back, I noticed El Rado watching me from a distance. Our eyes met, and he gave me a subtle nod. I knew he was ready to assist if needed, but this was something I had to do on my own.
I continued my walk, weaving through the crowd. My father’s advisors and allies greeted me with polite nods, their eyes filled with curiosity. They didn’t recognize me, but they sensed that I was someone of importance.
The tension in the room was palpable, but I remained calm. I had spent years preparing for this moment, and I was ready. I knew the layout of the mansion, the location of the guards, and the best escape routes.
Finally, I made my way back to the center of the veranda. My father was still watching me, his expression a mixture of anger and confusion. I met his gaze, my own eyes cold and determined.
This was just the beginning. The dawn of a new era. And I was the knife that would carve out our future.