“Relax. You’re not going to war. Nobody’s sending you into chaos. You’re working with people who understand risks. Rest assured that routes are planned carefully. We watcheverything. So if something even looks off, we shut it down before it becomes a problem.”
He reached over and patted my shoulder reassuringly. “You won’t be out there alone the way you think you will. But out here? Being prepared keeps people alive.”
That wasn’t exactly comforting, but it was honest. And for some reason, honesty made it easier to accept.
I nodded slowly. “Okay.”
Marcos studied me for a moment, almost impressed. “Good… because panicking ain’t useful in this line of work.”
I folded my arms slightly, still staring at the weapon.
“Still,” he added, his tone firm now. “You carry it.”
“I’ve never shot a gun before, though,” I admitted, a tinge of embarrassment creeping into my voice.
“That’s fine,” Marcos replied calmly. “Hopefully, you never have to.” He snapped the case shut decisively. “But hope ain’t a plan.”
I hesitated for a second before the question finally slipped out. “So… when exactly will I know what I’m transporting? Or will I ever know?” I asked, studying his face for any tell-tale sign ofthe truth. “Because right now I’m just guessing. Drugs? Money? Something illegal, obviously. It’s too secretive for it not to be.” I exhaled. “I’m not asking so I can go run my mouth. I just want to know what kind of situation I’m walking into.”
Marcos rubbed the side of his nose, a thoughtful gesture before stepping closer to me. Not threatening exactly, but close enough to reinforce the boundaries of this world I was stepping into.
“You ever heard the phrase,‘If I tell you, I’d have to kill you?’”
I nodded slowly.
“Yeah… that applies right here.”
My stomach twisted uncomfortably.
“It’s not personal, Ajori, it’s just business. I don’t know you well enough to trust you with details like that… not yet.”
“So I’m just supposed to drive blind?”
“For now,” he said with a small shrug, his expression unreadable. “Eventually, when the time’s right, you’ll know what you need to know.”
His eyes hardened just a little.
“Until then, treat it like any other drive. You do that, Ajori, and we’ll get along just fine.”
That job was starting to feel a lot bigger than I originally thought.
Marcos tapped the gun case. “Just like that phone, guard this motherfucker like it’s your social security number and your last dollar.”
I exhaled slowly.
Marcos leaned forward, and the shift in his tone made the room feel colder. “Now listen carefully, Ajori.” His eyes locked on mine. “If you fuck up, you’re done… and I don’t mean fired. This isn’t a nine-to-five job. You mess up, you don’t just lose employment, you loseeverything.”
Every nerve in my body tightened.
Inside, my brain was yellingWhat the hell did you sign up for?But my face stayed calm.
Marcos sat back again. “Just follow instructionsexactly. You drive from point A to point B exactly how you’re told. Keep your head straight, keep your mouth shut, no questions, no sightseeing, no detours, and don’t godiggingwhere you weren’t invited. Look at the bright side, if this works out the way I think it will, you’re about to make more money than you ever have in your life.”
And for the first time since I walked in that warehouse… I believed him.
I took a breath and nodded.
He tapped the table once. “Anything else you want to ask before you get on the road? No question is a dumb question.”