THIRTY-EIGHT

MIGUEL’S POV

After meeting with our inside guy, he confirmed that the shipment was indeed in the custody of Don Pablo. For almost a week, we've been planning on how to get back our shipment from the South Coast cartels—one of the deadliest.

Joe wasn’t present, I guess he was still on Kiera’s assignment.

The dim light of the basement flickered ominously, casting long shadows across the cluttered table at the center of the room. Papers lay scattered, weapons glinting in the low light, and half-empty glasses sat like forgotten sentinels. I leaned over the map, the weight of our situation pressing down on me.

Don Pablo wasn’t playing nice, and I wouldn’t let him get away with it. I could feel my heart pounding, anger running in my veins for the fool he tried to make out of me.

“The shipment is ours for the taking,” I said, my fingers tracing the route to the docks.

Javier’s voice cut through, “What about Joe? We can’t commence without him.”

I waved a hand dismissively, “We’ll fill him whe