Mike didn’t believe in luck. If something went well, it was because you planned for it. If it didn’t, you were either an idiot or someone else was playing you.

  Right now, he was feeling a lot like an idiot.

  He crouched behind an abandoned truck, staring at the dimly lit road ahead. The quarry road was a long, dusty stretch leading to nowhere—perfect for an ambush. And yet, he was the one standing here with no plan, hoping Felix hadn’t sold him a fairy tale.

  A soft crunch of gravel behind him made him freeze.

  Mike turned, slow and deliberate.

  Amina stood there, arms crossed, eyebrow raised.

  "You look like an idiot," she said.

  "Thanks for the support."

  She smirked. "Tell me again why you thought coming here alone was a good idea?"

  Mike sighed. "Because I didn’t expect company."

  "Well, surprise," Amina said, stepping closer. "Felix called me."

  The narrative has been taken without permission. Report any sightings.

  Mike’s jaw tightened. "That bastard."

  "Relax," Amina said. "He figured you’d do something stupid and, shocker, he was right."

  Mike glanced back at the road. "This was supposed to be simple. Find the convoy, follow it, get intel."

  Amina rolled her eyes. "Yeah, because criminal operations always work on ‘simple.’"

  Mike ignored her, pulling binoculars from his jacket. "Convoy should be here any minute."

  Amina crouched beside him. "And then what? We just tail them like a couple of amateurs?"

  Mike didn’t answer. Mostly because he didn’t have a good one.

  Then, headlights appeared in the distance. Multiple.

  A convoy of three trucks rumbled down the road, flanked by two motorcycles. Dust billowed in their wake.

  Mike adjusted his grip on the binoculars. "There’s our shipment."

  Amina leaned in. "Okay, genius. What’s the plan?"

  Mike was about to respond when something felt off.

  The convoy slowed.

  Too soon.

  They weren’t at the checkpoint yet.

  Mike’s stomach sank. "They know we’re here."

  Amina barely had time to react before the first gunshot shattered the night.

  The dust exploded around them as bullets ripped through the silence.

  "Shit!" Mike grabbed Amina and dove behind the truck as gunfire tore into the metal.

  Amina pulled her pistol. "THIS was your plan?!"

  Mike fumbled for his own gun. "I didn’t expect them to be paranoid!"

  "You didn’t expect—oh my God, we’re gonna die because you’re an idiot!"

  Mike peeked around the truck and immediately ducked as a bullet grazed past. "We need a way out."

  Amina scanned the area. "The drainage tunnel—left side!"

  Mike followed her gaze. A narrow, concrete opening led under the road.

  "Great. Now how do we get there without getting ventilated?"

  Amina smirked. "Cover me."

  Before Mike could protest, she darted out, firing as she ran.

  Mike swore under his breath and followed.

  Bullets kicked up dirt behind them. Amina slid into the tunnel, and Mike dove in after her just as the gunfire intensified.

  They hit the ground, breathing hard.

  Mike glared at her. "Reckless much?"

  Amina grinned. "Says the guy who came here solo."

  Mike let out a breath. "Alright. New plan."

  Amina dusted herself off. "Yeah, let’s start with ‘not dying.’"

  From outside, a voice shouted orders.

  "They’re coming," Mike muttered.

  Amina checked her gun. "Good. I’m just getting warmed up."

  And as the first footsteps echoed down the tunnel, Mike realized something.

  Felix had definitely set him up.

  And this was only the beginning.