The warehouse smelled like dust, gasoline, and ocean air.

Vivienne stood near the long metal table with the others, arms folded, posture loose and effortless like she belonged here. Like she had always belonged here.

Across the room, Valeria Garza leaned over a spread of maps pinned beneath harsh industrial lights.

“Las patrullas militares se movieron al oeste,” Valeria said, tapping the map. The military patrols moved west. “Creen que usaremos la autopista otra vez. No lo haremos.” They think we’ll use the highway again. We won’t.

Low murmurs of approval filled the room.

Vivienne stayed quiet, eyes moving carefully from face to face, memorizing everything without ever looking like she was memorizing anything.

Valeria straightened and turned.

Her gaze landed on Vivienne.

“Estás muy callada esta noche,” she said. You’re very quiet tonight.

Vivienne shrugged lightly. “Escucho más de lo que hablo. La gente revela cosas cuando cree que nadie presta atención.” I listen more than I talk. People reveal things when they think no one’s paying attention.

A few of the cartel members chuckled.

Valeria didn’t. She walked closer instead.

Up close, her presence felt heavier. Sharper.

“Predijiste la última redada,” Valeria said quietly. “Nos ahorraste muchos problemas.” You predicted the last raid. You saved us a lot of trouble.

Vivienne gave a small smirk. “Suerte.” Luck.

Valeria tilted her head slightly. “No.” A pause. “No fue suerte.” No. That wasn’t luck.

Silence stretched tight like wire.

Vivienne held her gaze, calm. Relaxed. Unbothered.

“If you think I’m psychic,” she said lightly, switching back to English, “I expect a raise.”

Laughter broke the tension around the table.

Valeria’s lips almost curved. Almost.

She turned back to the map.

“Mañana movemos el cargamento. Nueva ruta. Solo las personas en esta sala lo saben.” Tomorrow we move the shipment. New route. Only the people in this room know about it.

Vivienne nodded along with the others, locking every word into memory.

Time. Route. Personnel.

Everything Alejandro needed.

Chairs scraped. Boots echoed. The meeting dissolved.

“Vivienne.”

She stopped.

Everyone else kept walking.

The warehouse suddenly felt too big.

Too quiet.

Vivienne turned back. “¿Sí?”

Valeria studied her for a long moment.

“No confío fácilmente en la gente,” she said. I don’t trust people easily.

A beat.

“Pero has sido útil.”

Another pause.

“Mañana quédate cerca de mí. Quiero que estés conmigo.” Tomorrow stay close to me. I want you with me.

Vivienne’s pulse spiked for half a second before she forced it steady.

Closer meant better intel. Closer meant greater risk.

She nodded once. “Entendido.”

Valeria held her gaze a moment longer, searching for something buried under layers Vivienne had perfected hiding.

Then she gave a short nod and walked away.

Vivienne waited until the warehouse doors slammed shut before finally exhaling.

Tomorrow’s message would be the biggest one yet.