The warehouse smelled of oil, dust, and burnt gunpowder.

"Move!" Alejandro's voice echoed through the building as another burst of gunfire shattered the silence. You didn't hesitate. Your shoulder slammed into the steel door, forcing it open just enough for Valeria to slip a flashbang inside. The explosion lit the room white for a heartbeat before the three of you stormed in like a practiced machine. You covered the left. Alejandro took the center. Valeria cleared the right.

No wasted movement. No unnecessary words. Years of training had turned instinct into something sharper than thought itself. When the room finally fell silent, Alejandro let out a tired laugh.

"One day you're going to stop charging through doors first."

You smirked, lowering your rifle.

"And ruin your dramatic entrances?"

Valeria rolled her eyes, though the corner of her mouth betrayed a smile.

"You two are insufferable."

For a brief moment, there were no cartels.

No politics. No betrayals. Just three soldiers who trusted each other enough to put their lives in one another's hands. Back then,none of you knew how quickly that trust would become another casualty of war.

FLASBACK ENDE

Present Day. Las Almas hadn't changed. The streets were still loud. The air still carried the scent of gasoline, spices, and smoke Only the people had. You stepped out of the armored SUV, boots meeting cracked pavement as your eyes wandered across the familiar compound. Years had passed since you'd walked away from the unit.

Years since everything fell apart. Intel had brought you back nothing more. At least, that was what you kept telling yourself. A familiar voice cut through the courtyard.

"I was beginning to think you'd turned the offer down."

Alejandro Vargas.

He looked older than you remembered. More tired. The weight of command sat heavier on his shoulders now, but his posture hadn't changed. Neither had the way he watched every exit before focusing entirely on you. For a moment, neither of you spoke. There was too much history for a simple greeting. Then another pair of footsteps echoed from behind.

"You always were late."

Valeria.

Elegant as ever, dressed with the same effortless confidence that once made allies underestimate her just as often as enemies did. Her gaze lingered on you for a second longer than necessary.

"You disappeared."

"You didn't come looking."

A quiet silence settled between the three of you. Alejandro exhaled through his nose.

"Can we save the reunion for after we stop another war?"

Valeria crossed her arms.

"I wasn't the one making this dramatic."

"You never are" Alejandro muttered. Despite yourself, a small smile tugged at your lips. Some things, apparently, never changed. Others had changed so much that the three people standing in the courtyard barely resembled the team that had once cleared buildings together without a second thought. The mission waiting ahead wouldn't care about old loyalties. But ghosts rarely stayed buried. And Las Almas had a way of making the past catch up with everyone.