Corner market. Same hour. Same routine.
But today, Nico arrives five minutes early. Not by accident.
He leans against the far wall, blending in like a shadow in a worn jacket, baseball cap low over his eyes. No eye contact. No movement. Just presence.
At exactly 11:57, the man appears. Civilian clothes. Grey hoodie, frayed cuffs. He doesn't speak. Doesn't even make eye contact. Just walks past, smooth as fog, and drops a sealed manila envelope on the table beside Nico's coffee. Then he walks out the door.
No exchange. No signal. Nothing to trace.
Nico waits a full minute. Then he picks up the envelope, slides it under his jacket, and finishes his coffee like nothing happened.
Ten minutes later, he's in his apartment—barebones, unremarkable, just like him. The envelope is opened with precision, not hesitation. Inside:
One typed dossier
Three photos, high-resolution
He reads the file first.
SUBJECT FILE: SERINA MONTIEL
AGE: 25
DOB: March 19, 2000
NATIONALITY: Mexican-American
KNOWN ALIASES: La Reina, Saint Serina , Madam Montiel
CURRENT POSITION:
De facto head of the Montiel crime syndicate, estimated net worth over $150M from laundering, arms, narcotics, and contract operations. Primary base of operations: Eastside sector. Secondary: Unknown offshore holdings. Closest known subordinate: Kade Valen — trusted lieutenant and suspected enforcer.
FAMILY HISTORY:
Daughter of Miguel Montiel (deceased), former cartel head. Mother (name withheld) presumed dead. Three older brothers—confirmed deceased under suspicious but unresolved circumstances over a two-year span. Cause of death: various (automobile "accident," overdose, unconfirmed drowning). Pattern suggests internal power struggle. Evidence indicates Serina systematically eliminated all rivals to claim the throne.
PSYCHOLOGICAL PROFILE:
Unstable affect masked by extreme control. Highly intelligent. Demonstrates disassociative behaviors consistent with trauma-linked psychopathy. Zero emotional attachment reported by insiders. Charismatic, manipulative, and reportedly capable of extreme violence with minimal provocation.
THREAT LEVEL: Classified. Handle with extreme caution. Subject is aware of surveillance patterns and likely has moles in local enforcement.
REMARKS:
Avoid direct contact unless absolutely necessary. If approached, do not engage without backup. Subject is a known seductress with a history of using romantic involvement for leverage and elimination. Psychological manipulation is her primary weapon.
The last item is a set of three photos.
One: Serina in a blood-red dress, heels high, eyes like smoke.
Two: Her posing in front of her car.
Three: A surveillance still—her smiling. Not posed. Not for anyone. Just a smile. That one bothers him most.
Nico leans back in the chair. Reads the file again.
Then, under his breath, dry and amused:
"Interesting."
He slides the photos back into the envelope, eyes lingering on the last one. The smile.
Then his burner phone buzzes once. Unknown number. No caller ID.
He picks it up. Listens.
A voice: low, female, amused.
"You're not nearly as invisible as you think, Agent Sloane."
A pause. Then, even softer:
"Did you like the pictures?"
The line goes dead.
And Nico doesn't move. Doesn't blink.
Just smiles back at the silence.
The burner phone buzzes once. Unknown number. No caller ID.
He picks it up. Listens.
A voice: low, female, amused.
"Did you like the pictures?"
The line goes dead.
And Nico doesn't move. Doesn't blink.
Just smiles back at the silence.