The atmosphere inside Rafael Navarro's office was heavy. The massive floor-to-ceiling windows overlooked the sky but neither Rafael nor Caleb spared the city a glance because business always came before scenery.
A large digital map glowed on the wall in front of Rafael's desk. There were several red markers blinking across different parts of Mexico.
Shipping routes.
Warehouses.
Distribution centers.
Safe houses.
Caleb stood before the screen with a remote in one hand.
"The Monterrey shipment arrived six hours ahead of schedule."
Rafael remained seated behind his desk, scanning a financial report. "Is that the only information you've got for me?"
"The northern route is becoming too predictable, Cassimo's men hijacked our last shipment on its way to Montreal and made away with a reasonable amount of grenades and ammunition" Caleb said.
Rafael didn't look up. "It has always been predictable."
Caleb frowned. "Cassimo knows that."
"He knows a lot of things." Rafael said.
"But not everything."
Rafael finally raised his eyes. "Explain."
Caleb pressed another button and the map shifted.
Three routes appeared. Blue. Yellow. Red.
"The blue route is the safest."
Rafael shook his head immediately. "Wrong."
Caleb blinked. "The safest route is the one nobody expects."
Another click of the remote. "The yellow route?"
"No."
"The red?"
"No."
Caleb sighed. "Then which one?"
Rafael stood and walked toward the digital map. He stopped before the screen and placed his finger between two highways.
"Here."
Caleb frowned. "There's nothing there, it isn't even paved."
"Exactly."
"Our trucks won't fit."
"They don't need to."
Caleb looked confused.
Rafael finally turned toward him. "Listen Caleb, we're thinking like businessmen, Cassimo thinks like a criminal and he is really trying to get back at us after what happened with Ortega."
A pause.
"He'll expect us to protect our shipment, we will protect information instead."
Understanding slowly crossed Caleb's face.
"You want to split the convoy."
Rafael nodded once."Three trucks, one carries the shipment and other two carry empty containers."
Caleb's eyebrows rose."He'll attack the wrong truck."
"If he gets that far."
The office became quiet. Caleb couldn't deny it.
It was brilliant, efficient and very Rafael.
"I'll inform Logistics."
Rafael folded his arms. "No, only the team leaders"
Caleb looked surprised.
"What about everyone else?"
"The fewer people who know.....the fewer people can sell us."
Just then, a vibration broke the silence. It was Rafael's phone.
He glanced at the screen. It was Marco, his head of Security.
He answered immediately. "Speak."
Marco's voice came through the phone. "Boss, the car is ready,the convoy is ready, the route is clear, we're waiting on your order."
Rafael looked toward the clock. "I'll be there."
Marco paused. "Boss?"
"I'm taking the convoy myself."
A brief silence. "Understood Boss"
The call ended and Rafael slipped the phone back into his pocket.
Caleb frowned. "Something wrong?"
"No." Rafael replied as he reached for his jacket. "We'll continue this later."
Caleb crossed his arms. "What happened?"
"I'm leaving."
"So suddenly?"
Rafael buttoned his jacket. "I'm taking Isabella to see her father."
Caleb stared at him in disbelief. Then laughed once.
"You're joking."
Rafael picked up his car keys. "I don't joke."
Caleb's smile disappeared. "You've got a convoy, you've got security, you've got drivers."
"I know."
"Then why the hell are you going yourself?"
Rafael looked at him. "Because I want to." The answer came to him immediately.
Caleb scoffed. "So now we're rearranging schedules because of her?"
Rafael walked toward the door.
"Finish reviewing the Monterrey reports and notify the team leaders on the plan of action"
"I'm talking to you."
"So am I."
Caleb's jaw tightened. "This isn't like you."
Rafael stopped. "Do as I say" Then continued walking.
Behind him Caleb spoke again.
"You're becoming soft."
The words echoed through the office. Rafael turned, his expression remained perfectly calm.
"If I were becoming soft.....you'd be the first person to notice, this isn't it"
Their eyes locked and then Rafael opened the door.
"We'll finish this meeting later." And the door closed leaving Caleb alone.
He remained standing exactly where he was. His thoughts refused to settle. Rafael wasn't soft but... He was definitely changing. And Caleb wasn't sure he liked it.
.....
The convoy was already assembled in front of the Navarro Mansion. Three black armored SUVs stood in a neat line.
Two additional escort vehicles idled nearby.
More than a dozen heavily armed guards checked radios, weapons and communication devices.
Everything appeared routine.
Just then, the gates opened, Rafael drove in and everyone stood straighter.
"Boss." Marco approached immediately. "Everything's ready."
Rafael nodded. "Good and "Mrs. Navarro?"
"She's coming."
As if on cue, the front doors opened and Isabella stepped outside. She wore a simple cream-colored dress beneath a light cardigan. It was nothing extravagant but yet, she looked beautiful enough to make several guards lower their eyes respectfully.
She scanned the driveway. The convoy. The guards. The vehicles.
This was far more security than she'd imagined. Her heart beat faster. She was finally going to see her father.
After all these weeks... She could hardly believe it.
Marco opened the rear passenger door of the lead SUV.
"This way, Mrs. Navarro."
She smiled nervously. "Thank you."
She climbed inside and fastened her seat belt. The leather seats were surprisingly comfortable.
She glanced toward the front. The driver's seat remained empty.
Several minutes passed and the engine remained off.
She leaned forward slightly.
"Excuse me..." She said as she leaned towards the window.
The soldier standing outside looked through the open window. "Yes, Mrs. Navarro?"
"Aren't we leaving?"
He smiled politely. "We're waiting for El Diablo."
Her brows came together in confusion. "But isn't he at work?"
The driver seemed confused but replied anyway. "The boss is leading today's convoy himself."
Before Isabella could ask another question, the driver's door opened and Rafael slid into the seat.
Without another word, the soldier stepped aside.
Rafael adjusted the mirrors enough to make sure he sn ee Isabella from it, checked the dashboard and started the engine.
Isabella stared at him in confusion.
"I.....I thought.....I thought you had important work today"
He fastened his seat belt and rested his hand on the steering wheel. "I do."
She waited. "So..."
He glanced briefly toward her. "This is important too."
Something about the way he said it made her chest tighten and a tiny smile flash across her face. Not because it sounded romantic. It didn't. It was just the thought of him leaving work to do something as petty as driving her to see her dad.
She looked away before he could notice the strange warmth creeping into her face.
Outside, Marco raised a hand. The convoy engines roared to life.
One by one, the cars drove out of the gates of the Navarro estate.
Behind Rafael, the remaining vehicles followed in perfect formation.
The journey had begun and Isabella couldn't wait to see her father.