19
~Alex's POV
Hassan met me in his opulent study, a sprawling room with gilded ceilings and ornate furniture that reeked of excess. He rose as I entered, extending a hand.
"Alex, my friend," he said, his voice warm but cautious. "I'm grateful you've come."
I shook his hand briefly and sat down across from him. "Spare me the pleasantries. Let's get to work."
Hassan nodded, gesturing to Khalid, who stood silently by the door. Khalid placed a tablet on the table, and a digital map sprang to life, displaying the route for the shipment. Red markers indicated potential points of ambush.
"The shipment will move from our storage facility here," Hassan said, pointing to a location near the coast, "to a secure drop-off point across the border. The convoy will consist of six armored trucks and two escort vehicles."
"Six trucks?" I asked, raising an eyebrow. "That's a lot of firepower in one place. You're making yourself a target."
