After fifteen years, I retired.
Not because I couldn't continue.
Because I wanted a different life.
I wanted mornings without emergency calls.
I wanted weekends with family.
I wanted peace.
So I left that world behind.
I never talked about it.
I never showed awards.
I never mentioned the missions.
The past stayed in the past.
Then I met Alexander Reed.
Alexander was everything people expected from a CEO's son.
Confident.
Successful.
Ambitious.
His father, Richard Reed, owned one of the largest technology companies in the region.
Alexander grew up surrounded by success.
Private schools.
Personal trainers.
Exclusive clubs.
From a young age, he was told he was destined to be exceptional.
And honestly…
He was talented.
His martial arts skills were impressive.
He trained harder than most people.
He had discipline.
But he also had something dangerous.
He believed talent made him superior.
I first met Alexander at his father's company.
I had been hired as a safety consultant for one of their new facilities.
During a conversation, someone mentioned that I trained martial arts.
Alexander overheard.
“You train?”