I want you to know that whatever happens, you are not alone. Kyle chose me and now I’m choosing Tanner.”

Saying that out loud, takes the breath from my lungs but lucky for me there’s more. I need her to know everything.

“It’s always been you for me Kinsley, and it’s one of my biggest regrets not telling you sooner. But I made a promise to look after you, to be there for you and I would like to believe every decision I have made has had your best interests in mind.”

Maybe it’s the nerves, but I can’t control it, unexpected laughter fills the car.

“When I get back, because I am coming back, please just don’t let Tanner hit me. This isn’t some declaration of love where I come and try to sweep you off your feet. I don’t want anything to change between us. I just — I just couldn’t walk into the unknown without telling you how I feel. Please don’t ever forget. It’s always been you.”

I take a shaky breath as realisation hits me, the words tumbling out before I can think them through.

“— the only reason you’ll be seeing this is if something does happen and in that case, please just breathe for me. Right now, Meadow, look at me — breathe. I don’t know what waits on the other side but whatever it is and wherever I end up, I will spend my entire existence searching for you. I will find you again.”

I stop the recording, rubbing the sweat from my palms onto my jeans. Woah. That was a lot. Head back in the game, Jesse.

I insert the discreet earpiece and send off my final text message to Tanner before powering off my phone.

Seconds later Tanner is in my ear. “Jesse?”

“Let the fun begin,” I say lightheartedly, I can feel Tanner scowling me from here. “Lighten up, T.”

“Remember,” he says. “If I haven’t heard from you by 6am, I’m coming in.”

“6am, got it.” I pause. “Hey Tanner — Look after her.”

“6am, Jesse.”

There is a dirt road with scattered treelines six hundred metres from the abandoned warehouse; ditching the car in the place where Tanner has the location pinned, I set off on foot. Leaves and twigs crunch, as I walk out of sight and hidden in the shadows.

I’ve watched these guys every night for two weeks, both Tuesday’s at around 3am, a van arrives with what I can only assume is drugs. This is going to be my way in, I’ll intercept the van and tie old mate up, hopefully without too much struggle and then continue on. Stanley was able to hack into their surveillance system which is surprisingly pretty basic, which allowed me to know which areas to stick to, to be able to keep out of sight.