Cuco’s pov

I made it back to the hideout in less than an hour. The whole team was already waiting outside as I drove in. The headlights were bright but as I parked I turned them off. I heard the sound of guns cocking as I tried to open the door and I laughed.

“C’mon mi hermanos… it's me Cuco…”

And as they noticed it was me, they slowly dropped their weapons. And I came down with a jump in my step. As I smiled and slammed the door on my side of the car. Before going over to the passenger seat and pulling out Maldini… He was still knocked out and as I pulled him to the ground I heard a slight groan. I laughed now as I tossed him on the ground. Then reached and pulled off the mask on his head.

“Here is our prize…” I smirked.

And I watched as their eyes all spread in shock. I smiled as they looked from Maldini to me, then back. With their faces surprised. And they couldn't even speak.

“Imposible!”

"¡No me lo creo!"

"¡No puede ser!”

Their minds almost imploding at the sight of him… As he laid on the ground with blood rolling down the side of his face.

“Nue, nue… this is the real deal…” I nodded.

I could see the disbelief on their faces and it made me laugh. As I stood there like a superhero with a cape. And the rest of them were just onlookers. I walked on and dragged Maldini alongside me and they followed like they were hypnotised. All of them still finding it hard to believe.

And a part of me secretly finding it hard too…

“So you went in there and brought him all by yourself?...” I heard one of them ask in spanish.

“Si, si…” I answered, walking confidently yet with my tail between my legs.

Because Maldini Peretti had always been big on security… He had always been focused on protecting himself and always had guards everywhere he went?... A full SWAT team of bodyguards, and rumor had it that he was always fully equipped himself. So a part of me just didn't feel right…

Just because I felt it had been too easy…

I walked on but I looked over my shoulder now. Worrying if maybe his men might be tracking me and maybe were already on their way here? I walked with a smirk, looking all bold and confident, but deep down I just couldn't believe what I had done…

“If this is really Maldini, the boss would be really happy…”

“Honestly, Cuco could get a raise. He just made history…”

“The best of us is what he is…”

And as they praised me, I became more and more worried. As they saw me as a hero and began giving me accolades I became more and more disturbed. Because I was afraid their praise would backfire if anything went wrong. And if anything ended up not being as expected I would suddenly turn into a joke…

In my anxiety I nodded to one of the other men standing by the gate we now walked past. His rifle in his hand and close to his chest like a priest holding a Bible. He stood there guarding the gates and now with his head up, seemingly looking at the sky.

“Hey, Hermanos…”

But as I called him he turned almost immediately.

“Si, Colega?”

I saw the enthusiasm in his eyes and I was surprised he was this excited to answer me. I frowned realising he must've heard the others praising me. And as I left Maldini with them to take him inside, they were still praising me as they walked.

“How bout you do ole Cuco a little favour?...” I asked now. Leveraging on my new found fame.

And I saw his eyes go bright. Like he just saw a shooting star.

“Sure, anything for the great Cuco…”

And the last sentence was like music to my ears, yet a discordant tune. But I went ahead anyway…

“Now I'll need you to take that truck over there and take off the licence plates… Then drive it down to the junkyard and set it to flames okay hermano?... No traces remaining. No pieces. And no fragments… comprende?”

But now I saw his face drop slightly… the surprise visible. But he still answered.

“Uhm… okay sure sure…”

And I nodded with a weak smile as I now reached in my pockets. Bringing out a few dollar notes and nickels.

“Here's five bucks for the trouble…”

Before I patted him on the shoulder and smiled again. Then urned around and left him to it. As I made my way behind the other guys inside the warehouse. Two more guards sliding the door up for me as I walked in. The crowd I met inside overwhelming as I was suddenly swallowed by cheering and loud whistling. The other gang members with beers in hand and bandanas on their heads. All of them excited to see me as their voices were loud and energetic. Singing at the top of their lungs and chanting my name.

I glanced sideways and saw Maldini in a corner with his head resting on a stool and his hands still tied behind his back. I stared at him as I heard a song that they had seemingly already made about me?... I walked timid as everyone around me mentioned my name as they sang.

Cuco, El más grande de todos nosotros!

Cuco, El rey de la fuerza!

Cuco, El que lo cambió todo!

Cuco, El héroe!

Cuco, El rey!

Cuco, a le refuerza!

And I stood as they all cheered and raised glasses. I moved forward as they suddenly swarmed me. Hands shaking me and patting me on the back. Someone giving me a cigar. Another giving me a bottle. Everyone around me upbeat and high. And it felt weird as I was the only one least excited…

They nudged me forward and now led me to the inner room. To meet our boss… As they said he had heard too, and was happy with the news of Maldini. But I gulped as I heard he wanted to see me…