Lucien picked me up just after dark. He wore a cap pulled low, dark hoodie, and plain jeans. I had my hair tucked into a baseball cap, an oversized sweatshirt, and leggings. Two aggressively average people carrying a medium‑sized box that rattled faintly with every step.

The horse ranch Nadia chose sat on the city's edge. The lights glowed softly, kids squealed near the paddocks, couples strolled with paper cups in hand, and a few riders circled the arena. It looked like the last place you'd ...