Chapter 52: Introducing Collins.
Kyle gave the man a call, and while typically an appointment would be scheduled for a later time, the urgency in the man’s tone revealed their desperation. They agreed to meet Kyle immediately. This eagerness was suspicious to Kyle, who considered the possibility that this could be a setup, perhaps an elaborate plan to rob him. However, the likelihood of such an event seemed minimal, given the context.
Kyle decided to leave his car at home and opted to take an Uber to the location instead. It was a precautionary choice he did not regret. He arrived at the site in less than twenty minutes. Stepping out of the car, Kyle scanned his surroundings and immediately noticed the numerous fancy construction trucks scattered around the site. He figured they were either for show or genuinely part of the operation, meant to assure him that this was a legitimate business.
The site itself was barren; no buildings had been erected. At its center stood a lone RV, which appeared to serve as the operation’s base. Kyle paused outside for a moment, his Uber driver observing the scene and lingering slightly longer than usual.
"Are you sure you’re good here?" the driver asked, his voice tinged with concern.
Kyle found the gesture oddly kind. He smiled and assured the driver, "I’ll be fine. They’re expecting me." The driver hesitated but eventually drove off, leaving Kyle alone.
Moments later, the RV’s door opened, and a man in his late forties stepped out. Kyle’s first thought was that the man looked like a Greek god—a physical embodiment of evolution itself. His broad shoulders and chiseled physique betrayed a lifetime of heavy lifting, yet his weathered gray hair was the only sign of his age.
"Hello there," the man greeted, his deep voice commanding yet polite. "You’re Kyle, right? The one I spoke with on the phone?"
Kyle was momentarily caught off guard. He had expected someone closer to his own age, not a man who seemed both seasoned and physically indomitable. This unexpected presence only added to Kyle’s growing belief in the man’s authenticity.
"That’s correct," Kyle responded, offering a firm handshake as he approached the man. "And you’re Collins, right?"
Collins nodded, confirming Kyle’s guess. With a wave of his hand, he gestured toward the RV, inviting Kyle inside. Kyle hesitated briefly, his mind racing with paranoid thoughts. What if this was a trap? What if he never came out of that RV alive?
But Kyle quickly dismissed the absurd notion. If Collins had any malicious intent, he wouldn’t leave a witness like the Uber driver behind. Shaking his head to clear his thoughts, Kyle followed Collins into the RV.
To Kyle’s surprise, the interior was nothing like he had imagined. The RV was impeccably decorated and functioned as a fully operational office. From the expensive furniture to the state-of-the-art equipment, everything about the space screamed professionalism.
"I see James wasn’t exaggerating," Collins remarked sternly, gesturing for Kyle to take a seat. Kyle complied, sitting opposite Collins with a sturdy table separating them.
"Good," Kyle replied, glad they could skip pleasantries. "If James has briefed you, then you know exactly why I’m here."
"That’s right," Collins confirmed, leaning back in his chair. "We can begin construction whenever you’re ready. Most clients take at least a month to prepare—"
"How about tomorrow?" Kyle interrupted, his voice calm but assertive.
Collins blinked, momentarily thrown off by Kyle’s abruptness. "Tomorrow? Do you already have the blueprint finalized? And this isn’t going to be cheap, you know. Maybe we can work out an installment plan?"
Kyle raised an eyebrow. A blueprint? The truth was, he didn’t care much about the specifics of the design. The building would serve as a cover for his real operations, not as a passion project.
"I have something in mind," Kyle said quickly, pulling out his phone. Pretending to search through saved files, he discreetly browsed the internet for images of luxurious nightclubs. After selecting one that caught his eye, he handed the phone to Collins.
Collins studied the image, his practiced eye noting the design’s extravagance. Kyle explained his vision, adding his own modifications to make it unique. He wanted the building to include a restaurant and a separate strip club, ensuring the venue would remain operational both day and night.
Collins nodded thoughtfully, impressed by the practicality of Kyle’s concept. "This will be very expensive," he cautioned. "Are you absolutely sure about this?"
Kyle smirked, shaking his head in reassurance. Collins couldn’t calculate an exact budget on the spot, but he gave an estimated range.
"This project will cost anywhere between $800,000 and $2,500,000," Collins said, carefully gauging Kyle’s reaction. He half-expected Kyle to back out.
Kyle extended his hand, gesturing for his phone. Collins hesitated, misinterpreting the gesture as a sign of retreat.
"Typical," Collins thought, handing the phone back. He was already bracing himself for disappointment when Kyle’s voice snapped him back to reality.
"So, do you want cash, or would a transfer work better?" Kyle asked casually.
Collins froze, unable to process what he had just heard. "What?" he asked, needing clarification.
Kyle repeated himself, this time more deliberately. "I’m asking how I should send you the money. You said $2,500,000, right?"
Collins nodded, stunned. His fingers trembled slightly as he scribbled down his account details. Within moments, he received an alert on his phone. Two and a half million dollars had been deposited into his account.
For a moment, Collins was speechless. This kind of transaction didn’t happen every day, and it was almost too good to be true.
Kyle stood, smoothing out his shirt. "Let me know if there are any delays. Otherwise, I’ll expect construction to begin tomorrow."
Collins nodded vigorously, still processing the situation.
As Kyle exited the RV, he couldn’t help but feel a sense of accomplishment. This nightclub would serve more than one purpose—it would be his escape, his cover, and his sanctuary.
Kyle knew he couldn’t spend all his time locked away in his house. He had to appear like a hardworking, ambitious man to avoid raising suspicion about his wealth. This project was the perfect facade, and he was ready to make it a reality.
