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Chapter 12: Expanding the Network
The Colima streets always had an edge to them, a tension that made every interaction a negotiation. For Lex Navarro, these streets were no longer just a battlefield—they were a marketplace. Miguel's success at moving product from his parties had proved Lex's instincts right, but one customer wasn't enough. To grow his operation, he needed more buyers, more territory, and more people he could manipulate.
Lex wasn't content to wait for opportunities to come to him. He went looking for them.
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Scouting for a New Customer
Lex's first prospect came from a casual observation. For weeks, he had noticed a boy named Sergio hanging around the outskirts of Miguel's parties. Sergio wasn't flashy or loud, but he was always there, always watching. Lex had learned to spot potential in people, and Sergio practically radiated it.
Lex approached him one evening at a local park, where Sergio was sitting on a bench, scrolling through his phone.
"Sergio," Lex said, his tone casual as he sat down beside him.
Sergio glanced up, surprised. "Navarro? What's up?"
"I've been watching you," Lex said bluntly. "You've got connections. People like you. Trust you. That's a rare thing."
Sergio frowned. "What are you getting at?"
Lex reached into his jacket, pulling out a small packet and holding it up briefly. "This. You move it, you make money. Easy money."
Sergio hesitated, his eyes darting to the packet before looking back at Lex. "I don't know, man. That's risky."
Lex leaned in, his voice low but firm. "Everything's a risk. You take this chance, you could be walking around with real cash in your pocket by the end of the week. Or you can keep scraping by, waiting for someone else to take it."
Sergio bit his lip, weighing his options. Finally, he nodded. "Alright. I'll try it."
Lex smiled faintly, standing up. "Good. I'll be in touch."
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The Classroom Connection
Lex's second prospect came from a place he least expected—his math class. Gabriel, a quiet, nerdy kid who sat near the front, wasn't someone Lex had ever considered before. But one day, during a group project, Lex overheard Gabriel talking about his online gaming group.
"We've got players all over," Gabriel said, his voice animated. "Northside, downtown, even a few from out of state."
That was all Lex needed to hear. Connections weren't just about proximity—they were about reach.
After class, Lex cornered Gabriel outside the school. "Hey, Gabriel," he said, his tone friendly.
Gabriel blinked, startled. "Navarro? What's up?"
"I heard you talking about your gaming group," Lex said. "Sounds like you've got a lot of friends."
Gabriel shrugged. "Yeah, I guess. Why?"
Lex pulled him aside, lowering his voice. "I've got something that could make you some serious money. You've got the network. All you have to do is use it."
Gabriel's eyes widened as Lex showed him the packet. "Is that… drugs?"
"Not just drugs," Lex said smoothly. "It's an opportunity. You don't have to touch it yourself—just pass it along to the right people. Take a cut off the top. You're smart, Gabriel. You know this could work."
Gabriel hesitated, but Lex could see the gears turning in his mind. Finally, he nodded. "Okay. I'll do it."
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Building the Web
By the end of the week, Lex had two new customers moving product for him. Sergio worked the local scene, tapping into a circle of friends who trusted him implicitly. Gabriel, on the other hand, worked quietly and efficiently, using his online network to reach people Lex wouldn't have been able to access on his own.
Lex kept a tight grip on both of them, making sure they stayed loyal and careful. Every peso that came back to him felt like another step toward something bigger.
But Lex wasn't naive. He knew that every move he made brought more attention—from rivals, from the cartel, and from the streets themselves. And attention was a double-edged sword.
For now, though, he was content to let his web grow.
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