Asphyxiate (Lando Norris/AU)

Prologue

January 2026

Lando

"One beer." I flagged the bartender down with one lazy finger in the air, both arms resting on the bar.

He nodded and started to pour. The music was loud, and the bass was deep. People were talking, laughing and flirting. The lights were alternating between deep red and blue and helped hide shady intentions.

Absolutely fucking perfect.

The mirror on the back wall of the bar showed me the whole room, without me having to turn around. My own reflection was not something I cared to linger at.

The dark circles around my eyes were, to say the least, fucking prominent. Dull, without life. I can't remember how they look when I smile or laugh. My hair shows the same lifelessness. The dark brown curls were still there, but the shine was gone.

Luckily, I stayed in shape. The last two years I gained some muscle mass with all the training. I added some tattoos to my arms too. The world would have lost their fucking mind if this was during my racing career.

Twitter, or X or what ever the fuck it was called now, would have imploded.

Thank fuck I'm still humble.

I couldn't have anyone recognize me, so I wore a fake beard, glasses with coloured contacts and bland clothes.

I got my beer, took a sip and looked back at her.

Chloe.

She was wearing all black, but her button-up shirt was slightly see-through so you could see her black lace bra. At least she's hot.

She was laughing, and her eyes crinkled by the corner. She was taking part in the group's conversation, but often did not initiate the subject. She hasn't made contact with anyone other than her small friend group the entire time I had watched her. Shy? Waiting? Not interested?

Who the fuck knew. I didn't care. It wasn't on the agenda to talk to her tonight. Just observe her. Like the last few weeks, when I had been doing the exact same thing at different bars and restaurants around London.

A man approached her when she stood up from their table. He was good-looking. Tall, dark skin. Very charming. He reached out to shake her hand, and she took it, but she seemed... Dismissive? Coy was more like it.

So she was interested. The last few weeks, she had hooked up with two other men, without seeing them again. All the power to ya girly, I guess.

Who was I to judge? I was just dick deep in some random waitress last night and couldn't even remember her fucking hair colour.

I watched them talk for about 10 minutes before the man joined her at the table. Her redhead friend sent her eyes, and bumped her shoulder. God, could you be more obvious, you stupid bitch?

Chloe sent her a knowing look. Not better, Chloe, darling. I couldn't help but roll my eyes at the action.

At around 2 am, Chloe and the man had grown closer. She had her hand on the back of his neck and he was squeezing her thigh. Their faces were close, and their noses almost touching. Her eyes hooded while biting her lip when he talked. A little too domestic for a one-night stand, but all to their own.

She leaned over to whisper something in her friend's ear, and Chloe nodded when the friend said something back. She took her phone out and showed it to the redhead. I could see the screen showing her location was on. Good girl.

Chloe and the man stood up, and he led them out of the bar with her hand in his.

I follow them out, and turn right, when I see them enter a taxi. I don't need to see any more tonight. I know the events that are about to unfold, and they are not interesting to me right now. My phone vibrates and I see the name flashing, making my heart pound. I know what this means.

"Yes, it's me," I sigh on the phone when I pick it up.

"Lando, it's a go. Monday."

"Yeah, I fucking figured, Scott. You with Matt?" He sighs, and I can just see him roll his icy blue eyes at me. My fist clenches at my side, and I have to bite my tongue to not make a snide remark.

"Yeah, I'm here, Lando. What?" Chill the fuck out, mate. Matt's voice sounds strained, and I know he's fucking done with my shit.

I've been very persistent the last three weeks, that I needed to do the recon by myself, and not leave it to the research department. After all, It was my mission, and I wouldn't want some kid messing this up.

"Just wondering Matt, did Scott suck your dick yet, or is that for another day?" I can feel the corners of my mouth stretch in a smirk when I hear Scott swearing under his breath.

Matt just chuckles, "Lando, what do you want?"

I sigh, enough chit-chat. "The funds come through yet?" Matt is quiet for a moment, probably checking his computer, before he confirms.

"Yeah, they just transferred this morning. Just got the go ahead from the team a couple of hours ago. Your cover is good, and your office is just getting the final touches." I can hear Matt is smiling. He knows I'm very... Particular. With my space. "Good, confirm that mission is a go Monday."

I flag a taxi down the same minute I hang up on them and give the driver my address.