SID HART’S POINT OF VIEW“BODYGUARDS?” Emir echoed, clutching his chest in mock offense.“Sweetheart, we’re much handsomer than bodyguards.” Cash immediately butt in, not wanting his spotlight to be stolen.“Speak for yourself.” Knox drawled as he took a spoonful of fried rice into his mouth.”Exactly. Look at this face.” Cash tapped his jaw, posing dramatically. “This doesn’t scream bodyguard. It screams heartbreak.” He stated smugly.My baby sister laughed again, trying and failing to hide it behind her glass of milk.A subtle warmth pressed against the back of my mind as I observed them. Laughter danced in the air as if it had always been here, and breakfast went on longer than it should have. Tiara's brilliant eyes were focused on the men seated around the table as she rested her chin on her hand. “So… what do you all do?” she asked finally. “You don’t really look like… I mean—“ she stopped. “Bodyguards.” she muttered, her cheeks coloring.Cash leaned back, smirking. “Told you, s
SID HART’S POINT OF VIEWThe sterile blue illumination of the monitors filled my workplace. Data lines moved across the screen. I decoded coded messages, shipments, and numbers. All of the threads pointed to the same cancer: the Spettro Organization, which has the audacity to hurt my younger sister.I steepled my fingers and relaxed back in my chair. My mind was like a razor, slicing through every risk and every possibility.Casinos. Drugs.Money running in infinite rivers was the organization's beast, and they were the arteries that nourished it. The empire would choke on its own blood if I cut both.I displayed the blueprints of two casinos that launder illicit funds and are situated in separate cities. One was a secret den disguised as exclusivity, and the other was a gilded palace of immorality. I was aware of their vulnerabilities, which included server rooms, security schedules, and fire exits that were covered by walls. I was only waiting for the strike after mapping them all.
T’S (HART’S FRIEND) POINT OF VIEWAs I was leaving the lot, my phone buzzed in my pocket, and when I looked at the caller ID, Sid's name appeared on the screen. I put on the speaker and lit a cigarette before responding."Where are you, T?” His tone was clipped and tight as he inquired, eager to know every detail. There was that familiar blend of authority and interest in his voice.I leaned back against the car, watching the road stretch before me. “On my way to meet the guys.” I said, blowing smoke out the window.There was a pause, short but telling. Silence thick enough to catch the shift in his expression. I could imagine his brows furrow first, then that slow knowing grin forming once it clicked. Then I could practically hear the realization in his mind.“The guys.” he repeated slowly, amused. I knew that he’s grinning, the kind that stretched lazily on his face whenever he pierced things together. “Don’t tell me, you mean them.”“Who else?” I smirked.Yeah those guys. My friend
Sir Hart’s arm settled over my shoulders as he steered me gently out of the hallway. His stride was firm and certain, and I had to match his pace to keep up.Where are we going?” I asked and blinked, tilting my head at him. “The kitchen. I can’t let you starve. You might transform into a dragon monster.” he teased and chuckled heartily.I sneered at him but a laugh slipped out of me before I could stop it. “A dragon monster? Really?” I asked lightheartedly.He glanced down at me, the corner of his mouth twitching upward. “Don’t tell me it isn’t possible. Hungry people are dangerous.” he pointed out.Shaking my head, I allowed him to guide me downstairs. His teasing made the weight in my chest feel lighter somehow.When we reached the kitchen, the space looked far too polished to be real, like something straight out of a design magazine. Yet Sir Hart moved with such ease that it felt instantly lived-in.He pulled out a chair for me at the counter. “Sit. I’ll make you something.” he sa
SID HART’S P.O.V.Heloise Estates was originally known as Montefalco Estates twenty years ago. Its name was changed when my sister was born. It was this very mansion that according to Tiara earlier was a fortress. My sister, Heloise, and I were left with our babysitter as our parents went to work.It was quiet late afternoon, the maids stayed busy with their work, the guards rotated their watch at the gates, and in the nursery upstairs, I was playing in my own world of innocence. My sister, only two months old at that time was peacefully playing by herself in her crib next to me.I was only two years old. I was sitting cross-legged on the floor, clutching a wooden toy car and running it across the patterned rug. I looked at my baby sister waving her tiny fists in the air, gurgling aimlessly as if cheering me on. “Vroom… vroom!” I whispered, glancing softly at my baby sister. “See, Elle? Car go fast!” I said giggling sweetly. I gave her the nickname Elle to simplify her long name fro
“THIS house was built for a family. My parents had it designed so we could all stay under one roof. But you know how it goes… they’re always away on business trips. My work keeps me out most of the time too, and my sister’s… not here. We have our own business to take care of. So, no one’s living here actually. I just decided to stay here for a couple of days but this thing happened to you, so I’m extending my days here.” Hart spoke after a brief silence. He’s averting his eyes whenever I try to make an eye contact with him.But, I was surprised when he told me that. I didn’t expect him to share something personal to me. Back when I first met him at the Montefalco resort, he was comfortable to be with, however, he has a very secretive and mysterious vibes too. So, I was shocked when he allowed himself to share a part of himself without me forcing him to.“Let’s go upstairs. Let me bring you to your room.” he gave me a simple smile before he led the way.For a moment, I was stuck starin