Chapter 7: Guarding the Sultan's Wife

Jack Black stared at each of the five men lined up before him—a selection from his total roster of twenty-five operatives. His gaze settled on one particular subordinate who had joined the company merely two months prior: Brandon.

He scanned the young man from head to toe. Standing tall and powerfully built at twenty-five years old, Brandon presented an imposing presence.

His hair was neatly combed, framing an oval face with smooth tan skin and a sharp, defined nose. His expression remained utterly cold and reserved. While a faint spark usually resided in his eyes, whenever his lips pressed into a tight line, his gaze hardened—making him appear all the more fierce and unapproachable.

At a glance, Jack Black couldn't help but think that Brandon fit the exact profile of a ruthless hitman, carrying an aura that suggested a complete absence of mercy.

His short-sleeved dress shirt hugged his well-proportioned, solid torso, paired with fitted jeans that accentuated his long, powerful legs—clear indicators of someone subjected to relentless, intense physical conditioning.

Jack Black nodded slowly, having clearly made up his mind regarding the young operative.

"Brandon, you and Toni are assigned to guard a princess from the Middle East. I expect absolute dedication from both of you. If the princess you're protecting suffers so much as a scratch—or worse, gets kidnapped—your heads will be on the chopping block!" Jack Black’s voice rang out crisp and authoritative as he locked eyes with the two men standing at attention before him.

"Understood, boss!" Brandon and Toni responded almost in unison.

Jack Black held complete confidence in their ability to carry out the assignment.

This contract was a massive opportunity—sourced directly from the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates, requesting high-level personal security for an important dignitary visiting from the wealthy Middle Eastern nation.

"She is the wife of 'the Sultan' of the UAE, and she requested two bodyguards to accompany her on a full two-week tour covering Jakarta, Bandung, Bali, and Manado. Her criteria were explicit: young, handsome, polished, physically strong, highly skilled in driving and martial arts, and above all, fluent in English—with Arabic as an added bonus," the embassy envoy had instructed.

Out of his twenty-five bodyguards, Jack Black considered Brandon and Toni to be the most visually striking.

If drawn to a direct comparison, Brandon was arguably the most handsome of the two, though his demeanor remained strictly ice-cold. Toni, on the other hand, carried an approachable, warm smile that enhanced his charismatic appeal.

Both men possessed tall, athletic builds, though Toni was significantly bulkier—earning him the nickname 'Hulk.' While Brandon was equally muscular, his frame was leaner and more agile, earning him the moniker 'The Operative' in nod to his tactical background.

Moreover, Brandon was a master marksman with exceptional firearm proficiency—a reputation well-known among the squad, given his past as an elite tactical officer before his discharge from the force.

Two days later, Brandon and Toni were stationed at the VIP Terminal of Soekarno-Hatta International Airport. In accordance with the contract specifications, both were dressed sharply in stylish suits without ties.

Toni was casually chatting on his smartphone to pass the time, whereas Brandon remained completely composed and silent, his sharp eyes periodically scanning the VIP arrival gates.

Both had been selected primarily for their fluency in English, a skill set where many of Jack Black’s other men fell short.

The client they were waiting for finally arrived, having traveled aboard Emirates Business Class.

Toni immediately ended his call and snapped to attention alongside Brandon. The incoming group strolled out casually, consisting of only three people: two women and one man.

"Ah, you must be the bodyguards assigned to protect Princess Zeremiah?" greeted the man—evidently the client's executive assistant—speaking fluent English sprinkled with a light Arabic cadence.

"Yes, sir. I’m Toni, and this is my partner, Brandon," Toni introduced smoothly.

TO BE CONTINUED