Talia's mother spotted him first, nudging her husband.
"Father, he's the one who brought me back," Talia said, her voice filled with relief.
Lewis looked at his daughter, then shifted his gaze to the stranger. Before he could speak, Talia's brother stepped forward with an extended hand.
"You must be Henry. I'm Derek—I called you earlier," he said. "I spoke with your boss, and he gave me the rundown. Thanks for bringing her back in one piece."
"Just doing my job, sir. No need to thank me," Henry replied smoothly.
His eyes drifted past Derek to another man stepping out of the villa. The man approached, offering a polite but tight smile. "Thanks for saving my cousin, Mr. Henry," he said, extending his hand.
Henry stepped in close, gripping the man's hand firmly. Leaning in, he whispered directly into his ear, "You planned everything perfectly."
The cousin froze, his composure cracking for a split second before he forced his mask back on. "What are you talking about?" he whispered back, feigning ignorance.
Henry's smile didn't reach his eyes. "You know, Jacob is an old friend of mine..."
At the mention of the name, the man flinched.
"...Should I call him right now?" Henry continued, his whisper dropping to a lethal chill. "We can discuss the details over speakerphone. Like how much you're paying him."
The cousin's mouth fell open, the color draining from his face.
Henry cleared his throat, releasing the grip and stepping back. Outwardly, his tone reverted to professional courtesy. "No need to apologize, sir. Like I said, it was my job."
Beads of sweat broke out on the cousin's forehead as he forced a weak smile. "I... I am grateful."
"Forgive us, Mr. Henry, for ever doubting you," Lewis added, stepping into the conversation.
"No worries at all," Henry replied.
Talia stepped forward, looking up at him. "Thank you, Henry. I'm deeply in your debt."
Henry gave a brief shake of his head. "Just take care of yourself." He turned on his heel, ready to walk away.
Watching his retreating back, Talia's cousin felt a surge of silent, ecstatic relief.
"Where are you going, Mr. Henry?" Derek called out.
"My contract is fulfilled, Sir Derek," Henry replied without stopping.
"Mr. Henry," Lewis called out authoritatively. Henry paused and turned his head. "Please. Work for us."
Henry shook his head. "I'm sorry, sir. I have to decline."
Before he could take another step, Talia pulled out her phone and dialed Henry's boss. "I'll handle this," she muttered.
The line clicked. "Hello?" a voice answered from the other end.
"Sir, we need Henry," Talia said without preamble. "Let him stay with us, and I will sign that contract you wanted."
The man on the line chuckled. "Well, I'd love to give you Henry, but that's entirely up to him. It's his decision alone; I don't control his deployment. As for the contract, our deal was simple: I protect you from the hit, tell you who arranged it, and you sign. We're holding up our end. So, stay on the deal."
Talia frowned. "But you haven't told me who arranged the attack yet."
"Ask Henry," the boss replied smoothly. "He's smart. He's undoubtedly figured it out by now."
Hearing this, Talia's cousin began to visibly tremble.
"Give me the phone," Lewis commanded, taking the device from his daughter. "Sir, we need Henry until the summit concludes. My daughter is still in danger, and she cannot miss this event."
"And what do I get in return?"
"We will sign the contract. Immediately," Lewis promised.
"Fine. But again, ask Henry. If he agrees, he stays."
Lewis lowered the phone and looked directly at Henry. After a tense moment, Henry offered a casual thumbs-up.
"Thank you, sir," Lewis said into the receiver and ended the call.
Nearby, Talia's cousin, Shane, clenched his fists so hard his knuckles turned white. Henry caught the movement and looked at him, a knowing smile playing on his lips.
"There is one condition, however," Henry announced.
"Name it," Derek said.
"My partner and I work as a unit. We were together on this mission, so I want him brought onto the payroll as well."
"Who is he?" Lewis asked.
Henry looked at Talia. "The big guy with me in the elevator."
Talia nodded quickly. "Consider it done."
Shane's chest heaved with quiet, venomous rage. I have to kill this guy, he thought.
Suddenly, Henry's gaze locked directly onto Shane's. Talia, noticing the intense stare, followed Henry's eyes until they landed on her cousin's furious expression.
In an instant, the boss's words echoed in her head: "Ask Henry. He's undoubtedly figured it out by now."
Talia's eyes widened in sudden, horrifying realization. Was Shane the one who tried to have me killed?
"Come on inside," Lewis said, breaking the silence as he gestured toward the villa. The family began walking toward the entrance, with Henry following a few paces behind.
Before they reached the doors, the purr of a high-end engine drew their attention. A black Mercedes pulled up outside the villa gates. Beast stepped out of the passenger side, followed by a sleekly dressed driver.
Henry walked down the driveway to meet them. "So, you brought him in without a fight?" Henry asked, glancing toward the car.
"Yeah, he came along willingly," the Driver replied, adjusting his jacket.
"Good," Henry said, turning to Beast. "Change of plans. We're staying here until the summit ends. Our mission has been extended to close-protection detail for the girl."
Beast scanned the massive estate and nodded. "By the way, I really like this place."
"You guys can catch up inside. I have to go," the Driver interrupted, turning back toward the Mercedes.
Henry sighed. "Come on, man. It's best to let go of old grudges."
"You work with that guy, and I don't like him," the Driver snapped coldly.
Beast shrugged. "I was hired by him, and I brought Henry along with me. It is what it is."
"Doesn't matter. I still don't like him," the Driver muttered. He slid back into the driver's seat, slammed the door, and sped away into the night.
Henry watched the tail lights vanish, then looked at Beast. "Let's go."
Together, they turned and entered the villa.