A thought to consider

"Security for me?" Sienna was in disbelief and held out her palm, silently asking Frank to give her the phone.

"Yes, Miss Lawerence," Edward replied, realizing who was speaking to him.

"But why? Why would Travis contact a private security agency when we have our own security team?" Sienna stared at Kyrell as she asked the question. 

"I'm not sure about the specifics, Miss Lawrence. All I know is that Mr. Lawrence wanted to find you a personal guard. So, he had contacted the Cheetah Corps," Edward recounted all that he knew.

"I see. Thank you."

"Pleasure is all mine, Miss Lawrence."

The call ended and Sienna returned the phone to Frank. 

"What did Travis tell you when he contacted you, Mr. Winchester?" Sienna couldn't fathom why her brother had looked for another guard.

It was true that she didn't have a personal guard, the last one deciding to shift to a less lucrative job after injuring his knee. But they could have settled for someone in their security team. Why did Travis look for an external agency?

"Mr. Lawrence wanted to hire private security for you, Miss Lawerence. He told me that he needed someone who was skilled and could protect you at all times." Kyrell gave the gist of his conversation with Travis.

Sienna was still perplexed. She continued to study Kyrell, who stood before her silently without fidgeting under her suspicious gaze.

A knock at the door broke the tension in the air and Sienna frowned in dismay. 

"Miss Lawrence," Officer Jenkins called from the other side, but she ignored him.

"Is there anything else you want to tell me, Mr. Winchester?"

"Although Mr. Lawrence and I didn't sign the contract, I still consider it my responsibility to protect you, Miss Lawrence," Kyrell stated with resolve.

"We'll talk about it later, Mr. Winchester. Officer Jenkins is waiting for us."

Kyrell nodded and opened the door.

"Miss Lawrence, the forensic team is here."

"I understand."

While the police officer and Kyrell walked ahead, Sienna and Frank lagged by a few steps. 

Sienna typed a message on her phone and showed it to Frank.

Investigate Kyrell Winchester and the Cheetah Corps.

Frank didn't react, merely nodding at her discreetly as he pushed the wheelchair.

Sienna watched the police do their job calmly. There wasn't any expression on her face.

"Miss Lawrence, we'll need the surveillance footage of the estate." Officer Jenkins approached and put forth his request. Maybe, they could find out how Adam was poisoned.

"Of course. Frank will assist you."

Sienna felt bad for her butler. His son was in a coma. Instead of catering to him, he was here, looking after her and handling all the matters concerning the estate.

Subconsciously, her eyes moved to Kyrell who was busy on his phone. A notion hit her mind and she started considering it, albeit the risk it brought.

Feeling a pair of eyes on him, Kyrell raised his head and looked around before settling on Sienna. He quirked a brow when he noticed she was unaffected after being caught. Instead, she continued to stare at him for a long time.

The police continued their work, not interrupting Sienna and Kyrell while Frank helped them with the surveillance footage.

Sienna's brows shot up when she saw Kyrell approaching her. The man was unfazed by her blatant gaze.

"Miss Lawrence seems to be particularly intrigued by me," he remarked, ensuring that only she heard him.

Sienna smiled, her eyes not revealing anything. "I'm wondering if you are a foe or a friend."

"What do you think, Miss Lawrence? Am I a foe or a friend?" Kyrell looked at her curiously.

"Neither." Sienna was honest. Kyrell wasn't her foe or at least, he didn't seem to be for now. And him being her friend seemed far from it.

"For now," Kyrell countered. "We can be friends in the future."

Sienna's smile widened, finding the man genuinely interesting for the first time.

"That depends, Mr. Winchester. It's not easy becoming my friend."

"I guess you and I will have a great relationship. After all, my preferences lean more towards uneasy challenges."

"Am I a challenge then?"

Sienna gave him a look that said she was offended. But Kyrell knew otherwise. Her amused eyes gave her away.

"What do you think, Miss Lawrence?" Kyrell threw the question back to her.

"Then, I might be one of the most difficult challenges of your life. Are you up for it?" Sienna arched her brow questioningly.

"With pleasure."

"Why? May I ask?"

"I wouldn't mind having a genuine friend, Miss Lawrence. People need kinship in life and you and I especially need it."

Sienna's smile vanished at his words. "I'm sorry."

Kyrell shook his head. There was not one ounce of sorrow as he said, "Don't be. The circumstances are never under our control."

A heavy silence fell over them and nobody spoke a word until Officer Jenkins arrived.

"Miss Lawrence, Adam's body has been sent for post-mortem."

"I understand, Officer Jenkins." 

"Miss Lawrence, this place isn't safe for you. Do you..."

"It doesn't matter, Officer Jenkins. If people want to kill me, it doesn't matter where I am staying," Sienna retorted.

It was the truth. While her family was murdered in broad daylight in the presence of an audience, she had been attacked on the road. Unless she went into hiding, she wasn't safe anywhere.

Kyrell pursed his lips and turned his head. Although he wanted to stay with her and protect her, he couldn't do it. Not yet. Sienna hadn't asked him and the contract between her brother and him wasn't signed. So, he could only protect her in secret.

"The post-mortem report will be out in three hours, Miss Lawrence. I'll keep you informed."

"Thank you, Officer Jenkins. Have you checked the CCTV footage?"

"My men are looking into it."

The police officer stepped aside while Kyrell remained beside her. He couldn't comprehend what she was thinking for she was deep in thought.

"What are you thinking about, Miss Lawrence?" The question left his lips before he could stop himself.

Before he could apologize, surprisingly, Sienna answered him. "I was wondering how to bring the traitors out of their hole."

"There's a saying, Miss Lawrence." Kyrell raised his head to check if anyone was eavesdropping on their conversation. "Keep your friends close, keep your enemies closer."

"So, do you want me to keep them close, even when they intend to kill me?" Sienna asked in ridicule.

"You are a smart woman, Miss Lawrence. I am sure you'll find the way yourself."

"Has anyone told you that you're cunning?"

Kyrell chuckled softly and lowered his eyes to meet her gaze. "Many. We need to be cunning in life, Miss Lawrence. The innocent will never survive in this world."