CHAPTER FIVE: EARNING A SPOT

Music, soft laughter and the smell of cigar smoke and whisky filled the Huggies Clubhouse. Under neon lights, the dancers whirled, their motions fluid and mesmerising.

But tonight, Justin wasn't watching the stage. He scanned the crowd while standing rigidly close to the VIP lounge, dark shades covering his eyes and an earpiece tucked into his ear.

It had only been two weeks since he started working as a bodyguard. Justin had already been assigned to the inner circle, whilst the majority of new workers were dispatched to patrol the back alley or keep an eye on the parking lot. In close reach to Bahd Huggies.

Justin had arrived early every night and departed late. He became valuable by learning the routines and memorising the schedules.

Last week he calmly took an angry alcoholic out and stopped up a fight before it ever started, earning the respect of two senior guards.

But until tonight, Bahd Huggies had hardly given him a glance.

"New guy," called a rough voice.

Justin tilted. Behind him was a tall, bald man with a scar beneath his eye. He had a gold chain around his thick neck and was dressed in a fitted suit. Huggies' head of security, Gregor.

"Yes?" Justin answered in a level voice.

"Boss wants you in the lounge." Right now.

Justin felt his heart pound. "Yes, sir."

He passed through the velvet curtain separating the elite from the ordinary guests. There was a whole other world behind the curtain, complete with private dancers, luxurious leather couches and spirits bottles that were more expensive than rent.

Bahd Huggies himself was seated in the middle, leaning back like a monarch on his throne. The man had a gigantic frame. His fingers gleamed with gold rings. He had a well-groomed beard of salt and pepper and a wide-brimmed hat that sat low over his eyes. With two men at his sides, he laughed, but his head cocked slightly as Justin walked in.

"You're the new boy?" Bahd enquired.

"Yes, sir," Justin replied, advancing with deliberate steps forward.

"What's your name?"

Justin paused. "Jay," he said. It was sufficiently close. He was too scared to say Justin just yet. Bahd narrowed his eyes.

"You did a pretty good job handling that drunk idiot last week. Intelligent, Smart.

"Just carrying out my duties, sir."

Bahd raised his glass and remarked, "That's the thing." "The majority of people here simply come and go. You? You move as though you have a purpose.

Unsure of how to react, Justin remained silent.

After taking a sip of his beverage, Bahd pointed to the vacant seat beside him.

"Take a seat."

From the corner, Gregor raised his brow. This wasn't usual.

Justin did as he was told.

Bahd declared, "I'm a man who believes in eyes." "Everything is revealed by the eyes. They exhibit lies, hatred, greed, and fear. His gaze was intense as he leaned forward.

"How about your eyes? Fire is what I see. As though you have something to prove.

A flicker of heat rose in Justin's chest. "Perhaps I do."

Bahd gave a deep, rich laugh. "I enjoy that. People stay sharp through fire.

He poured Justin another drink and gave it to him. "Drink?"

After hesitating, Justin accepted the glass. He needed to fit in even though he wasn't a big drinker. "Thank you, sir."

Bahd toasted, "To those who deserve their place." "By merit, not by blood."

Their glasses clinked.

---

Justin was patrolling outside the lounge later that evening when Gregor came up to him once more.

"I was impressed by you," Gregor remarked.

"Boss doesn't let just anybody sit with him."

"Thanks for the opportunity." Justin said

Gregor crossed his arms. You need to be more than just muscular if you want to succeed here, Jay. You must be faithful, and ready to bleed for it, too.

Justin gave a nod. "I get it."

Gregor gave him a long look. Tomorrow, the boss has a private meeting. I'll write your name around the inside edge. Don't mess it up. Understood"

Justin let out a slow exhale as Gregor left. He had succeeded. He had advanced a step further. Nearer to reality. The Bahd Huggies are closer. nearer to his dad.

---

The Clubhouse's air was heavier than usual the following evening. The tension was like fixed. Radio silent, earpiece live, Justin stood outside the VIP meeting room.

Inside, Bahd was holding a meeting with high-ranking colleagues—men who managed his side ventures, which included imports, real estate, and some less lawful endeavours.

These meetings were conducted by trusted guards only.

Justin noticed movement from the corner halfway through the hour. With his hands in his pockets, a man wearing a hoodie walked down the corridor. Not meant to be present.

"Hi," Justin yelled. "This is a restricted area." The man continued to walk. "Stop!" With his hand on his weapon, Justin moved ahead of him. The man smiled and paused.

"Calm down, I was just trying to find the restroom."

"You made a wrong turn, Return.

The smile vanished. "To whom in hell do you think you are speaking?" Justin remained unflinching. "Last warning." The man moved too quickly. He reached for his waist.

Justin was faster.

He jumped, pinned the man, and slammed him against the wall. One of the knives fell to the ground. Behind him, footsteps thundered. With their weapons out, Gregor and two other guards arrived. "Make it clear!" Gregor saw the scene and yelled.

The intruder was restrained and dragged away. Gregor looked at Justin with a sense of admiration. "It's not bad, Jay." With his heart pounding, Justin nodded. Bahd Huggies had just been saved by him.

---

Bahd summoned him back into the lounge an hour later. The atmosphere was solemn this time. In the corner, with his arms folded, was only Gregor.

"You have courage," Bahd remarked, glancing at Justin. "And instinct."

"Thank you, sir."

"Have you ever considered doing something other than keeping doors safe?"

Justin's tone remained composed. "I want to merit that."

Bahd gave a slow nod. Men like you have a place in this empire. Men who defend what is important He bent over. "I don't trust many people." However, Jay, I'm observing you.

The weight of those words weighed heavily on Justin's chest. "Sir, I promise not to let you down."

---

The staff whispered the following morning. Have you heard? An assassin was stopped by that new guy. "The boss has already given him a bonus. That indicates that he is becoming more popular.

Lila also heard. By the stairway, she saw Justin, his jaw bruised from the scuffle, his shirt slightly wrinkled. She walked slowly towards him, her eyes full of curiosity.

"You're a real surprise."

Surprised, Justin turned. "Lila right?" She grinned. Word gets around here quickly.

The big man's life was saved by you?

Justin gave a shrug. "I just completed the task at hand." Her head was cocked.

"Well, 'Jay,' I believe you deserve more than a spot." He blinked.

"What is meant by that?" Lila spoke softly as she leaned closer. "It implies that I'm also observing you."

Justin froze as she left, her hips swaying.

His heart banged beneath his cool exterior. Everything was operating as it should. He still had to hide who he was, though.

Nobody realised that he was working for a position in a world that was rightfully his by blood.

Not just yet.

But shortly.