Chapter 65: Bryan Mills

The call connected.

"Hello, boss," Barney answered.

"Barney, have you sorted out that shooting incident in Miami?" William inquired.

"Yes, boss. This morning, I just had to give a statement at the police station. We were even commended for our bravery and got the Good Samaritan Award from Miami. Thanks, boss."

"Good. Since you're all clear, I need you to head to London immediately to pick up my mother. Take her to the village near the Devonshire Castle in Oxford. The villagers have served the Devonshire family for generations, and they'll cooperate in protecting my mother, Lena. Take your gear; there could be danger. This mission will last two months, at $2 million per month. Any issues?"

"No issues, boss. I'll be on a flight to London within an hour. We should have your mother with us in twelve hours."

"Excellent. Be careful, Barney. Goodbye."

"Understood. We'll be cautious. Goodbye."

William then dialed his private attorney, Anthony, from the Mueller Law Firm.

"Good morning, William. What brings you to call me? Is there something troubling you?" Anthony's cheerful voice came through the phone.

"Good morning, Anthony. I do need your help with something. By tomorrow, I need you to purchase the Devonshire Castle in Oxford. What was the current value you mentioned last time?"

"Without the surrounding 1,000 acres, just the castle and 10 acres around it are valued at about £4 million. To buy the entire estate, it might exceed £10 million. William, last time you said you'd wait a year or two. Why the change of heart? The prices are still quite high," Anthony responded.

For William, a couple of million was no longer a significant sum, and he was confident he would win big in this poker game. However, ensuring his mother's safety was paramount.

"Up to £5 million. You decide. Can you finalize the purchase by tomorrow?"

"Of course. Nowadays, people are eager to sell off real estate to invest in stocks. Since 1998, many stocks have increased sixfold, some even tenfold for the lucky ones.

"If we pay in full, the current owners of Devonshire Castle will definitely sell. Don't worry, I might even have it sorted by today. Expect good news, William," Anthony assured him.

"Great. I'll be waiting for your news, Anthony."

"Rest assured, I'll take care of it. I'll contact the castle's owners right away. Goodbye."

"Goodbye."

William sat back on the sofa, contemplating any remaining vulnerabilities. He had underestimated Le Chiffre, who would stop at nothing for money. If William won the poker game, Le Chiffre might kidnap him or someone he cared about for leverage, with his mother, Lena, being the most likely target.

"Damn, I forgot about Alexander," William thought, realizing he also needed to ensure Alexander Ambrose's safety.

At this critical moment, William felt frustrated by his lack of reliable personnel. Finding suitable people wasn't easy, so he decided to call Barney from the Expendables again.

"Hello, boss. We're gearing up to leave. Any additional instructions?" Barney asked.

William got straight to the point, "Barney, do you know any top-tier bodyguards? I need a tactical team to protect someone in the USA."

Barney thought for a moment and replied, "A specialized team of bodyguards? If age isn't a factor, I know a retired five-man unit from the Special Forces. They now work as bodyguards for celebrities and the wealthy. These guys are a bit older and don't get much work, but they are top-notch.

"The team includes a tactical expert, a computer expert, a logistics specialist, and the best among them is Bryan Mills, a former top agent. I've worked with Bryan before; he's incredibly formidable."

"Okay, where can I find this team?" William inquired.

"They're usually based in Miami, but they're willing to travel outside the USA if needed," Barney replied.

"Great, they'll do. Barney, I need them for no more than a week. Three days in Miami and then three days to escort the person to Switzerland to meet me. Is $500,000 enough?"

"More than enough, boss. Given their age, their rates are quite low. Protecting a celebrity costs about $400 per day per person. They'll be thrilled. Thanks for your trust. I guarantee they're the best. Often, assassins are dealt with before they even get close to their target," Barney joked.

"Fuck, Barney, are they assassins or bodyguards? Now I'm starting to doubt your recommendation," William cursed.

Barney silently chastised himself for the joke but was confident in Bryan Mills's abilities.

"Boss, that's just their style. Bryan Mills is a proactive guy. Sam is their computer and surveillance expert, and he often detects threats before they become an issue.

"Then Bryan takes the initiative to neutralize the threat, keeping the person they're protecting safe and unaware of any danger. That's why they're not well-known; clients often think they haven't done anything," Barney explained.

"Alright, I don't have many options, so I'll trust you. I'll wire $500,000 to you. Tell them if they can protect the person without any scares, I'll add another $200,000 as a bonus. They can even request payment in cash if they prefer."

"Boss, they'll definitely prefer cash. It's tax-free, and these guys are not well-off. Plus, no one in Miami would dare to mess with them. They usually avoid trouble," Barney chuckled.

"I've sent you the details. Time is tight, so contact them now," William said.

"Will do, boss. Goodbye," Barney replied.

"Goodbye."

Barney hung up and quickly found Bryan Mills's number in his contacts, dialing it.

Within seconds, he heard a deep voice typical of a middle-aged man, "Hello, Barney. What brings you to call? Need something?"

"Yeah, buddy. Got time? I have a good gig for you," Barney said.

"Sure, I've got plenty of time aside from spending it with my daughter. You know my situation," Bryan responded.

Barney glanced at the photo William had just sent, seeing the beautiful brunette. He immediately realized this Ambrose girl was likely the boss's girlfriend. Otherwise, why would he protect her so diligently?

"Bryan, my current employer needs you to protect a model in Miami for three days. After that, escort her to Switzerland to meet my employer. The total job will last less than a week, and the pay is $500,000. Interested?" Barney asked.

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