Steven walked into his apartment and collapsed on his sofa, with heavy sigh escaping his lips and a small smile crossing his face.

The day had gone even better than he had expected, as the restaurant’s documents had been sighed, making him the official owner of the restaurant on paper.

But he would still have for seven days before the handover can be completed, and he can start the day to day running of the establishment.

With everything sorted out for the day, Steven had nothing else to but to spend his time as he always did.

He took off his jacket, picked up the controller and started gaming. As he gamed, he thought of the investigation into Drew and his family, and what it would come back with.

He understood that whatever Drew was going to pull this time was going to be dangerous, and not something where Drew would wants to embarrass him.

Steven thought about it and felt that he should also take appropriate steps on his part. He really has no idea how far Drew was going to go to get at him. He felt that he should also take considerable steps to protect himself.

But the problem was that he has no idea what he’s preparing for. And until he get the result from the investigation, he would be walking blind.

He thought of what he could possibly do that could help him? He could call Hargreaves about physical security for himself. He could also change his routine.

He understood that with the fact that Drew had investigated him and had his address, also meant that he might also be familiar with the routes he takes. Especially when goes to gym.

He won’t lock himself up inside because of Drew and whatever he has planned, but he can change the route he takes to the gym, or even randomise it.

But the problem with changing route to the gym was that the drive to the gym was less than 10 minutes and there’s only one road that leads directly to the place. This makes the route changing difficult.

There was also Lena’s safety. Drew knows where she lives and they work at the same company. She was the most vulnerable.

Steven sighed heavily when he thought about all these and he dropped the controller on the sofa.

He felt that the best possible option was for him to get a gun but he has no idea how to get one. And he wasn’t sure if it was something he could ask Hargreaves to handle for him.

While Steven was doing his threats assessment of the danger Drew holds, he also didn’t forget the advantage he holds over them.

His 34 Physique puts him way above the average humans. While he wasn’t bulletproof, when it comes to hand-to-hand combat, he was confident on being able to take care of himself.

Steven’s thought went back to the gun and he felt that he should contact Hargreaves, and explain his situation to him.

One thing holding him back from doing that was that holding a gun meant that he could kill someone with it, Drew probably. And Steven wasn’t mentally ready for that.

But he was aware that he doesn’t have much of a choice anymore, especially with his life and that of Lena potentially on the line.

He had to do what’s necessary to protect her and himself.

Without hesitation, he picked up his phone and called Hargreaves.

"Mr. Craig," he said. "Good evening."

"Good evening, Hargreaves," Steven said. "I need to talk to you about something important."

"Of course," Hargreaves said. "Go ahead."

Steven was quiet for a moment, ordering his thoughts before he spoke.

"The reason I asked for the investigation into Drew Mercer," he said, "was because he and I have had two very unpleasant encounters. Both times, things didn’t go the way he intended. Both times, he was in front of people he cared about impressing, and both times he came away from it looking considerably worse than when he arrived. The second time was far worse."

"I see," Hargreaves said, as he built a picture of the situation from the details Steven was giving him.

"The first time was at a rooftop lounge. He was aggressive, he put his hands on me, and I put him on the floor. The second time was last night at a private gathering he arranged specifically to humiliate me in front of an audience." Steven paused. "That didn’t go the way he planned either."

The line was quiet for a moment.

"And now you believe the pattern has changed," Hargreaves said.

"Yes," Steven said. "Two losses in two different rooms, both in front of people whose opinions matter to him. A man like Drew, with his father’s position and a proven sense of getting back what he’s owed, surely won’t absorb those two losses quietly." He stood from the sofa and walked toward the window, the city pressing its evening light against the glass. "I don’t think the next encounter is going to be social. I think it’s going to be something else entirely, and I think it could be dangerous."

"When you say dangerous," Hargreaves said, "you mean physically."

"Yes," Steven said. "I believe he’s already had someone watching my building and tracking my routine. I noticed a car following me earlier this week. I was even corned by the two of them, and was given the invitation to the gathering, while being threatened."

The silence that followed was slightly longer than the ones before it.

"That escalates the situation considerably," Hargreaves said.

"It does," Steven said. "And there’s someone else I need to consider." He looked out at the city below, the streams of headlights moving through the streets in the dark. "There’s a woman I’m with. Her name is Lena. She works at the same company as Drew. He knows where she lives. She has less visibility into how serious this has become than I do, and she’s more exposed because of it."

Hargreaves received this without interrupting.

"I need two things," Steven continued. "The first is professional security. Discreet, not visible, but present and capable. For both of us. I’m not going to change how I live because of Drew Mercer, but I want someone with eyes on the situation who can respond if something develops."

"That can be arranged," Hargreaves said. "We work with a firm that operates at exactly that level. Former law enforcement, private sector experience. They don’t announce themselves unless a situation requires it. I can have a consultation call arranged for tomorrow morning."

"Good," Steven said. "The second thing." He paused for a moment. "If something happens and there’s no one else in the room, I want to be able to protect myself and Lena directly. I need to understand what’s legally available to me in Texas and how to access it properly."

There was a brief silence, as Hargreaves considered what he had just heard and what it means, before responding.

"Texas law is relatively permissive in this area," Hargreaves said. "A legally purchased handgun, carried with the appropriate Licence to Carry — that’s entirely within your rights as a resident. The LTC process involves a background check and an application. With the right support it moves quickly." He paused. "I would also strongly recommend proper handling instruction before you carry anything. Owning a firearm without understanding how to use it under pressure creates its own category of problem."

"I understand that," Steven said.

"We can initiate the paperwork today and connect you with someone qualified to take you through the instruction side," Hargreaves said. "Both can run simultaneously."

Steven turned away from the window and stood in the middle of the living room.

"One more thing," he said. "I want security arranged for Lena without making it visible or alarming. She doesn’t need to know the full detail of what I’m concerned about. But I’m going to tell her enough so she understands the situation and knows to be careful."

"That’s the right call," Hargreaves said, and something in his tone suggested it was the answer he had expected.

"Can everything be moving by tomorrow morning?" Steven asked.

"Security consultation at nine," Hargreaves said. "LTC paperwork initiated before the end of today. I’ll send you confirmation of both before midnight."

"Thank you, Hargreaves."

"Of course, Mr. Craig." Hargreaves said and paused for a moment. "One more thing, while I have you."

Steven’s hand tightened slightly around the phone.

"The Mercer investigation," Hargreaves said. "We’ve pulled something already that I think warrants a conversation sooner rather than later. I was going to wait until the picture was complete. Given what you’ve just told me, I think you should hear the direction it’s heading."

Steven stood still.

"Tell me," he said.