NOVEL NEXT Chapter 297 New Recruit Reporting
The unpleasant experience made Joe Ga lose his fondness for the entire Kennedy Airport.
After collecting their luggage and leaving the airport, they divided into four black Chevrolet Saab vans and headed to East Manhattan.
Chris, the intelligence dealer, had arranged the hotel in advance, giving Joe Ga and his group three days to explore New York before officially meeting with the Alexander couple when Chris had gathered enough intelligence.
Joe Ga was no longer the minor character he had been when he first arrived in Central Africa. Though a U.S. Navy Medical Admiral was still a major figure to him, that person was no longer the unreachable figure of the past.
Joe Ga quickly adjusted his mindset, now trying to handle his social interactions from the perspective of a "big shot."
This would remind him not to be used casually as a pawn, and also to signal to others not to treat him as expendable.
Throughout the journey, Jemma Alexander tried several times to break the silence with conversation, but she always stopped short due to the gloomy aura surrounding Joe Ga, until they arrived at the front of the Waldorf Hotel in East Manhattan, where Jemma finally broke the silence... Read new chapters at empire
"Jackal Wolf, I'm very sorry. If I could have anticipated..."
Joe Ga paused for a moment, then looking at Jemma, said, "You're not a fortune teller, and you don't need to apologize to me."
After speaking, Joe Ga opened the door to get out, greeted TC in the passenger seat, then looked at Jemma and said, "My people will take you home. Please tell your parents I need some time to adjust here. I will take the initiative to visit Long Island in three days."
As he spoke, Joe Ga helped Nis out of the car, waved at Jemma, signaled to the driver to move on.
After Jemma's group left, Joe Ga stood at the entrance of the Waldorf Hotel, looking up at the building's signage with a smile and commented, "Sanderson and his team really missed out. I bet Texas doesn't have hotels as luxurious as this one."
Nis, not much impressed by luxurious hotels, was very intrigued by the surrounding environment.
A classic sniper's habit, always subconsciously scouting suitable shooting positions wherever she went.
Ayu was completely lost amidst the towering buildings. Without promptly adjusting, the sense of direction and positioning skills that had been honed in Africa could become confused.
Due to nervousness, Ayu's unintentional sternness made several hotel bellboys hesitate, unsure whether to approach.
In the end, the hotel's lobby manager stepped forward, personally pushing a luggage cart and warmly invited Joe Ga and his entourage into the hotel.
'Spur' and his team handed the car keys to the hotel's doormen and after instructing other bodyguards, followed their boss into the hotel.
Chris had made thorough arrangements. Joe Ga merely stated his name and received the keys to an 'Emperor Suite'—the equivalent of a standard presidential suite—and five luxury suites.
In reality, New York's Waldorf Hotel has only one true presidential suite, extravagantly decorated and furnished, and adjustable to the guest's preferences at any time. Unfortunately, it was already booked.
The slightly lower-grade 'Emperor Suite' was actually almost identical in size to the presidential suite.
It boasted nearly 200 square meters, three bedrooms, a living room, a dining room, and a small study.
In fact, it was a large flat apartment, and this suite was staffed with a butler who could respond to any needs within minutes.
After entering the room, Joe Ga received a call from Chris.
Hearing Chris's insincere apologies for not securing the real presidential suite, Joe Ga, standing in front of the enormous floor-to-ceiling windows looking out at Central Park, shook his head and chuckled, "You might not believe it, but this is the most luxurious hotel I've ever stayed in. I must thank you. $8000 a night isn't cheap..."
Paused by Chris's laughter on the other side of the phone, Chris said, "It's $14000, actually. You can't just wipe out the cost of the other five suites, buddy. That's all my hard-earned money, remember I'm spending it on you."
Joe Ga was surprised to learn that the other suites also cost $1200 a night—just some rooms with a small living area. This level of pricing made him feel New York might not be the most suitable place for human habitation.
After jokingly complaining, Joe Ga sat down in a chair by the window and spoke, "You have three days to figure out the clout of that Naval Medical Admiral.
I've already set the stage, so make sure I'm not led by the nose."
Hearing Chris confidently agree, Joe Ga hung up, turned to 'Spur' and the few men behind him, and said with a smile, "Let's keep it informal, introduce yourselves. My name is Jackal Wolf, and I'm 'Spur's' boss.
He should have told you about my requirements. I'm very satisfied with Wagner's performance at the airport…"
Joe Ga finished speaking, and 'Spur' stepped forward, pointing at a tall Slavic man saying, "Viktor Rezenov, codename 'Jackal,' a retired Signal Flag Assaulter."
Turning to the other two men, 'Spur' said, "Paul Thomas, codename 'Pliers,' former EOD bomb disposal and electronic information specialist."
Pasa Madico, codename 'Dart,' was formerly an assault soldier with the Los Angeles SWAT.
There's also the man who saw Ms. Alexander off, Eddie Lawrence, codename 'Orange Cat,' who was previously a machine gunner with HRT and also my comrade.
You've already met Mike Wagner; he too was my comrade, codename 'Poet,' but after being injured and retired, he chose to become a lawyer.
This guy has a good brain, but unfortunately, no good luck, and to this day, he only has a small law office in Flushing, relies on court-appointed cases, and helps the Chinese in Flushing with lawsuits to pay his rent. He is the real deal in New York."
Joe Ga shook hands with each of them, smiling as he said, "I'll entrust my safety to you all then, I trust 'Spur's' judgment!"
As Joe Ga looked at the varied expressions of the group, he thought for a moment, then looked at 'Spur' and said, "How did you manage to gather all these elites together?"
Joe Ga's question was direct because among them, there was a Russian Signal Flag Assaulter, a demoralized-looking EOD, a Native American Los Angeles SWAT, two HRTs, one of whom was a lawyer.
This combination seemed a bit odd, and clearly, they weren't very familiar with each other either.
'Spur' replied helplessly, "Boss, they are absolutely reliable because each of them is vouched for by one of my comrades.
I actually wanted to ask a few of my comrades to take leave and work part-time, but I thought you might not want people with official backgrounds as your bodyguards.
So, I sought out my former instructor, who is now the owner of a professional security company, and he recommended 'Jackal,' 'Pliers,' 'Dart.'
While I'm not very familiar with them yet, my comrades 'Orange Cat' and 'Poet' have already been getting along with them for a while, and I believe we'll be familiar with each other very soon.
30 days' time, $30,000 in pay, I believe they are willing to take bullets for you."
Joe Ga nodded slightly after hearing this; he didn't know who 'Spur' was referring to by the recommender, but if he could trust them, they must be reliable.
Looking at the three 'strangers' standing upright, Joe Ga thought for a while and then said to Wagner, "Since you're a lawyer, there's no need to trouble my lawyer.
Prepare the contracts, and after we sign them, you can officially start working.
Gentlemen, we may not be familiar, but I trust 'Spur,' and so I trust you too."
'Poet' Wagner took a deep breath, smiling as he pulled several temporary bodyguard contracts from his briefcase and said, "Guys, we've had a great time together these past few days. Let's not screw it up, or I'll have to trouble my client to find you."
The Russian 'Jackal' immediately grabbed a contract, signed it without reading, then hesitated a moment and said to Joe Ga, "Boss, may I request an advance on my salary? My family needs the money!"
Before Joe Ga could respond, 'Spur' complained, "Hey, that's not right, we agreed on this beforehand."
'Jackal' seemed to feel guilty, he bowed his head in silence for a moment, then looked up at Joe Ga and said, "I can take $2,000 less, but I need an advance of $15,000. My son is in the hospital and needs surgery, I need the money.
I promise I will be a qualified bodyguard!"
Joe Ga didn't hesitate at the request; he waved Dorian over, who took out two stacks of hundred-dollar bills and tucked them along with the employment contract into 'Medic Officer Bird's' chest, then said, "You accompany him to the hospital, and if what he is saying is true, this $20,000 is his salary advance. If not, I'll have to find a new group of bodyguards."
Then Joe Ga looked at EOD 'Pliers' and SWAT 'Dart,' smiling as he said, "Fair enough, right?"
'Pliers' had an air similar to the early days of Sanderson, a decadent vibe, but he showed loyalty as he picked up a large box and said, "I'll start inspecting the room now. If 'Jackal' is lying, I'll leave on my own, and consider this my service to a generous boss for free."
'Dart,' too, was resolute. The Native American slapped 'Jackal' on the back and looked at Joe Ga, saying, "Fair enough, I agree!"
Wagner, seeing the expressions of the others, spread his hands and said, "Boss, at the airport, you agreed to double my commission. Luckily, I'm not a bodyguard."
Then Wagner looked at Joe Ga, shrugged, and said, "But I'm still willing to vouch for 'Jackal'. We are a team…"
Joe Ga nodded slightly, smiling at the moved 'Jackal' and said, "Take my car, go quickly and come back quickly. I don't know what illness your son has, but you can consult 'Medic Officer Bird' on the way; he's a professional…"
'Jackal' nodded at 'Medic Officer Bird', then instinctively gave Joe Ga a salute, saying with utmost seriousness, "Sir, I never lie and I will not disappoint those who trust me."
Joe Ga nodded in acknowledgment of 'Jackal's' assurance. Just as they were heading out the door, he heard 'Pliers', who was checking the room with a small device, whistle...
"Boss, someone is watching us; we've got work to do!"