As I stood in the living room, my heart was pounding like a hammer against my chest, and my breaths were shallow and quick. I could hear the sound of heavy boots approaching, and my mind immediately knew that something was wrong.

I peeked through the slightly opened door and saw a squad of men dressed in full black gear, carrying assault rifles, walking through the hallway. It was like a scene from an action movie, but it was happening right in front of me.

I waited for the frontman of the group to pass the door and then pointed my gun at the back of his head, instructing him to drop his weapon. I could hear the sound of guns being cocked and loaded by the rest of the squad as they prepared for a possible attack.

"Call off your dogs!" I demanded, trying to sound as confident as possible. The frontman of the group told his squad to lower their weapons and turned around to face me. He was a tall, muscular man with a chiseled jawline and piercing brown eyes.

He introduced himself as Michael Graves, the leader of the Blackhearts. My mind raced as I tried to remember who or what Blackhearts was, but nothing came to mind. I asked if I was supposed to know that name, hoping to gain some insight into the situation.

Michael responded, “No, you shouldn’t know us; we are a top-secret black ops unit that has been investigating the whereabouts of Mr. Richards... I would appreciate it if you would cooperate and tell us what purpose you have for being here.”

I wasn't going to tell them anything, as they looked like ordinary huscles that suits would normally hire for projection. I felt it would be best to ask them why they were searching for Kyle Richards; after all, I did have the advantage.

“We received word from an anonymous source that the wife and child of Kyle were in danger and needed projection. We believe that the person who gave us this tip was Kyle himself. However, judging that you are here suggests that the wife and child have been taken. Now I will ask you again. Why are you here?”

There was something about him I didn't trust; maybe it's the fact he was so quick in introducing himself and telling me about a top-secret black ops group. While I was thinking about what to do with him, Michael said something that shocked me.

“Did a mister, “Detes?” tell you to capture the wife and child?”

Detes was the nickname Sam’s buddies gave him, whereas everyone else in Night City called him Slippery Sam. I had no idea what was going on, but I knew I had to be careful. I clocked the gun, demanding Michael talk, as he was acting suspicious now.

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Michael smiled. “You never fulfilled your contract, Sam gave... He tasked you with retrieving some Redeye, but now it's in the hands of the NCPD’s finest. But Sam is willing to let that go if you do another job for him, one that will square up everything between the two of you.”

Within a second, Michael disarmed me of my handgun, but thankfully I had a few tricks up my sleeve in the form of a knife I keep under my wrist. I placed the knife close to Michael’s neck, giving me the advantage once again.

“Try knives next time; it works better for close encounters,” I remarked.

Michael told me that Sam was willing to talk and that he would be at Lizzie's, as well as that he and his squad would take over the investigation of Kyle and his family while I completed the contract Sam wanted to give me.

I moved the knife away from his neck and put it back in its holster. As Michael was leaving, he said, “By the way, I respect the bravery you show... Willing to protect your friends takes courage.”

As Michael ordered his squad to follow him through the house, I picked up my handgun and told Henry and the rest to come out and that we would be going our separate ways.

Outside, I told the group what was going to happen: “This is where we go our separate ways. It seems that the Patriots are one step ahead of us, with this new group going after Kyle. I can't believe that I'm saying this, but for once, I'm going to follow Reese’s instructions. As for us four, it's best if we go our ways, but trust me, once I take care of some business, we are going after those Patriot basters.”

Before I gave Suzi and Alejandro ideas to pass the time, Alejandro said, "Hermano, whatever business you have, I'll help; I can't speak for everyone else, but I feel that the four of us work well together.”

I asked the others if they shared the same views as Alejandro, and they were hesitant as they hadn't seen Alejandro in a combat situation, whereas I have. But they were willing to work together as a group, and with the four of us agreeing to work as a group, I decided that our first gig together would be whatever Slippery Sam wanted.

We got in the car and headed for Lizzie’s bar. On the drive, Alejandro wanted to know more about both Henry and Suzi.

Alejandro recalled that Henry was also a made man in the Almano Crime Family, according to Max, and wanted to know what life was like working for Tony Almano.

Henry replied, “I worked with finance within the family as well as working alongside Max and another friend of ours, and to the disappointment of my friend here. I felt that negotiation was the best way to solve problems instead of pulling out a gun and threatening someone.”

Max chimed in, saying, “Hey. It's quick and efficient.”

Henry said that he would discuss more another time.

As for Suzi, she was hesitant to open up to someone she didn't know; she decided to only tell Alejandro that she is an amazing netrunner, and that was all he needed to know. Knowing that he had made a mistake, Alejandro apologized to Suzi and decided to open up about himself, telling Henry and Suzi what Max already knew about him.