Alternatively

Unfair Game

They darted to the next stand, fishing for cash and eying the wall of balloons with determination. The teenage carnie paid little mind to his customers, exchanging three crumpled dollars for three darts before looking down at his phone. Soon enough, two balloons popped in rapid succession and the kids began arguing over the final throw.

He smothered his smile, scanning the area once more before tuning in on the conversation behind him.

"-valuable asset to the company."

"I'll have my lawyers send over the papers, but as of now, I have no qualms with it."

The boy's father expressed a practically audible eye roll. "Of course. Should I take three weeks out to review all your fine print?"

"You? Take a full month."

Their polite laughter was edged with steel.

Argus continued to look over the fair grounds and tried not to get emotionally and mentally worked up. He was just the security detail, the silent body guard; he wasn't paid to have an opinion on the affairs of the elite.

Besides, it was common practice to join major companies through marriage, ensuring the major families would continue to monopolize any and all markets.

"You stole it from me!"

He peeked over the rim of his sunglasses, shifting to discreetly follow the kids as they moved to another booth.

"Did not, you put it down."

"That doesn't mean it's yours!"

The girl flipped her hair in his face. "Finder's keepers."

"Unbelievable," the young heir grumbled, patting down his pockets. "You get to pay next, then."

Their caretaker for the day forked over more of the loaned cash to the heiress, chastising them both for making a fuss in public. It was enough for Argus to actually roll his eyes; if either boss bothered to keep a full time nanny on hand, the bickering would not be met with such a shocked reaction. The twelve year olds had been forced together their whole lives, whether at work functions or at the private schools they seemed to rotate in and out of. Their friendship bloomed from arguing, plotting, and arguing some more.

They were harmless kids, behaving like harmless kids seeking attention from each other and their parents.

A chill ran up his spine and he checked the grounds again, carefully combing over faces and into the shadows between attractions. One, two, three members of his team lounged deceptively in lines and browsed through booths, also watching vigilantly as the would be family made it's way through the fair.

Sure, let's all gather and talk marriage at the state fair, he groused, scratching the eye tattoo on his bicep. It's not like there are several points of entry and no real way to tell who comes in contact with the heirs, but why listen to the head of security?

It wasn't that he didn't trust his boss's judgement, he just didn't like the unnecessary risk.

Screams slashed through the air as one of the rides zipped around, drawing the attention of the kids. Annabeth tugged on her partner's sleeve, pointing past the ferris wheel to some sort of sling shot contraption. Seeing the excitement on her face, Percy's trepidation was pushed down in favor of obliging her genuine request. It was moments like that Argus knew there was more to their petty rivalry passed down from their parents.

But he wasn't supposed to get involved.

"It's getting late."

He allowed the two powerhouses to pass him, standing to the left as they veered for the exits.