Chapter 69: Late-Night Tenderness

Late at night, the Rosenberg Mansion.

The Maybach pulled up at the entrance of the Rosenberg Mansion.

Leo walked into the main building alone, taking off his coat and casually hanging it on the rack.

"Where's Ms. Black?"

"She's waiting for you in the study," the butler answered respectfully.

Leo nodded and headed straight for the second-floor study.

The study door was slightly ajar, with dim yellow light spilling through.

Leo pushed the door open.

Flames crackled quietly in the fireplace, casting the entire room in a warm, intimate glow.

Chloe stood with her back to the door, facing the large floor-to-ceiling window.

She had changed out of her evening gown and into a black silk slip nightdress that barely covered the top of her thighs, revealing two straight, slender legs.

Soft moonlight streamed through the window onto her body, tracing the lines of her graceful curves and making her seem like a black rose blooming in the dark — beautiful and dangerous.

Hearing footsteps, Chloe slowly turned around.

She didn't speak, just walked to the bar, poured Leo a glass of whiskey, then, holding the glass, walked barefoot toward him step by step.

"Leo..."

She handed him the glass, her deep blue eyes reflecting the firelight like an unfathomably deep lake, filled with thick worry.

"I heard... about what happened with Rhys."

Leo took the glass and downed it in one gulp. "He's fine."

"I know he's fine."

Chloe reached out with her slender arms, gently wrapping them around Leo's waist from behind, pressing her cheek against his broad back.

"But I'm worried about you."

Her voice was soft, with a slight tremor. "That Elena is from the Nightfall organization. They must have their eyes on you now."

"You're going to take risks again, aren't you?"

"In a couple of days, I need to go to Miami."

Leo didn't hide it, his voice low. "Nightfall has a contact point there. I'm going to take it down."

Chloe held him tighter.

"Miami... that place is a paradise for South American gangs and mercenaries. It's too dangerous."

"Leo, can you... not go?"

She looked up, her eyes full of pleading. "I know I have no right to ask anything of you, but I really... I'm really worried about you."

"I'm afraid... I'm afraid you'll be like Luke, never coming back..."

Leo turned around, looking at her eyes brimming with tears, touched in the softest part of his heart.

He raised his hand and gently wiped away the tears from the corners of her eyes.

"Don't worry, I'm not Luke."

His voice was unusually gentle. "There's no one in this world who can kill me."

"But..."

"No buts."

Leo cut her off, a playful smile curving his lips. "However... if you're really that worried about me..."

He leaned down, his nose almost touching hers.

"I could really use your... care."

Chloe's cheeks instantly flushed red, her heart skipping a beat.

Before she could react.

Leo had already swept her up in his arms and was striding toward the bedroom.

"Ah!"

Chloe cried out, instinctively wrapping her arms around his neck.

Leo gently placed her on the soft bed and leaned over her, his hands braced on either side of her body.

"Leo..."

Chloe looked into his eyes, deep as the night, her heart pounding so hard it felt like it would burst out.

"I... I haven't showered yet..."

Leo suddenly said in a low voice.

Chloe froze for a moment, then her cheeks turned even redder.

She looked at Leo, mustered her courage, and reached out with her slender arms to hook around his neck.

"Then... shower together?"

In the bathroom, water flowed and steam rose.

On the foggy glass door, two intertwined silhouettes were reflected.

Their panting and soft moans mixed with the sound of running water, weaving a sensual symphony.

This night was destined to be a sleepless one.

The next day, in the afternoon.

Lower Manhattan, at that familiar underground fight club.

Leo, dressed in black casual wear, wearing a baseball cap and sunglasses, walked through the noisy crowd straight toward the VIP room in the back.

Two burly guards were about to stop him.

Leo just lifted his eyelids and glanced at them.

The two men instantly froze as if struck by lightning, instinctively stepping aside and lowering their heads, not daring to breathe.

Leo pushed the door open.

Inside the room, Serafina was lounging lazily on a leather sofa, swirling a glass of red wine in her hand.

Today, she wore a tight red leather dress that showed off her explosive figure.

"Well, well, well... Reaper, what brings you to my little place?"

Hearing the door open, she lifted her long, narrow eyes and licked her red lips.

"Did you overdo it last night? You don't look so good."

Leo ignored her teasing and walked straight over to sit across from her.

"I need your help."

Serafina raised an eyebrow. "What kind of help?"

"I'm going to Miami in a couple of days."

Leo exhaled a puff of smoke. "I need someone who knows the local underground world."

"Miami?"

A gleam flashed in Serafina's eyes.

"You're going after Nightfall's base in Miami?"

"Yes."

Leo nodded.

"Interesting."

Serafina put down her glass and stood up.

"But... Reaper, do you think I'll help you for free?"

"Of course not."

Leo also stood up. "Same as always. Beat you, and you help me."

"Hahaha..."

Serafina laughed, her whole body shaking with laughter.

"I love how direct you are."

She took off her leather jacket, revealing a black sports tank top underneath.

"Come on. Let me see if the great Reaper has gotten rusty lately."

The two left the room and came to the fight club's private ring.

It was an independent cage ring, specially used for private matches for VIP clients.

There was no audience around, only dim yellow lights.

Serafina loosened her wrists and took a fighting stance.

"Come on."

Leo took off his coat and casually tossed it aside.

He didn't take a stance, just stood there quietly.

But the oppressive aura emanating from his very bones made Serafina's heart tighten.

"Whoosh!"

Serafina launched the first attack, her figure flashing like a ghost to Leo's side, a whip kick sweeping viciously toward his ribs.

Leo raised his hand to block.

"Bang!"

Fist met palm with a dull thud.

"Nice strength."

Serafina's lips curved into a smile as she used the momentum to retreat, then immediately followed with a rapid series of attacks.

Punches and kicks poured down like a rainstorm.

But Leo handled them with ease, deflecting every attack effortlessly.

After ten minutes, Serafina was panting, her forehead covered in sweat.

Meanwhile, Leo's breathing hadn't even quickened.

"You... you held back again..."

Serafina gritted her teeth. "That's not like you, Reaper."

"Because I need you."

Leo said flatly. "In one piece."

Serafina paused, then laughed.

"So... you want me to come to Miami with you?"

Leo nodded. "Nightfall's base in Miami isn't easy to deal with. I need someone who knows the local situation."

"And you..."

Leo looked at her. "You're the best choice."

Serafina was silent for a few seconds.

Then she smiled.

A seductive smile.

"Alright."

She walked up to Leo and lightly pressed a finger against his chest.

"But..."

She licked her red lips. "This time won't be free."

"Conditions?"

Leo raised an eyebrow.

"Simple."

Serafina leaned close to him, her red lips almost touching his ear.

"After this operation..."

She paused, her voice becoming sultry and alluring.

"You spend one night with me."

Leo looked into her deep eyes and was silent for a few seconds.

"Deal."

"Hahaha..."

Serafina laughed happily, standing on her tiptoes to plant a kiss on Leo's cheek.

"Then it's settled."

"When do we leave?"

"Day after tomorrow."

Leo turned and grabbed his coat from the cage.

"Day after tomorrow, nine in the morning. Meet at the Rosenberg Mansion."

"No problem."

Serafina smiled seductively. "I'll be there on time."

Leo said nothing more and left the fight club.

Serafina stood there, watching his retreating figure, a complex emotion flashing in her eyes.

"Reaper..."

She murmured. "You're becoming more and more fascinating."

She turned and walked back to the room, picked up her phone, and dialed an encrypted number.

"Hello, it's me."

"Get me intel on Miami."

"Yes, as detailed as possible."

"And..."

She paused, a cold glint flashing in her eyes.

"Tell the guys in Miami there's big business coming."

After hanging up, Serafina sat back on the sofa, picked up her wine glass, and gently swirled the crimson liquid.