Chapter 70: Trip to Miami

The Rosenberg Mansion, a helicopter landing pad.

Winter morning light spilled across the lawn, but inside the estate, everyone was already busy.

The Shadow squad members were carrying out their final equipment checks.

Black tactical cases were neatly lined up along the edge of the landing pad, packed with all kinds of advanced gear.

Chloe stood at the entrance of the main building, her hands clasped tightly together, worry clouding her eyes.

She wore a cream-colored knit dress, her golden hair lifting in the morning breeze.

"Leo..."

She called softly.

Leo was checking the magazine of a suppressed pistol. Hearing her voice, he turned around.

"What is it?"

Chloe walked up to him and lifted her head, those azure eyes full of reluctant emotion.

"Do you... Really have to go?"

Her voice was soft, trembling.

"Yeah."

Leo reached out and gently ruffled her hair.

"Don't worry. I will be back soon."

"But..."

Chloe bit her lip, wanting to say more.

A low rumble rolled in from outside the estate.

A black Maybach and a red Ferrari drove through the gates one after the other.

The Maybach's door opened.

Sophia, in a black trench coat and high heels, stepped out with her usual elegance.

The Ferrari's door lifted upward.

Ivy climbed out in a wine-red bodycon dress that showed off her stunning figure, sunglasses hiding part of her delicate, alluring face.

"Leo!"

Sophia walked quickly over, a flicker of worry in her eyes.

"I just heard you are going to Miami. Such a dangerous place?"

"Yeah."

Ivy also came over and slipped her hand around Leo's arm.

"Honey, Miami is a playground for South American gangs and mercenaries. I am not thrilled about you going in there on your own."

"Who said I am going alone?"

Leo said calmly.

"Relax. I will make it back in one piece."

"You say that every time..."

Chloe's eyes reddened.

"But every time you make everyone worry themselves sick..."

Leo was silent for a few seconds, then reached out and pulled all three women into his arms.

"I am sorry."

His voice was gentle but firm.

"But I do not have a choice here."

"Until the Nightfall organization is wiped out, none of you are really safe."

The three women said nothing, just held him tightly.

After a long moment, Sophia let go and drew in a deep breath.

"Then be careful."

She took a black card from her handbag and handed it to Leo.

"This is the Vanderbilts' emergency contact in Miami. If you run into trouble, call this number."

"I have one too."

Ivy also pulled out a gold card.

"The Drake family has several safe houses in Miami. The addresses and numbers are all on here."

Leo took both cards and tucked them away carefully.

"Thanks."

"Leo!"

A clear voice came from the main building.

Lily, in a black tracksuit with her golden hair in a ponytail, came running over, almost tripping as she hurried down the steps.

"Lily?"

Leo frowned.

"Why are you up so early?"

"I... I wanted to see you off..."

Lily ran up to him, breathing hard, her eyes full of reluctant sadness.

"Leo, you have to come back safe..."

"I will."

Leo reached out and gently patted her head.

"Train hard here at home. When I get back, I will check how much your combat skills have improved."

"OK!"

Lily nodded hard, but tears still spilled over despite her efforts to hold them back.

Leo sighed, took out a handkerchief from his pocket, and wiped her tears away.

"Do not cry. You are Luke's sister. You have to be strong."

"I... I know..."

Lily sobbed.

"I just... hate seeing you leave..."

"I will be back before you know it."

Leo ruffled her hair.

"Until I return, you need to keep yourself safe. And..."

He looked at Chloe, Sophia, and Ivy.

"Look out for them too."

"I will!"

Lily wiped her tears and nodded seriously.

"Boss, equipment check complete."

Olivia walked over and saluted.

"Ready to depart at any time."

"Good."

Leo turned to look at the Shadow squad members.

Four people, fully armed, stood in a straight line.

"This mission's target is the Nightfall organization's contact point in Miami."

Leo's voice was low and powerful.

"The enemy is South American mercenaries. Headcount unknown, strong combat capabilities."

"But I do not care how many there are, or how tough they are."

A cold gleam flashed in his eyes.

"I only want one outcome: we hit them, and none of them walk away."

"Nobody leaves that place alive."

"Yes, sir!"

The four answered in unison, their voices like thunder.

Leo walked to the equipment cases and opened one.

Inside, various advanced weapons and tools were laid out in precise rows.

Suppressed pistols, sniper rifles, night vision goggles, thermal imaging devices, C4 explosives, remote detonators...

Every piece was cutting-edge military hardware.

"Board."

Leo took one last look at the three women and Lily.

"Wait for me to come back."

With that, he strode toward the helicopter.

The Shadow squad members picked up the equipment cases and followed close behind.

The rotors began to spin, kicking up a roaring wind.

The helicopter rose slowly into the air.

Chloe, Sophia, Ivy, and Lily stood on the ground, watching the aircraft climb higher and higher.

Until it vanished on the horizon.

Half an hour later, on Long Island, at a private airfield.

A white Gulfstream G650 private jet sat waiting on the runway.

The helicopter touched down at the edge of the airfield.

Leo led the Shadow squad off the chopper and headed straight for the jet.

The stairs were already lowered.

Olivia went up first and boarded.

Inside, the cabin was luxurious but understated.

Leather seats, polished wood tables, a small bar...

Everything designed for comfort over long flights.

Leo sat in the front row, closed his eyes, and rested.

The cabin door swung open.

A woman with a stunning figure and high heels walked in with an easy, confident stride.

It was Serafina.

Today she wore a black leather bodysuit that traced every curve of her body.

Her wine-red curls spilled casually over her shoulders, and those narrow eyes lit up with heat the moment they landed on Leo.

"Well, Reaper."

Serafina smiled seductively, walked to the seat next to Leo, and sat down, crossing her legs.

"You made it."

"You came."

Leo replied evenly.

"Of course."

Serafina took a slim cigarette case from her handbag, drew out a lady's cigarette, and lit it with an elegant flick of her lighter.

"I keep my deals."

She exhaled a thin stream of smoke, her gaze sliding over Leo with deliberate suggestion.

"But, Reaper, the number of beauties around you seems to be growing."

"Out by the gates, I counted at least three women seeing you off."

"Tsk, tsk..."

She licked her red lips, her eyes full of playful envy.

"Hard not to be jealous."

"Enough."

Leo ignored the teasing.

"How much do you know about the situation in Miami?"

"Quite a lot."

Serafina's smile faded. She took a USB drive from her handbag and handed it to Olivia.

"This has all the intelligence I have collected in Miami over the years."

"Territory maps for the South American gangs, the list of corrupt cops in the department, how the local underground works..."

"I even got the internal layout of that Nightfall contact point."

Olivia took the USB drive and plugged it into her laptop.

The screen instantly filled with folders and files.

"This..."

Olivia stared at the screen, stunned.

"This intel is incredibly detailed..."

"Naturally."

Serafina smiled with quiet pride.

"I am a professional information broker."

"But, Reaper, I do need to warn you."

"Miami is not New York, and it sure is not Chicago."

"It really is a playground for South American gangs."

"The rules down there are nothing like what you are used to."

"There is no real law, no real order."

"Only jungle rules."

"The strong make the rules. The weak get eaten."

Leo said nothing, just listened.

"And..."

Serafina paused.

"Miami's underground is currently controlled by someone who calls himself Adder."

"He is bad news."

"He has more than a thousand mercenaries under him and controls almost all of Miami's drug and arms trade."

"Even the FBI does not like touching him head-on."

"Adder?"

A sharp light flashed in Leo's eyes.

"He tied to Nightfall?"

"Yes."

Serafina nodded.

"According to my intel, Adder has a long-term partnership with Nightfall."

"He provides weapons and safe houses. They help him get rid of rival crews."

"So..."

She looked at Leo, concern flickering in her eyes.

"If you attack Nightfall's contact point, you are picking a fight with Adder as well."

"He is not going to let that slide."

"Then let him come."

Leo's lips curled into a cold, contemptuous smile.

"I want to see just how venomous this Adder really is."