Chapter 184 Return

Chapter 184 Return

United States, New York.

The Rosenberg Mansion.

Unlike the gloomy rain and bloody violence that hung over Europe, New York's nights felt busy but quietly luxurious.

Chloe wore a cream knit cardigan, curled up lazily on the leather couch. Her slim fingers stirred the now-cold coffee in her cup without thinking. Her eyes, once bright like blue gems, now looked a little sad and full of longing.

Her gaze stayed on the photo on her phone screen — a picture of her and Leo by Lake Michigan. In it, Leo had a rare gentle smile, and she leaned on his broad shoulder, grinning with her eyes curved.

"Chloe, looking at Leo's photo again?"

Lily sat on the couch across from her, hugging a stuffed toy. She blinked her big clear eyes, her tone mixing worry and teasing.

Lily was eighteen now, no longer awkward and shy. She had grown into a graceful young woman. Her features were delicate and pretty, her long golden hair falling like a waterfall over her shoulders. You could see a bit of Luke in her face.

"Yeah..."

Chloe sighed softly and set her phone on the table. "Leo's been in Europe for almost a month. He texts every day to say he's fine, but... it still doesn't feel real."

Her voice was soft, full of worry she couldn't hide. "You know what he's up against — The Evernight Order is huge. Every time I see news about explosions or shootings, my heart jumps. I'm scared that..."

"Chloe, don't overthink it."

Lily put down the toy, walked over, and sat beside her. She took Chloe's slightly cold hands in hers. "Leo's Reaper. He took down the Drake family, the Romano family, the Gray Cloaks, and Nightfall. A group like The Evernight Order won't stop him."

"You have to trust him. He promised you he'd come back safe and marry you."

Chloe forced a small smile at Lily's words and squeezed her hand back.

"I know. I do believe him. It's just..." Chloe bit her lip, her voice catching. "I just miss him so much. I want to hear his voice, see him, and..."

She didn't finish.

The heavy oak door to the living room was knocked on from outside.

Chloe paused, frowning a little. She'd told the butler not to let anyone disturb her this afternoon. The staff knew her habits — they wouldn't knock now unless it was urgent.

"Who is it?"

Chloe fixed her messy hair and stood up to walk to the door.

No answer came, just a few more soft knocks.

Chloe reached the door, wrapped her fingers around the handle, and pulled it open.

The next second, she froze.

A man stood outside in a black tailored coat, holding a big bouquet of roses. His sharp, handsome face, deep starry eyes, and the familiar small smile at the corner of his mouth.

Leo!

"...Leo?"

Chloe could hardly believe her eyes. Her blue eyes went wide, her voice shaking. "You... how did you..."

"Surprised?"

Leo smiled at her, warm and fond, and held out the neatly wrapped roses. "I missed you, so I came back."

Seeing the man she'd been thinking about day and night, Chloe's eyes turned red at once. She reached out with a trembling hand and took the heavy bouquet. The petals still had tiny drops of water on them and smelled fresh and sweet.

"You... weren't you in Europe? Why did you suddenly..."

Her voice was thick with tears now, and they started sliding down her cheeks.

"Things in Europe are on hold for now."

Leo reached out with his rough hand and gently wiped the tears from her eyes. His voice was so soft it felt like it could melt. "Louis Valois is dead. Erwin took over the Valois family. The Evernight Order won't make big moves for a while. I figured instead of waiting around over there, I'd rather come back and be with you."

He left some things out.

Leo didn't tell Chloe that Erwin was now his key inside man in The Evernight Order.

He also didn't say that coming back to the U.S. wasn't just to see her — it was also to make The Evernight Order lower their guard. Let those rats think Reaper had given up chasing them and gone home to enjoy life.

Meanwhile, Erwin would quietly dig deeper into The Evernight Order, gathering their most hidden secrets. When the time was right, Leo would strike back in Europe and finish them off.

But he didn't want Chloe to know any of that dark planning. Around her, he just wanted to be a regular guy who'd finished a job and rushed home to see the woman he loved.

"Leo..."

Chloe couldn't hold back anymore. She dropped the roses and threw herself into his arms, wrapping her arms tight around his waist and burying her face in his chest.

"I missed you so much... really missed you..."

Her voice was muffled and shaky from crying, and her warm tears soaked the front of his shirt.

Leo lowered his head and pressed a soft kiss to the top of her golden hair, patting her back gently with his big hand. "I'm here now, aren't I?"

Just then, a soft cough came from inside the living room.

Lily had walked to the door at some point. She looked at the two of them holding each other tight, a playful smile on her face.

"Leo’s back? Then I won’t bother you two."

She winked, clearly knowing when to leave them alone. "Chloe, you two take your time. I’ll go read in the study. Remember to lock the door~."

With that, Lily covered her mouth and left the living room with a quiet laugh, thoughtfully closing the door behind her.

At the soft click of the door, Chloe’s face turned bright red.

She suddenly realized they were still standing in the doorway. She quickly let go of him and lowered her head, looking a little flustered.

"I… I was just too excited…"

Her voice was very soft now, and her slim fingers nervously twisted the hem of her shirt.

"Excited about what?"

A teasing, affectionate look flashed in Leo’s eyes. He lifted Chloe’s chin with his hand, making her look up at him. "Shouldn’t you be excited to see me?"

"I…"

Chloe bit her lip, her blue eyes full of shyness.

"What?"

Leo leaned down, his warm breath brushing her cheek. "Didn’t you miss me?"

"I did…"

Chloe’s voice grew smaller, her face flushed. "I missed you like crazy…"

Before she could say anything else, Leo didn’t give her time to react. He leaned in and kissed her red lips.

Chloe let out a soft sound and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck. She stood on her toes and kissed him back eagerly, pouring all the longing of the past month into it.

Their lips and tongues tangled together, breaths mixing, heartbeats syncing. The kiss was deep and full of feeling.

After a long moment, they parted.

Chloe leaned against his chest, breathing hard, her face red and her eyes hazy.

"Leo…"

She whispered his name, her voice full of longing. "These past weeks, I dreamed about you every night. I saw you getting hurt in fights, surrounded by enemies… I was so scared… so scared of losing you…"

"You won’t."

Leo held her tighter, his voice low and steady. "I promised you I’d come back safe and marry you. No one in this world can kill me."

"But… The Evernight Order is so powerful, and you’re alone…"

"Who said I’m alone?"

Leo tapped her nose lightly. "I have the Shadow team, your family’s support, and…" He paused, a meaningful look in his eyes. "And a trump card already inside The Evernight Order. It won’t be long before they start falling apart from within."

Even though Leo said it casually, Chloe knew it must have involved countless life-and-death fights.

She didn't ask further. She just stood on tiptoe and kissed Leo's lips again. This time, she kissed more proactively, more passionately. Her slender fingers threaded into Leo's hair, clumsily yet fervently intertwining with him.

Leo’s breathing grew heavier.

"Chloe…"

His voice turned rough, his big hand sliding along her slim waist. "If you keep doing this… I won’t be able to hold back…"

"Then… don’t hold back…"

Chloe bit her lip, looking at him with hazy eyes, her voice soft and sweet. "I… I miss you… I want you…"

Those words lit the fire in Leo’s eyes completely.

He swept her up in his arms and strode toward the bedroom door at the back of the living room.

"Ah!"

Chloe let out a small cry and instinctively wrapped her arms around his neck.

"Leo… you…"

"Don’t talk."

Leo lowered his head and whispered in her ear in a low, sexy voice, "Today, I’m going to take good care of you."

As soon as he finished speaking, he kicked the bedroom door open.

He carried Chloe inside and locked the door behind them with his free hand.

The heavy wooden door shut, cutting off the outside world completely.

Warm sunlight filtered through the curtains into the spacious European-style bedroom.

Leo gently laid Chloe on the large bed with silk sheets.

Her golden hair spread across the white pillow, and her light blue eyes were full of shyness and anticipation.

"Leo…"

Chloe reached out her slim arms and wrapped them around his neck. "Come here…"

Leo leaned down and kissed her red lips again. This kiss was wilder and more possessive than before.

His big hands started unbuttoning her knit cardigan, one button, two, three…

As the buttons came undone, a large stretch of smooth skin was exposed to the air.

Chloe let out a soft moan, her slim fingers clutching tightly at Leo’s shirt.

Outside the window, the sun was shining brightly.

Inside the bedroom, two bodies entwined on the soft bed, moving together in the most natural and intimate way. Time seemed to stand still.

All the schemes, killings, and hatred outside were pushed aside.

Right now, there was only each other, and this deep, unforgettable love and longing.

After some time, when everything finally calmed down.

Chloe curled up in Leo’s arms like a satisfied kitten. Her face was still flushed from what they’d done, and fine beads of sweat clung to her forehead.

"Leo…"

Her voice was hoarse as she whispered, her slim fingers tracing circles on his chest. "This time… can you stay with me for a few more days?"

"Of course."

Leo kissed her forehead softly. "At least a month."

"Really?"

Chloe lifted her head suddenly, her blue eyes full of surprise.

"Yes."

Leo pinched her nose affectionately. "Things in Europe don’t need me right now. I can stay here and keep you company."

"That’s great…"

Chloe smiled like a happy child and nuzzled against him. "Then can we go see a movie tomorrow? And… I want to go to the amusement park…"

"Whatever you want."

Leo smiled and agreed.

Looking at the girl in his arms, whose eyes curved with joy because of his promise, Leo felt a wave of warmth in his chest.

This was what he fought so hard to protect.

Not power, not glory — but the chance to hold the person he loved and see her smile safely in his arms.