Immediately the man gestured for Leo to sit so they could have dinner together.
The crystal chandelier cast dancing shadows across plates of wagyu beef and truffle risotto.
Leo sat comfortably in his high-backed chair, his police badge hidden beneath his tailored jacket.
"Dock 17 is perfect,"
Leo explained, pulling up detailed maps on his phone.
His fingers, once used to protect the innocent, now traced routes for trafficking children.
"I've personally vetted the night shift. with all our people."
Leo dabbed his mouth with a silk napkin.
"And our usual obstacles?"
"Officer Avery the last time I saw she is acting really suspicious, really suspicious,"
Leo replied, taking a slow sip of hundred-year-old scotch.
"But I've arranged a special assignment for her tomorrow. she'll be investigating a false lead on the other side of the city, you have nothing to worry about."
'Sorry, Avery,'
Leo thought briefly, before pushing away the last remnants of his conscience.
'Can't have honest cops asking questions.'
"Excellent work as always,"
The man praised, cutting into his perfectly cooked steak. Blood-red juices ran across the white china. "The last shipment's profits exceeded expectations. Your cut has been transferred."
Leo nodded, remembering when he used to chase down criminals instead of working for them. But money had a way of drowning out old ideals.
"The harbor master?"
Leo inquired.
"Taken care of,"
Leo answered smoothly.
"The coast will be clear tomorrow night. You can move the merchandise without any... complications."
At that moment both of them couldn't help but smile as they discussed the fate of young lives over wine that cost more than their families would see in a year.
Each bite of gourmet food was seasoned with betrayal of everything the police badge stood for.
"You've become indispensable, Leo"
the man observed with a cold smile.
"Much more reliable than–."
"He's a fool"
Leo quickly interrupted.
He knows it was Kai the man was referring to, Leo hand tightened briefly around his wine glass.
"Kai was too idealistic,"
he said, forcing casualness into his voice.
"He Never understood how the world really works, we have nothing to worry about he's dead now."
The man nodded then said.
"To another successful shipment," Leo raised his crystal glass, the $5,000 wine catching the light like liquid rubies.
"The profits from this batch will make our last haul look like pocket change."
"To knowing how the world really works,"
Leo added with a cynical smile. His police badge felt heavy under his jacket.
'Who needs morals when you have millions?'
he thought, savoring the aged scotch.
At that moment they heard a sound.
"BANG!"
The mahogany door exploded inward, splintering on its gold hinges.
A guard stumbled through, with terror etched on his face.
"Sir, we're under att—"
"PFFT!"
The whisper of the silencer was almost gentle. The guard's head dissolved into red mist.
His body hit the imported marble with a wet thud.
Leo's wine glass shattered as it hit the floor.
immediately Leo overturned his chair scrambling to his feet, his hand already reaching for his weapon. Their eyes fixed on the dark figure filling the doorway, radiating cold fury.
"Who the hell are you?"
Leo's voice cracked, his usual smooth confidence evaporating. "Do you know who I am?"
A bitter laugh echoed from beneath the hood.
"I know exactly who you are. A monster who profits from people suffering. Who turns children into merchandise."
At that moment Leo's finger trembled on his gun's trigger. Something about that voice...
"Your empire of evil ends tonight," Kai continued.
"Your guards? They are all Dead. Your servants? Dead. Everyone who helped you destroy innocent lives has paid the price."
At that moment Kai turned slightly toward Leo.
"Even old friends who betrayed their badges. Their oath to protect and serve."
Upon hearing what Kai just said The man's face twisted into a predator's smile, years of hidden malice surfacing.
"I must admit,"
he sneered, fingers dancing under the custom mahogany table.
"taking out my security was... impressive. But did you really think I wouldn't have contingencies?"
Immediately Kai's enhanced senses screamed warnings. His system interface highlighted unusual heat signatures within the walls, mapping out hidden compartments he'd missed.
'How many?'
he thought frantically.
"CLICK!"
The man clicked the button under his dining table.
immediately Darkness exploded through the room. Kai's vision shifted automatically, rendering the world in tactical blue hues - but his heart nearly stopped.
Seeing Red laser dots suddenly bloomed across his chest and head like deadly flowers.
Immediately the man gave the order.
"KILL HIM!"
The command cracked through the darkness like a whip.
But before Kai could move, his interface flashed.
[Target is running away]