Even though Echo wasn’t familiar with the most advanced tech in the world, she could tell something big had been discovered based on how Adolph, who usually wouldn’t dare touch her, was suddenly so eager.
Sitting in the car with a scowl, she stared out the window, annoyed. She had planned on shopping today, and her plans were now ruined.
At the mafia’s computer control center, Echo watched as Adolph didn’t even bother hiding anything from her. He tossed her aside and focused on his team, who began analyzing the chip they had recovered.
Strings of code flashed across the screen, with programs being rapidly decoded. The constant flickering lights on the computer screens were dizzying, and Echo raised an eyebrow as she observed the cold, expressionless man skillfully working.
Not bad, she thought. This guy is even better than Bill.
“Where’s the shipment now?” A calm voice suddenly came through the computer speakers.
A cold smirk spread across Adolph’s face, but he stayed silent, listening in.
“It’s on the way and should arrive the day after tomorrow,” a woman’s voice replied.
Echo immediately straightened up in her chair. It was Cecily’s voice.
Adolph noticed Echo’s surprised expression and gave a smug smile. “This is the latest recording device from this year. Only a limited batch was produced for a select few. The recording quality is the best, and it’s the most portable and discreet on the market. It’s highly secure-only the customer knows the password to retrieve the recordings. But lucky for us, the developer just so happens to work for us.”
Echo raised an eyebrow at Adolph but said nothing. So, it was just a recorder after all.
Cecily thought she was being clever by recording conversations, but it ended up working in Adolph’s favor. No wonder he was so excited when he saw the chip.
“The Dark family is here, so be careful. Ryan isn’t someone to be underestimated,” said the calm voice again.
“I know. Even if Ryan figures out it’s me, without proof, he can’t do anything about it. Sure, his Dark family runs the underworld, but I’m no pushover either. If he thinks he can wipe me out quietly, he’s in for a surprise,” Cecily said, sounding both proud and arrogant.
“True, without evidence, he can’t pin anything on you. But that doesn’t mean he’ll just let it go. Be cautious. The sooner you get rid of the shipment, the better. Don’t leave anything behind that could come back to bite you. He lost this batch, he’ll have no way to answer to the Middle East.”
“The Australians have already sent someone to pick it up. There’s no chance of failure. And if the Dark family or my dear son tries to follow, they’ll be in for quite the surprise,” Cecily laughed coldly.
“Australia? The buyer for this shipment is in Australia? Shit, how can it be Australia?” Adolph’s face changed, like he couldn’t believe what he just heard.
Echo shot Adolph a curious look but smartly kept quiet.
Why couldn’t it be Australia?
As long as there are people in the world, there will be wars, and with wars comes the demand for weapons.
Why would Australia be any different? It wasn’t some paradise untouched by conflict.
Adolph’s surprise was a bit amusing.
Adolph’s shock only lasted a moment before he regained his composure. He quickly contacted Ryan, saying, “Ryan, change of plans. The shipment is heading to Australia. It’ll probably be in the buyer’s hands the day after tomorrow. We don’t have much time.”
Originally, Adolph had assumed the buyer was someone from the Middle East, so he wasn’t too concerned about timing or the destination. And he definitely wasn’t worried about Ryan-Ryan was hugely influential in the Middle East, where his presence was both welcomed and feared. The moment Ryan got involved, whoever was buying or selling would have to answer to him.
But now, with the shipment going to Australia, the situation was completely reversed, and just figuring out the logistics in time had become a challenge, let alone dealing with the buyer.
A flurry of orders was given, and seeing that there was nothing for her to do, Echo shrugged and started slipping out.
Weapons? Not her thing.
Chasing after weapons? Definitely not her thing.
Ryan and the others could handle that on their own without worrying. She was more concerned about getting something to eat-she hadn’t had breakfast yet, and now she was starving.
“You’re coming with me to meet Ryan.” Before she could reach the door, Adolph’s hand landed on her shoulder, stopping her in her tracks. His voice was firm.
Echo immediately turned and protested, “Why? Why do I have to go? I’m not going! Ryan didn’t tell me to go.”
Clearly, nothing good was waiting for her over there. She wasn’t about to walk into trouble just because Adolph said so. She finally had a break from Ryan watching over her, and there was no way she was going to throw herself back into the fire.
Adolph saw how determined Echo was and didn’t argue. He just nodded and said, “Fine, don’t go. But Cecily will realize soon enough that her chip’s missing, and I don’t know what she’ll do. I’m pulling all the top guys from the mafia to help Ryan. If you stay here, I can’t guarantee your safety. Don’t come crying to me if something happens. Someone, prep the plane.” Without another word, he strode out.
Echo gritted her teeth, glaring after Adolph’s retreating, but her feet didn’t hesitate to follow him quickly.
Was he serious? Leaving her here alone while taking all the top fighters? That would be like signing her own death warrant.
There wasn’t much to think about-being with Ryan was definitely safer than staying here by herself.
Adolph was just as ruthless as Ryan. They were two peas in a pod. They are both annoying.
Sitting on the military plane, the fastest in the world, Echo remained silent.
Was this for real? Broad daylight and they were using a government military aircraft?
Adolph was seriously bold, and way too… powerful. They were using planes that were supposed to be for the government and the military.
Damn, this world has no justice.
Echo had thought her life was pretty intense before. But now, she realized that she had been a frog in a well, seeing only the small sky above her own little world.
What she used to think was exciting now seemed laughable compared to what she was dealing with now.
This was real excitement.
Looking around the huge space inside the plane, Echo noticed the crates labeled with advanced weapons she had only seen on TV-if even there.
Handguns? Nope, not here.
Machine guns? No way, too basic.
Rocket launchers? Those seemed small-time compared to the top-tier, cutting-edge, powerful weapons filling the plane.
Echo kept silent, taking it all in.
The underworld, dominated by arms dealers, definitely wasn’t a joke.
A plane full of these weapons could wipe out a whole city. Who would dare mess with people like this?
It really was the fastest plane in the world. In half a day, they flew across the Eurasian continent and hovered above Oceania.
Echo wasn’t sure if staying silent or speaking up would be better.
They didn’t land at an airport, but instead, on what looked like a well-manicured golf course. In the darkness, two rows of headlights created a runway, bright as day.
Adolph’s plane glided along the makeshift runway and smoothly landed in the center of the course.
Following Adolph off the plane, Echo spotted Ryan in the distance, standing still in a black suit that blended him into the night. His entire presence, however, made it impossible for anyone to ignore him.