Good news.
After speaking with Daniel Pine, Alex Cross confirmed that Lena had not lied.
In fact, much of the information Lena had given him wasn't even known to Daniel.
This outcome raised Alex Cross's trust in Lena just slightly.
However, since Lena had mentioned the mayor's true plan—to provoke him, draw him to Prague for a confrontation, then seize the chance to pry out the training method of the Berserker Warriors, and finally dispose of him—Alex Cross couldn't help but laugh coldly.
As expected.
Those who could survive in this blood-soaked world were all ruthless and calculating.
He himself had considered killing others out of mere irritation.
And they, in turn, schemed to eliminate him simply because he didn't cooperate.
Leaving Daniel's room, Alex Cross wore a faint smile.
He was genuinely looking forward to seeing that old man in Prague… kneeling, begging for his life.
Top Floor.
As soon as Alex Cross stepped into his room, the White Widow appeared before him, draped in silk nightwear, radiating temptation.
One hand held a glass of whiskey.
The other pressed gently against her lips, before offering the drink to Alex Cross.
After he tasted a sip, she smoothly took the glass back, slid her arm through his, and guided him across the lounge into the bedroom.
The lights were soft.
The atmosphere seductive.
Alex Cross sipped his whiskey slowly, standing in the center of the room.
The White Widow's arms hooked around his neck as she swayed her hips, lowering herself gradually.
Her silk nightdress slipped from her shoulders.
Alex Cross drank, mouthful by mouthful.
Finally, he drained the last drop, scooped her up, and tossed her onto the soft bed.
He tore off his tie, shed his jacket, and reached out to grasp her delicate bare feet, pulling them into his embrace…
A muffled moan.
The bed began to creak and sway.
Much later.
The White Widow lay against his chest, deeply satisfied, her voice soft and gentle:
"I heard you'll be heading to Prague soon?"
"Mmhmm," Alex Cross replied casually.
At once, she lifted her head, her gaze gleaming as she shared her thoughts.
"I spoke with Margarita today, checking the Lighthouse's recent weapons production and sales data. Sales in New York have been decent, but only just enough to cover the hotel's operating expenses…"
"So what's your point?" Alex Cross asked, intrigued.
The White Widow rolled off him, slipped on her nightdress, and opened the bedroom door.
She let Anna, Fox, and Nikita enter before continuing.
"I plan to expand our arms business. I've already drafted a detailed plan."
"Let's hear it." Alex Cross grew more interested, allowing Nikita to help him change into sleepwear while the White Widow, eyes hungry, admired his physique.
She continued:
"We still have plenty of weapons left from the Camorra family stockpile. That made me think of the D'Antonio family—one of the Twelve High Table's second-seats.
"For example, the Russian Mob headquartered in Berlin, with branches like the Ruska Roma in New York. Conveniently, our organization now has a strong relationship with their top assassin… John Wick.
"I believe that after seeing the strength the Lighthouse has demonstrated, the Russian Mob would gladly deepen ties with us. If we sell at slightly below market price, we could open international markets quickly while forging partnerships with influential families."
She laid it all out.
And Alex Cross listened carefully.
Truth be told, business was not his strength.
But the White Widow… she was a professional.
Her proposal gave him a much clearer strategy for the future.
"So, what's your plan?" he finally asked when she had finished.
The White Widow didn't hold back.
"I plan to leave tomorrow. First to Berlin to negotiate preliminarily with the Russians, then London, Paris, Austria, and finally meet you in Prague."
"So you worried I wouldn't agree—so you made sure to 'satisfy' me first?" Alex Cross teased with a smile.
The White Widow only laughed seductively and replied without shame:
"No… I was simply craving you."
Alex Cross had to admit it.
This woman had a deadly allure for him.
Shaking off the distracting thoughts, he weighed it over carefully—then agreed to her plan.
He even arranged a special team to accompany her:
Fox and Nikita with the Sisterhood to guard her safety, Becky as the intelligence officer, plus several trusted operatives.
The White Widow raised no objections.
With that decided, Alex Cross went to sleep.
Before leaving New York, there were still matters to settle.
And beyond that, he needed to further enhance his own overall strength.
Because in Europe, it wasn't only the Hallstatt Tribe that wanted him dead.
There was also the Camorra family—who had received Ares's corpse, and yet… had made no move at all.
This journey to Europe was destined to be filled with danger.
Alex Cross had to be fully prepared.
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If you're interested, you can read advanced chapters:
pat reon .com / Samorash