Richard and Neil Return
The two had gone to scout the Spaniard's underground boxing ring.
Neil reported, "There are seven to eight matches a night at the boxing ring. The cash in circulation is around $30,000 to $40,000, and they have six armed security guards."
$30,000 to $40,000, Hardy thought, wasn’t enough.
It wasn’t worth risking a conflict with the Spaniards over such a small amount. As they were discussing the situation, Leo and Kerry returned.
Leo entered the room, visibly excited. "Boss, we made a big discovery at the Spanish loan shark company."
Leo and Kerry had visited the Spanish loan shark company, posing as businessmen looking to open a shoe factory in Los Angeles. They claimed they didn’t have enough funds and needed an emergency loan.
Kerry, who had previously worked in a shoe factory, was able to speak convincingly about the business.
When asked how much they wanted to borrow, Kerry said they were looking for $15,000.
"What assets do you have, how will you use the money, and how do you plan to repay it?" asked the loan company staff.
Kerry explained they had already rented a factory and spent $20,000 on machinery and some raw materials. The only problem was that they were short on materials to complete a large order they had received, which would generate immediate revenue upon completion.
The loan shark company seemed interested, as this kind of loan was good business for them.
The staff member mentioned that the loan would require collateral and said they would send someone to inspect the factory. Kerry agreed, knowing it was all a bluff anyway.
During the negotiations, people from the loan shark company moved in and out, and Leo kept a close eye on everything.
Some workers carried boxes, their conversations mentioning the casino, indicating that it was likely money from the gambling operations. Others talked about the company’s income from various businesses like bars, nightclubs, drugs, and more.
Leo looked at Hardy and said, "Boss, I think the Spanish loan shark company is also their financial hub. All the funds seem to pass through there for review. If that's the case, there could be a lot of money there."
Hardy considered the operations of the Austrian gang. Their loan shark and finance companies were integrated, so it made sense that the Spaniards operated similarly.
But how much money was stored there was still unclear.
"Boss, which target do you think we should hit?" Henry asked.
Everyone turned to Hardy, waiting for his decision. Hardy weighed his options and then made up his mind.
"The casino!"
"The blackjack tournament is happening the day after tomorrow. We’ll strike that night. Let’s start planning."
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The men nodded eagerly, paying close attention to Hardy’s instructions.
"Sean and Ryder, you two will drive. You know the streets of Los Angeles best."
Sean and Ryder nodded in agreement.
"Steal two cars for the operation. We’ll park our own cars on a side street, and if we get chased, we can easily switch cars to throw them off. Leo and Kerry, you’re in charge of getting the cars."
"No problem, boss," Leo responded confidently, having worked as a car mechanic. Stealing cars was second nature to him.
"Richard, you’re in charge of checking the firearms. Neil, prepare grenades and explosives in case things get out of hand. Henry and Matthew, you’ll gather hoods and backpacks."
The team responded in unison, ready for action.
The next day, everything proceeded calmly. Each man set about his assigned task. Hardy and Sean Ryder spent the day delivering goods to various bars and later arrived at the Bunny Nightclub in the evening.
The club was as lively as ever, with loud music and dancing. Marissa moved gracefully among the patrons, exuding endless charm.
When Marissa spotted Hardy, her eyes lit up. After exchanging a few words with the man beside her, she ordered two cocktails at the bar and approached Hardy with a graceful stride.
She placed a drink in front of him. "Hardy, I haven’t seen you in days. Have you been busy?" she asked, her tone carrying a hint of resentment.
Since the day Hardy had rescued Marissa, their relationship had grown more intimate. But Hardy had become busy and hadn’t seen her since.
"I’ve been tied up lately," Hardy replied, taking a sip of his drink.
"Are you busy tonight?" Marissa asked, her voice dripping with seduction.
"Not tonight," Hardy replied.
Half an hour later, Marissa left the nightclub early, and Hardy was already waiting outside in his car. They drove to her house once again.
Inside, the room was warm and inviting. Marissa approached, half-covered by her lace suspender dress, holding a glass of wine.
...
Their intense exercise began shortly after and continued for a long time before they finally stopped.
Lying together afterward, they talked quietly in the dimly lit room.
"Marissa, you should avoid nightclubs for a while. Things are heating up between the Austrian gang and others. No one’s targeting you, but I don’t want you caught in the crossfire," Hardy said, gently stroking her hair.
"Is it really that serious?" Marissa asked, resting on Hardy’s chest and gazing up at him.
"It’s bad, and it’s going to get worse. You might get hurt if there’s a random shootout," Hardy warned.
Marissa thought for a moment. "Actually, I’ve saved enough money to take some time off. I’ll listen to you. Maybe I’ll use this time to take acting and singing lessons. After that, I’ll try to land a role in Hollywood," she said.
"Do you want to act in movies that badly?" Hardy asked.
"That’s my dream. Everyone has a dream, right?" she replied softly.
The sunlight streamed through the window, brightening the room.
Marissa slept in late, exhausted from the previous night. She stirred under the quilt as Hardy got up, preparing to head back downtown.
Everything was ready. The table was covered with weapons: pistols, Chicago typewriters, and even a heavy machine gun. Black hoods and backpacks were neatly arranged, along with grenades and explosives prepared by Neil.
Tonight was the night. In both his past life and this one, Hardy knew one truth:
Whatever you do, do it with precision.
Plan carefully, prepare thoroughly, and execute without hesitation.
...
As night fell.
"Sean, Ryder, you two handle the driving. The rest of you, get your gear," Hardy ordered.
The team moved quickly, grabbing pistols, Chicago typewriters, and headgear.
"Buzz~!"
Four cars left their base, driving a while before parking two of their own cars at a prearranged location. They then switched to the stolen cars and headed toward the Spanish Casino Club.
It was around seven in the evening, and the lights of the club illuminated the road and fountain in front, giving the place a grand, palatial appearance.
By eight o’clock, cars started arriving one after another—mostly high-end vehicles. Men in suits and women in glamorous evening dresses stepped out, showing off their perfect figures as they entered the club, talking and laughing.
Tonight was the blackjack tournament, drawing an even bigger crowd than usual.
Time ticked by as Hardy’s team waited quietly in their cars, parked two kilometers away from the club. No one spoke or smoked, respecting the tension of the moment before action.
For them, tonight was indeed a big battle.
"Boss, it’s 11 o’clock," Henry said, sitting next to Hardy.
"It’s time. Let’s move."
The two cars started and sped off toward the club.