Chapter 5 - The Infiltration
The grand ballroom of the estate was a fortress. Armed security guards in tailored suits stood at every entrance, earpieces glowing in the dim light. Outside in the cold night, Leo stood by the service entrance. He was dressed in his signature rugged brown canvas jacket, mud on his boots, carrying his faded duffel bag. He stuck out like a sore thumb in this world of high fashion and old money. A guard approached him, shining a flashlight into his face. "Hey! Deliveries are round back. You can't be here." Leo didn't blink. He didn't speak. In one fluid motion, he stepped inside the guard's reach, twisted the man's arm, and delivered a swift strike to his neck.
The guard slumped silently into Leo's arms. Leo dragged him into the shadows, taking the man's security keycard. He swiped it at the heavy steel door. A green light flashed. He was in. As he navigated the labyrinth of the service hallways, his heart hammered against his ribs. The music from the ballroom echoed through the walls, a classical waltz that sounded like a funeral march to his ears. He checked his pockets. He didn't bring a gun. He didn't bring a weapon. He only brought his fists, his unyielding love, and a single, fresh daisy he had picked from a florist on the edge of town. He was coming for her. And God have mercy on anyone who stood in his way.
