Chapter 112: Chapter 112
Leandro knew that military time is beyond the word punctual. He quickly assigned his men to do things accordingly and prepared to leave his mansion. They have heard of the chopper's arrival even from a distance that Leandro came out of the house as soon as he was ready. The IT team was to connect with Jack Foster to join forces and deal with anything concerning information they would need. He also called for the rest of his private army to stand a post on designated areas. His son, Levi's, home and his mansion. His casino is well guarded all the time, so he did not bother sending additional backup. He sent as many men as he could, along with Lucien.
The chopper landed in the empty land of Leandro's yard. A soldier walked over to assist the old Michaelson to board the air vehicle and left. Leandro did not even bother bringing a bodyguard with him. He was more than confident he would be in safe hands with Lockwood and his men. Andy is a retired general, and the idea of having a private army was suggested by him to Leandro, knowing he is into business and connected to the underworld somehow. Andy was aware that Leandro is not into the dark side of the Mafia world, but because he is known as among the God of Gamblers, he is targeted almost all of the time. He also suggested sending his chosen men to the military for proper training, and they would be helpful for his protection one day. Tatum Elliott was one of them and the rest of his private army team leaders.
Their connections were with pure gratitude and friendship that no one from each side felt being used or abused or taken advantage of in any way. The more one does something for the other. The recipient would do its best to return the kindness in one way to another. And so, the gratitude never seemed to end. It made their bonding even more solid and unbreakable.
Leandro never made Andy feel he owed him anything, while Andy felt grateful for every day of his life, especially when something great or anything worth celebrating would come to his life. And because of Andy's character, Leandro treasured his friendship with him and supported his advocacy with finances. He even provides the general with the latest military gear and weapons, in a way. Leandro also had a good connection with someone engaged in weapon research. He supports them financially, and in return, he gets access to their successful products and order for himself within the declared limit he would be allowed.
Leandro has nowhere to spend his earnings as his son, Levi, does not want to get anything from him, knowing they were all from the gambling business. Besides, Levi and his wife are earning well on their own as Medical practitioners. Leandro had to find ways to spend his money on more reasonable, practical, and deserving matters. He sponsored scholars to help the needy kids get educated, and he even gave some of them a spot to work in his casino. But he had one visitor one day, knowing he was a philanthropist, the man presented his plans and research goals. Leandro suggested the man to go to the government and ask for financial support, but the guy replied that he used to work for the government already. He doesn't agree with some corrupt government officials that want to sell the weapons to the black market.
The weapon they make are high caliber, and it would be chaotic for the army to fight with their enemies if the lawbreakers would get a hand on these kinds of weapons, so he decided to quit and brought all designs with him. He was being hunted, and he ran to Leandro for help as well as protection. Leandro introduced this weapon scientist, Matthew Reese, to Andy Lockwood and the two were so thrilled to know each other, but they had one problem. Finances. Leandro suggested they try the project little by little and see how it would go. Andy will be the one to introduce the product to the Defense Secretary to ask for financial assistance if not to sell the finished products to. During that time, Andy Lockwood was already a Colonel, and he had his connections to higher-ranking officials in the military world. It took a while for him to push the project to the higher authorities, but Leandro had started with the research with Matthew as they waited. Andy was the one to check the effectiveness of the products, and as he knew what would be good and nice for soldiers like, he gave Matthew his opinions and suggestions for improvements if needed.
These are the reasons Leandro is not someone so easy to be targeted. He is like a strong wall with firm and unbreakable foundations. He may look weak and fragile as he has aged over the years, but his days of youth had been lived wisely that he has made friends with people of different talents. His son is not proud of him, and Leandro could no longer do anything about it, he regrets it, but he did not make it a reason to hate life. He just made sure his son would not hate home more than he already did. And so, Leandro invested his wealth in good things and good deeds. He hopes one day his son will accept him for what he is and forgive him for his shortcomings in life. He is more than happy his grandson understands him. That is more than enough to be grateful in life. Leandro knew that if Levi hated him so much, Levi would never let Lucien and Leandro get in touch or even get to know each other. But with his daughter-in-law around, Leandro knew Levi had somehow melted his heart over time.
What else could he ask for? Greed is never a good thing. He should be grateful for what he has, or he might lose even the small blessings if he misses to appreciate and enjoy them.
The chopper arrived at the retired General Lockwood's camp. He now has his own Private Army Academy. It is a Private Military School. Next to the weapon research lab. The two, Andy and Matthew, were standing on the side as they waited for the chopper to land and walked to Leandro as soon as he got off the air vehicle.
"Don Leon!" Matthew Reese greeted gleefully. They do not meet too often, but the scientist's enthusiasm has never faded over the years whenever he gets to meet the old Michaelson.
"What are you doing here?" Leandro asked. "Am I not bothering you as well?"
"Of course not! You will never be a bother to me, Don Leon. I have heard about Lucien and his girl being targeted by some assholes. I came to assure you they will be just fine with our latest technology," Matthew eagerly explained.
"Thank you. I can always count on you," Leandro smiled victoriously.
"Please have a seat inside. We have deployed our men, and they might have arrived at the location as we speak," Andy joined in. They all walked down the few steps of stairs from the helipad on the rooftop to get into the building.