Chapter 3: Gaby Lane

Words : 3245 Updated : Jun 12th, 2025

As soon as Adam stepped out of the airport, he noticed several police cars and ambulances parked outside. He pursed his lips, paid them no mind, and walked right past. Suddenly, several men in black jackets swarmed around him. One of them said flatly, "Our major wants to see you." "Major?" Adam froze for a second, taken aback. It seemed someone from the Chiton Military was looking for him. Adam was then led to a green military Humvee. Usually, he would never go along with this, but that familiar sense of danger told him he had to. When someone's got a gun to your back, what choice do you really have? "Hand over any weapons," the man in the black jacket said, pressing his gun against Adam. Adam put on an innocent face. "All I've got is this backpack; no weapons." "Black Dragon always carries the Dragon Dagger. I'd suggest you hand it over," the man said, exposing Adam's real identity. Adam's expression flickered, but he quickly regained his composure. "If you know Black Dragon always carries the Dragon Dagger, don't expect him just to hand it over." "You guys, search him," the man told his men, clearly not wanting to waste any more time with Adam. Right then, a pleasant female voice came from inside the Humvee, "No need to search him. Let him in. If Black Dragon wanted to kill us, none of us would get out alive." "Yes, ma'am." The man withdrew the gun from Adam's side, upset at the thought that even their elite forces weren't his match. He gestured for Adam to enter the vehicle. Adam tossed his beat-up backpack on the ground, shot a scornful look at the guy behind him, and smirked. "Keep an eye on my bag for me," he said, the grin clearly saying. "Thought you were tough? Guess you're just my bag boy now." With the men in black glaring daggers at him, Adam opened the car door and got in. To his surprise, the major wasn't some old guy or middle-aged man: it was a young woman. "Uh, so, I heard you wanted to see me?" Adam stammered, feeling awkward as the young woman stared at him in silence. If this woman tried to pull something, his 25 years of virginity might be over in a flash. Better to find out why she wanted him. "Black Dragon, real name Adam Lyson. Left the country at seventeen, joined the Ironwolf Mercenaries. Got betrayed by a friend in a battle, barely escaped, then started the Drakeforce Mercenaries. A year later, took down the world's top-ranked Ironwolf Mercenaries. Since then, you've been on a killing spree that's made world leaders break out in a cold sweat. Anyone who crossed paths with Drakeforce Mercenaries didn't live to tell the tale. In just five years, your crew went from nobodies to one of the most dangerous mercenary outfits out there, with you as their cold-blooded boss. I never expected you to show up in Jorwick, let alone be sitting here with me," the young woman recited from her notes, her large eyes fixed unblinkingly on Adam. "So what are you getting at?" Adam's mouth twitched. She just listed off all his "crimes," making him sound like a monster, when really, he was just a good-looking, single 25-year-old still waiting for his Snow White. "Let me introduce myself. I'm Gaby Lane, Major with the Wrathscale Special Forces." She stuck out her hand to shake. Adam looked all pitiful and muttered, "Don't you know men and women shouldn't touch?" "Cut it out. I'm ninety percent sure you're Black Dragon," Gaby said, seeing through Adam's act. It was not like she was going to eat him or something. "Yeah, I'm Black Dragon. I just came back home to try and live a normal life, that's all," Adam said seriously. "You think someone with blood on their hands can just live like a regular person?" Gaby rolled her eyes. If it weren't for the confirmed intel and the video just uploaded from the hijacked plane, it'd be hard to believe that this utterly ordinary man was the all-powerful Black Dragon. "Got a cigarette?" Adam asked. "Yeah." Gaby tossed him a pack. Adam lit up, took a long drag, and closed his eyes, letting the tobacco's light flavor wash over him. He gave a bitter smile. "I'm just tired. I don't want that kill-or-be-killed life anymore. I just want to find someone I love, and someone who loves me, and live a simple, happy life." Gaby was taken aback. Just what had this man been through? The records said he was only twenty-five, yet he gave off the air of a weary old soul who had seen through the world's illusions. "But Chiton can't just let someone like you in," Gaby said, her tone serious. "Are you ordering me? I'm Chitonian. No matter what I did abroad, I never betrayed my country," Adam said quietly, the cigarette in his hand trembling slightly. "Like what you did on the plane?" Gaby challenged. Adam wasn't surprised she knew about the plane. In this age of information, the plane had cameras, and those amateur hijackers hadn't disabled them. Everything he did was likely known to national security, so it wasn't shocking she was aware. "That was a situation I stumbled into. I was afraid, so I acted," Adam explained. "But you killed members of the Golden Vex Mercenaries. These terrorists might target Chiton," Gaby accused. Adam smirked, his eyes disdainful. "If you can't take down Golden Vex, I will. Don't try to be all official with me. Are Chiton's elite forces only good for compromising with lunatics?" Gaby was at a loss for words. Though she had intended to blame him, he had saved the plane's passengers. Continuing this line of conversation would put her in the wrong. "I won't pursue the Golden Vex issue. Did you return alone?" Gaby probed. "Just me. Without my command, no one from Drakeforce Mercenaries dares set foot in Chiton," Adam replied, as if discussing family matters with Gaby. "Black Dragon indeed," Gaby remarked, curious about what made this young man capable of commanding such loyalty. Each member of Drakeforce Mercenaries was an expert in their field, yet they followed him. What was his secret? Except for his eyes, which kept drifting to her legs and chest, she couldn't see what made him strong. "I tricked them. They're fools, easily convinced," Adam said, exhaling a smoke ring. "Stop asking about Drakeforce. I won't tell you. If there's nothing else, I'll leave." Gaby frowned at Adam's bluntness. No one had spoken to her like that before. "If you want to live a normal life in Chiton, we have a job for you. Complete it successfully, and you can stay." "A job?" Adam coughed, surprised she had found him employment. Was she afraid he'd stir up trouble with nothing to do? "Your skills are known to Wrathscale. We have a job that suits you. Agree, and you can live a normal life here," Gaby said, flipping through her files. "What job?" Adam asked. "Butler." "You want me to be a butler?" Adam exclaimed, struggling to control his emotions. The thought of the world-renowned Black Dragon becoming a butler was laughable. He imagined his team's reactions if they were to find out. Picturing himself in the classic butler attire —crisp white shirt, black vest, bow tie, tails, tailored pants, and shiny shoes —felt awkward. "Aren't butlers usually women?" "This butler position is for you alone," Gaby said, rolling her eyes. Curious, Adam asked, "Can you elaborate?" "You just returned, so I'll give you a brief overview. The Cassons are Jorwick's wealthiest, a prestigious lineage. Since the head, Royce Casson, was assassinated a decade ago, his wife, Loretta Lyson, has led the family. The family includes the eldest daughter, Ariel Casson, and the second daughter, Alice Casson. The Cassons face internal and external threats, business setbacks, and anonymous threats. You're to protect them. We don't want you idle, causing trouble." "Figures," Adam thought darkly. They wanted him to be a bodyguard under the guise of a butler. Seeing his reluctance, Gaby smirked. "If you refuse, Wrathscale will issue a deportation order. Chiton won't welcome you. We'll monitor you 24/7, and even if you don't cause trouble, we'll control you. But become the Casson butler, and you'll have freedom, a normal life, anything you want." Adam stared blankly at the gorgeous woman in front of him. People always say the prettier a woman is, the more dangerous. Now he was starting to believe it. He wished he could say, "I want you. Will you give yourself to me?" But, shy and modest, he swallowed the words. Seeing his contemplation, Gaby chuckled. "Have you decided? This afternoon is the Casson's butler selection. Delay, and you'll miss it." With that, she glanced at her watch for emphasis. "Damn," Adam muttered, "Fine, you win. Take me to the Cassons now." "I knew you'd agree." Gaby laughed, pressing the accelerator as the military vehicle roared onto the open road.

Chapter 3: Gaby Lane

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