Free Web NovelChapter 316: Lend Me Your Strength
[Black Dragon Corporation]
Ashley’s eyes sharpened as the secondary security gates slammed shut across every window and door. Her gaze swept over the crowd gathered in the lobby.
Men and women from across Dominion — those who had relocated with them and were currently stationed in the city — stood before her. All of them were here because of Gustav’s orders to support her the moment he chose her side, and because of the distress signal he’d sent out when Jony ambushed him.
"Madam."
Vodka stepped to her side and took his place just behind her. He and Tank stood tall, expressions hard, eyes burning.
Ashley raised her chin.
"First, I want to thank each of you for staying true to Lucian," she said, her sharp features composed. "I will remember every one of you and remember how you stood beside him even when he’s not here."
The men didn’t react. They simply mirrored her stillness, eyes set with the same determination and readiness for war.
To them, Gustav’s distress call had meant one thing.
The High Chamber had made its move.
And unlike the others who had jumped ship the moment the rumors about Lucian began to spread, these men wouldn’t abandon their master just because he was lying in a hospital bed.
"As you know, the High Chamber has finally acted — and they’re being aggressive," Ashley continued, her voice steady, her composure unshaken. "My husband is still alive. But the way they’re moving sends a clear message."
Her voice strengthened. "They want war."
The silence in the lobby deepened.
"They disregard the Black Dragon’s life. They dismiss everything Gustav and Lukas have built for Dominion. They simply want to take what isn’t theirs."
A glint moved through her eyes as she steadied her breathing, sweeping her gaze across their faces.
These men had followed Lucian for a reason. They would fight and die for him.
"As his wife, I know it isn’t easy to place your trust in me. But I will guarantee you this." Her voice rose, filling the lobby.
"None of the Black Dragon’s people — and none of the people under the Madam of Dominion — will lose their lives."
Her eyes narrowed. "So lend me your skills, your loyalty to my husband, and your strength."
Silence settled again while Tank and Vodka glanced at her.
These men were already following Gustav’s orders — but none of them had expected her to address them directly. Scanning the crowd, Tank and Vodka caught a few confused looks, then surprise spreading across faces one by one.
No one had expected this from Ashley.
Yet every eye stayed fixed on her, reading the sincerity and fierceness in her gaze. The same fire that was quietly beginning to catch in their own chests. frёeweɓηovel.coɱ
Then Ashley’s voice softened.
"I can’t do this alone."
The shift in her tone drew the room in closer.
"Help me protect my husband and my son," she said quietly, the gentleness of her words at odds with the sharpness of her expression. "Help me protect the Dominion Lucian built."
Her words hung in the silence.
And somehow, those simple words were enough.
Even if it meant war, they were ready. For Lucian, who had built something safer for all of them. For the man who had protected not just them, but their families. It was time to repay what they owed. Time to protect him.
Even if that meant standing behind a woman they didn’t yet fully trust.
"You have our full support, Madam!" one of the men called out.
"Anything you need!"
"Just say the word!"
Vodka and Tank exchanged a look, satisfied smiles breaking through their stern expressions. Their eyes gleamed.
If the situation had been any different, they would have nudged her shoulder and given her a thumbs-up on the spot. Her words had moved them — and if they had moved them, they had certainly moved these men.
With that settled, Ashley laid out the next steps and what needed to happen immediately.
The High Chamber had already taken Gustav, Lukas, and everyone from the neighborhood — Red and Betty included. That left one clear objective.
Get them back.
All of them.
And that was exactly what Ashley intended to do.
Preparations for transport were set into motion at once.
It had been over an hour since she’d left the neighborhood. By now, everyone who had been taken was likely already en route to the mainland.
Ashley moved quickly toward the rooftop, where a helicopter was waiting. On the way, she pulled out her phone to check on Primo.
"Shit," she muttered at the red battery icon.
Before it died entirely, she caught a string of missed calls and messages from Raka.
[Hey, do you and your husband enjoy this? How can you both be so impossible to reach? You don’t answer your phone even after begging me for a favor!]
[Just tell me if you don’t need my help anymore!]
[Call me!]
Classic Raka. Carrying on like a jilted lover.
If only he knew what was actually happening right now.
Ashley was about to call him back when the screen went dark.
"Madam, we have to move!" Vodka came jogging toward her.
Ashley clicked her tongue, nodded, and slipped the dead phone into her pocket.
*****
Meanwhile...
Raka stared at his phone, a deep frown on his face. Ashley had left his messages on read.
"These two," he hissed, kicking at the air. "I feel bad for them, I really do — but they drive me absolutely insane. Doesn’t she want to help her husband get better?!"
He tossed the phone aside, determined to stop looking at it. Then he peeked at it again a moment later.
Nothing.
"Fine. Whatever." He trailed off as the doorbell rang. "Huh?"
He turned toward the front door, brows drawing together. It was late. He wasn’t expecting anyone. frёeωebɳovel.com
He checked the door monitor, but no one was there.
"Weird," he shuffled over to double-check in person.
But when he opened the door, no one was standing there. Instead, a large brown envelope lay on the floor.
