Codename Black: Rise of the Fallen Commander

King & Queen

As the days passed, Alexander’s covert investigation began to unravel the dark web of corruption surrounding Dorian Blackwood and Lord Edward Hale. With Ludwig Oswald feeding him key intelligence, Alexander started connecting the dots that explained the sinister motives behind Victoria’s forced engagement.

One evening, Alexander sat at the small table in their hotel room, a map of Victoria’s family business holdings spread out before him. Several red pins marked locations linked to Dorian Blackwood, most tied to illicit operations. Victoria stood beside him, watching as he pieced together the twisted narrative.

“I don’t understand,” she said quietly, her brow furrowed as she tried to follow the trail of information. “Why would they go through all this trouble? What’s the point of forcing me into this marriage? And why is my family involved?”

Alexander tapped one of the red pins on the map. “This isn’t just about you, Victoria. Dorian’s connections to organized crime run deep—deeper than I initially thought. He’s involved in human trafficking, weapons smuggling, and high-level political bribery. And your family, specifically Lord Edward, is his pawn.”

Victoria’s eyes widened. “What...?”

Alexander looked up at her. “The Hales and the Blackwoods are both influential families, but they each have something the other doesn’t. The Blackwoods have the muscle and connections in the underworld, while your family holds legitimate political sway. Merging your family with Dorian’s would give him access to resources he could never acquire on his own. He’d have influence in the public sphere and control over organized crime. That kind of power is dangerous, Victoria, believe me.”

Her face paled as the weight of his words sank in. “So this whole marriage... it’s just a game?”

Alexander nodded. “Exactly. Dorian was using you as a bargaining chip. You were the key to unlocking political dominance. That’s why he was so insistent on the marriage. He needs your family’s name and reputation to legitimize his illegal operations.”

Victoria sank into a chair, her hands trembling as she processed the revelation. “How could they do this? My own family... my father... all for what? Money? Power?”

Alexander reached out, placing a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “It’s bigger than just money, Victoria. They want control. Power. Complete dominance. Once your family merges with Dorian’s, they would have the means to influence government policies, manipulate markets, and wipe out any competition.”

Victoria buried her face in her hands. “I never knew... I never realized it was this bad.”

For a long moment, the room was silent except for the soft sound of Victoria’s breathing. Then, out of nowhere, Alexander let out a low chuckle.

Victoria glanced up at him, her eyes still wide with disbelief. “What’s so funny?”

Alexander grinned, his eyes gleaming. “It’s just... they think they’re so clever. They think they’ve got everything under control. But they’ve underestimated us, Victoria.”

She looked at him, her confusion deepening. “What do you mean?”

“They’re playing a game they don’t even realize they’ve already lost,” Alexander said, leaning back in his chair. “Now that we know the truth, we can turn this whole situation to our advantage. I’ve dealt with men like Dorian and Edward before. They’re all the same: greedy, power-hungry, and blinded by their own arrogance.”

Victoria frowned. “But what can we do? How can we stop them?”

Alexander’s grin widened. “Oh, I have a plan. Trust me, once we put it into action, they’ll regret ever trying to use you.”

Victoria watched him, a spark of hope flickering in her eyes. For the first time since this whole nightmare began, she felt like she had a chance—a real chance to fight back.

“So, what’s the plan?” she asked, her voice steadying as she prepared herself for whatever came next.

Alexander leaned forward, his eyes locked onto hers. “We’re going to expose them: Dorian’s ties to organized crime, Edward’s betrayal of your family—all of it. And when the dust settles, you’ll be free—free from Dorian, free from the Blackwoods, and free to live your life the way you want.”

Victoria nodded, her features hardening. She had been manipulated, lied to, and treated as nothing more than a pawn in someone else’s game. But now, with Alexander by her side, she was ready to fight back as the queen by the king's side.

“Let’s do it...”

Alexander’s grin softened into a warm smile. “That’s my girl.”

Later that night, Alexander lay restless in the hotel bed, his mind clouded with troubling thoughts about the days to come. Sleep, when it came, brought no peace.

In the dream, chaos surrounded him. Dorian Blackwood’s countless men had tracked them down. Alexander fought fiercely, taking down enemy after enemy, but it wasn’t enough. No matter how hard he fought, they kept coming.

Amidst the battle, he saw Victoria. She stood in the distance, desperately calling for him, but he couldn’t reach her. Dorian appeared behind her, a malicious grin on his face as he aimed a gun at her back.

“Victoria!” Alexander screamed, running toward her. But it was too late.

He could do nothing as the shot rang out, echoing through his mind. Victoria collapsed into his arms, her lifeless body covered in blood.

“No... no, no, no!” His heart broke as he held her, powerless to save her.

He jolted awake, drenched in cold sweat. His breathing quickened as the nightmare lingered. For a moment, Alexander sat in silence, the image of Victoria’s death haunting his thoughts.

His heart tightened as the fear he had suppressed was now fully exposed. It wasn’t just about taking down Dorian and Edward anymore. He could lose Victoria if he wasn’t careful. And that was a fate he couldn’t allow.

As he calmed himself, Alexander realized something important: he couldn’t succeed alone. His enemies were too many, too powerful, and too connected. If he wanted to win—if he wanted to protect Victoria and dismantle the schemes against them—he would need more than just his military training and resources.

He needed allies. And not just any allies. He needed the most ruthless and dangerous people in his arsenal.

His mind wandered to the network of contacts he had built during his military career. Not all of them were honorable, but they had their uses. Some had been mercenaries, while others were criminals with skills honed in the shadows. Men and women who operated outside the law, but who owed Alexander favors.

Then there were his former subordinates, men like Marcus Devereux, who had remained loyal to him even after his supposed death. Marcus alone had access to an elite network of military assets, intelligence officers, and operatives. But Alexander knew they wouldn’t be enough to win this war. Besides, he was still keeping his identity hidden.

He needed more firepower, more cunning, and more ruthlessness. There were others from his past, those figures he had once sworn to avoid. He had walked away from that world when he became a top commander, but now he would have to dive back in. The situation demanded it.

He clenched his fists. If he wanted to protect Victoria and take down Dorian, he had to fight steel with steel. He would need to reach out to those notorious figures, the ones who operated without conscience but had always respected him.

Alexander rose quietly from the bed, careful not to wake Victoria. She lay peacefully beside him, completely unaware of the nightmare he had experienced throughout the night.

Looking at her, he made a vow. He would not let the nightmare become reality. He would not allow her to be taken from him. Whatever it took, whoever he had to turn to, he would protect her and bring their enemies to justice.

But first, he needed to make some calls.