THE BILLIONAIRE CAPTAIN'S SPY

TRESSIAN CITY: KAEL DRAN ‘S POV

I stood in front of the sleek VVIP hotel, the glass reflecting the twilight sky, the soft hum of city life buzzing in the distance. My driver had dropped me off at the entrance like a loyal soldier, because tomorrow was the Dominion dinner, the one event of the year where the world’s most powerful people would gather under one roof. The who’ who of military leaders, business tycoons, and politicians all sharing space, exchanging pleasantries, and holding their influence as if it were a well-polished weapon.

I f*ck*ng hated it.

It was the one night where I had to put on my best mask the charming billionaire, the ruthless military captain, the untouchable Master of Steel and Sky. And that meant tomorrow tonight, I needed everything to be perfect.

I stepped into the lobby, all cool composure as I made my way to the front desk, the polished floors gleaming under my boots. The hotel staff recognized me immediately of course, they did. They always did. I gave them a polite nod, my presence commanding but not demanding.

"Good evening, Captain Dren," the concierge greeted me, her smile both professional and a little starstruck. She handed me the keycard to my suite, offering a polite bow. "We’ve prepared everything as requested."

“Excellent.” I took the key, slipping it into my pocket as I turned toward the elevator. Once I reached my suite, the door clicked open with a soft mechanical hum, revealing a space that was more like a penthouse than a hotel room. I walked in, eyes scanning the luxurious furnishings and floor-to-ceiling windows that gave a stunning view of the city. The room smelled faintly of wood and cedar, as if even the air was crafted to perfection.

I tossed my leather jacket on the couch and moved to the desk, pulling out my phone. The first number on my call list was Lt. Col. Elise Durant my former commanding officer, and someone who still knew me better than anyone else. I pressed the button, waiting for the line to connect.

"Well, well," her voice cracked through the phone with a familiar, playful tone. "I was beginning to think you’d forgotten how to make a phone call, Captain Dren. Have you arrived in the godforsaken Tressian city?”

I leaned back in the chair, smiling as I heard the slight chuckle in her voice. Elise Durant, tough as nails and with a laugh that could break any tension. Even now, years after we had served together in the field, she could still get under my skin in the best way. We had a history, the kind of bond forged in the hell of battle.

“D*mn yes. I am too busy being a billionaire these days,” I teased, settling in. “Maybe you’re the one who’s forgotten how to keep in touch.”

“Oh, please,” she scoffed, the sound of her shuffling papers making its way through the phone. “I am still out here keeping the world’s worst soldiers in line. You know—being useful and staying away from the city “

“Ha. That is what I remember about you. That and the ability to throw a punch with the best of them.” I laughed aloud.

She responded with a laugh, the sound rich and warm. “Some things never change. How is the glamorous billionaire life treating you?”

“Not as fun as you would think. But then again, I was not made for luxury. You know that.” I groaned.

“I do know that, actually,” Elise replied, her voice softening just a bit. “You have always been the one to keep it real. Even when we were out in the middle of nowhere, taking on missions nobody else would even consider.”

I could not help but let out a breath, leaning forward. “You were always the better strategist, Durant. You are the one who kept me from getting myself killed more times than I care to admit.”

“Well, somebody had to,” she quipped. “You know, just because you have moved into shiny suits and billion-dollar boardrooms does not mean I am going to stop calling you out. I can still make you sweat, even through a phone line.”

“I’m shaking in my boots,” I muttered dryly, smiling despite myself. “But hey, the reason I am calling is not for a trip down memory lane. Got the Dominion dinner tomorrow night, and you know how these things go. I could use your advice.”

“Advice, huh? Now that is something I did not expect. I thought you were the one who always had the answers.”

“Well, I did learn a thing or two from you,” I said, leaning back again, savouring the lightness in my chest. Talking to her felt like a breath of fresh air in a world that constantly tried to suffocate me with its rules and expectations. “But I am out of my element in a room full of diplomats and billionaires. You have been to these things. Got any secrets to share?”

Elise paused, her voice dropping slightly in tone as she considered. “Just be yourself, Kael. And I am not talking about the version of you that everyone fears. Let your guard down, even just a little. People respect you, sure, but they are more likely to trust you if they see a man, not a wall of steel.”

I stared out the window, watching the city lights flicker in the distance. Her words hung in the air, a little too real for comfort.

“Thanks, Durant,” I said quietly. “You’ve always had a way with words.”

“Don’t go getting all sentimental on me now, Dren,” she teased. “You have an empire to run. Just do not forget who you are underneath all that steel.”

I smiled at the familiarity in her tone, the way she could still ground me even from miles away. “I will not. And hey, when this is all over, I will fly down to North Arclen, maybe we can grab a drink. I will let you keep me in line.”

“I will hold you to that. Just do not make me wait too long.” I could tell that she had a smirk on her face.

“I never do,” I replied, a soft laugh slipping out of me.

She did not answer immediately, and for a moment, I thought she was about to hang up. But then, she spoke again, her voice a touch softer, like she was not used to being this honest. “You are not alone in all this, Kael. Remember that. You have people who have your back. And if you run into any trouble, call me and I will help you deal with it.”

“Thanks, Durant. I will not.” And with that, we ended the call, the familiar hum of the line filling the silence.

The door to my suite clicked shut behind me, and I exhaled slowly, as if shaking off the weight of the world that always seemed to follow me. I had not had a moment of peace in days, too many briefings, too many tactical meetings, too much pressure. I was supposed to be relaxing tonight before the Dominion dinner tomorrow. Supposed to be putting aside the chains of responsibility, letting go of the role I had been born to play. The suite was luxurious, the kind of place where a man like me was expected to stay. Cold, sterile, perfect. A place to do business, not unwind.

I shrugged off my coat, hanging it on the nearest chair, and walked over to the balcony, needing air. The weight of the evening had not even begun to settle on my shoulders. Dinner, speeches, the usual meaningless banter from men who would be too busy thinking of ways to control each other to truly see anything that mattered.

But that was tomorrow. Tonight? Tonight, I wanted silence. I slid open the glass