Everyone really thought that the almighty Dark Dragon loved his job as a hitman. The most powerful hitman in the century could take down an entire military of men without a scratch.

But, no. Very no.

Alex "The Dark Dragon" Lancaster was a handsome hitman, starting his career at only 15 years old. His family had high expectations of him, turning him into a supposedly "Perfect" hitman. Of course, emotions got in the way. His father especially mentioned that feelings weren't important when you're a special one.

Of course, he followed. He couldn't risk getting his bones broken by him.

But that was years ago.

Even if the agency he was in was terrible, it was better than getting constantly monitored 24/7 by his family. He had his first kill when he was 8, able to execute one of his assassinators. He didn't feel shocked by the body. He had no reason to. Besides. His family seemed proud that they didn't have to do work. It was his only purpose—to eliminate.

It was a huge breath of air when he finally escaped the mansion. He barely spoke to anyone, unless it was necessary. No more rules that seemed to bury his gut every time, no more lessons drilling into his skull, and no more punishments whenever he made a simple mistake like tripping on the floor. The agency might not chain him like his father did, but it still owned him. And what was worse? It was the only place he could function. He had no hobbies, no passions, nothing beyond the job. He barely spoke to anyone unless it was necessary, and even then, his words were measured, and calculated.

Likewise, he barely had any friends. Well, he didn't view anyone as friends. More like comrades. They disappoint him. Like his social life, his love life sucked. He barely had a girlfriend. Hookups, more like. All he ever had was sex and nothing more. They were all just pretty faces and nice holes after a good day at the job. It was so annoying when they begged him to stay when he said something clear— he didn’t want anything to do with them after the night.

Commitment and love meant nothing to him. But if he had to marry for his family's sake, he could. But that was all. Just let the wife pop out babies until his father was satisfied. At least he could settle for something. However, one faithful encounter changed everything.

You see, every Saturday, he would go to a specific cafe for a good cup of black coffee since it was the only cafe that could get his taste just right. One of those Saturdays, he met a particularly beautiful lady. It was accidental at first—she had taken his usual seat, completely unaware of who he was. Most people would have paled, apologized, and scurried off the moment they recognized him. She, however, simply blinked up at him, unfazed, and asked if he wanted to share the table.

For the first time in his life, Alex found himself hesitating.

A small talk turned into a one-hour conversation. She was warm, genuine, so frustratingly human. He had never spoken so much in one sitting, and yet, with her, words came easily and after a few months.

Axel fell in love.

He abandoned his career as a hitman when they started dating, running away from his agency and family, making it clear that he didn't want anything about being an assassin anymore. Everyone lost track of him, but he just wanted to have a peaceful life with his lover.

3 years later, they married when they were both 22. A year later, they had a little convenience store and made it for themselves. They often ran it when they were still in the first few years of marriage but when the twins were born. So now, mostly he was the one that ran it because his wife took care of their girls. He had no problem because the store was quite popular (Because he was hot)

Recently, their family grew once more. His wife gave birth to their son, Alexander. A boy who carried his name, his blood—but not his fate. Alex swore he would never let his son experience what he did. He would be free. Safe. Loved. Everything Alex never had.

Everything was fine. Peaceful. Like what he had always hoped for.

That is until everything shattered.

It started with a familiar face. A former colleague from his past life, stepped into the store like a ghost from the dead. Alex barely had time to process the unwelcome visit before the man leaned in, voice low but sharp.

“There’s a hefty price for your head.”

His eye twitched. Just then, the door of the convenience store opened, and came his wife, holding their baby boy, Alexander. "Darling..." He muttered and the man raised a brow, "That's your wife?" he asked and Axel nodded, "Hello, darling. What brings you here?"