It took way too long for Ajax to deal with Noir. Thankfully, Noir knew him well enough to know when Ajax wouldn’t back down. Hell would freeze before he let this nonsense get Lucas killed. Ajax didn’t ask for much for himself, but Lucas was his whole heart. Serveno would have to put him to death for desertion. He used to think there wasn’t a single damn thing he would choose over his prince. Now he knew for a fact Lucas came first, even if it cost Ajax everything, including his life.
When Ajax left the sitting room, Hektor still stood at his post, except there was no bag. Ajax was confused as hell. He had settled with Noir, saying he would deliver the goods to Portland. He blinked at Hektor’s empty hands.
“I gave you a package to hold.”
Hektor looked bored, except for his eyes. His eyes were cold. “Yeah. After hearing you’re only faking love to keep him here, Lucas took the bag and left.”
The absolute horror that struck Ajax nearly buckled his knees. Somehow, his mouth continued working while his heart raced and his mind reeled. “You just gave it to him.” He didn’t even know what he said.
Hektor shrugged. “He was ordered to deliver it to Portland. Why would I not give it to him?”
Ajax knew Hektor heard everything that went on in Noir’s life. He was equally aware Hektor had heard every word of Ajax’s argument with Noir. Hektor also knew damn well Ajax wasn’t faking a single fucking thing. At least, he thought Hektor knew that. If Hektor questioned his feelings, he couldn’t imagine Lucas' thoughts.
Ajax walked away. He had to talk to Lucas. Ajax had to explain. Yes, Noir had ordered him to do whatever it took to keep Lucas here, but Ajax hadn’t needed that command. In fact, Noir’s demand had played straight into Ajax’s hands. Ajax had known he wanted to keep Lucas before that very first kiss. Noir’s plan did nothing but stop Ajax from having to ask permission to make Lucas’ presence permanent. Goddamn it. Lucas was out there somewhere thinking nothing about them was real. Fuck everything. Lucas wasn’t known for being reasonable. He could disappear. He might do anything—like never look back. Ajax had to talk to him before he did anything they would both regret. He rubbed his chest. It felt a hell of a lot like his heart was breaking. If the shoe was on the other foot, Ajax would never touch Lucas again. He was so totally fucked. Lucas and he were completely alike.
Ajax pulled his phone from the inside pocket of his dress jacket. He checked his messages, hoping against hope Lucas had said anything at all. There was nothing. Ajax called Lucas as he headed for their room, praying Lucas had left a note, even though he knew in his heart Lucas would never do that. He listened to the phone ring while searching every inch of theirbedroom for a note. Their room. It had taken three months of Lucas sharing Ajax’s bed for everything to become theirs. Ajax couldn’t see things any other way. He called four times with no answer. He decided to text, hoping Lucas would at least read what he had to say. Halfway through pouring his heart out, Ajax deleted the paragraph. Lucas deserved to look Ajax in the eyes and see the truth. A text wasn’t good enough. He opened the app to track Lucas’ phone. When Ajax saw the address, he sat. Thankfully, the couch had been there to save him from hitting the floor. Ajax knew that address. Lucas was done.
Chapter Ten
ThespotwhereLucashad been attacked was a strange but oddly perfect meeting place. After all, Lucas had chosen this spot to collect for a reason. There were zero cameras anywhere for blocks. Nobody saw anything in this area. There wouldn’t be a single witness to Lucas’ disappearance. No one would ever know who helped him. He doubted they would even suspect. A movement caught Lucas’ attention. Kash’s sexy, hard body caught Lucas’ eye first before he found Kash’s dark blue gaze.
Lucas didn’t know where to start. “Thank you for meeting with me.”
A cocky smile stretched Kash’s lips. Wind ruffled his dark blond hair. “Of course. I’m the one who’s told you countless times to call me when this day came. You started working with Noir too young to have gone into things having an out. I don’twork for anyone without a disappearing act in my pocket.” He wasn’t being condescending. Kash was being realistic. Lucas understood that. He didn’t have time to pussyfoot around the issue. It wouldn’t take Ajax long to realize Lucas was gone. Any man evil enough to pretend to love him for his prince wouldn’t hesitate to do whatever it took to get him back underneath Noir’s thumb.
Kash didn’t seem to need any explanations. He got straight to the point. “My cousin owns a security company out in California. He has locations all over the country and he’s always looking for help.”
“I could do security work.”
Kash shrugged. “I know you can. You’d never encounter half the shit you do in this profession. Keeping someone safe would be a gravy job for you. I’ve already talked to him and explained the situation. Since he’s always planned for me to disappear into his business, I didn’t have to say much. But I let him know you could only stick to people who aren’t in the public eye or have any chance of crossing Noir’s path.” He passed a business card Lucas’ way. “Here’s his information. That number will take you to his personal line. Check your car for AirTags and ditch your phone. Anything they can track has to go before you leave. Just pick up a burner phone. He’s expecting your call. Don’t hesitate on this.”
An SUV squealing to a stop pulled Lucas’ gaze toward a nearby parking lot. Royal guard jumped from the vehicle. He turned to wave Kash away before anyone spotted him. Kash was already gone.
Lucas stuffed the card in his pocket before Ajax appeared. His gaze barely skimmed Ajax’s face before he had to look away. Lucas couldn’t stand the sight of him. Seeing him hurt too much.
“What are you doing here?” The rage-filled words echoed, bouncing from wall to wall in the cluttered alley.
Lucas swallowed the hurt and stared at a spot over Ajax’s shoulder. He wondered if he would fall apart. His throat was too tight. Lucas’ eyes felt like sandpaper. He hurt so badly, he didn’t know how he stayed upright.
Lucas swallowed. “I’m free to go anywhere I want. What are you doing here?”
Ajax invaded his space.
Lucas took a step back, putting distance between them. “No.” Goddamn it. Even he heard the agony in his voice.
“Look at me.”
Lucas couldn’t. It was so much worse than a normal heartbreak. Ajax had pretended to be his friend. Everything had been a lie. Ajax was all Lucas had in the world beyond his mom. He had lost her too. Lucas had nothing left to take. Like an injured animal, he might do anything. A small part of him wanted Ajax to hurt every bit as badly as Lucas did. But mostly, Lucas was just empty.
“I need you to listen to me, okay?”
“Why?” Lucas barked the question with all the fury he felt. “I dropped Noir’s package. All of you got what you wanted. A mindless soldier doing the grunt work, acting as the face of the guy who’ll go down when shit goes sideways. You should’ve just left me here to die.” Lucas snapped his teeth together so hard and fast, he bit his tongue. He needed to bite the damn thing off. Ajax didn’t deserve the satisfaction of seeing the fruits of his destruction.
“Why would you say that? It would kill me if anything happened to you. Didn’t you hear me earlier? This isn’t the life I want for you. I want you exactly as you’ve been since you moved to our bedroom. You’re supposed to be with me. My only goal is to convince you to marry me. I don’t want you anywhere near this.”
He sounded so sincere, but Ajax had sounded that way all along. He was being the good general, following orders. Everything about him was fake.
Lucas’ vision blurred. He blinked like his life depended on it. Lucas would not fucking cry. He hadn’t cried when he had taken his final breath. This wouldn’t break him either. He fucking refused.
