A sad smile touched Wendy’s lips. “That’s the problem. I don’t think I’ve been that great of a mom lately. When you wanted to leave Noir’s, I should’ve stood my ground and left. I feel like I’ve been really selfish lately.”
Lucas snorted. “You don’t know how to be selfish, and I’m grown, Mom. You’re allowed to be happy and free. It’s your time to shine. You don’t need to think of me first anymore.”
It was Wendy’s turn to snort. “Parenting doesn’t end when your kids become adults. You’ll always be first.” She visibly swallowed. “Izaak kissed me.”
Lucas wasn’t surprised—like not even a little. He had seen the way Izaak doted on her. Assigned guard or not, his attention went way beyond duty. He prayed Noir hadn’t turned his manipulations toward his mom. Still, Lucas nodded. He trustedhis mom to see through people’s scheming. She was the best judge of character he had ever known. “Did you not want him to kiss you?” If she said no, Lucas was fully prepared to call her on her bullshit. He had seen those heated looks tossed both ways.
A small smile touched Wendy’s lips and slipped away. “It just got me to thinking. I don’t want to start anything if you don’t want to live under Noir’s roof. It’s totally understandable for you not to want to live in another man’s house. You are valid for wanting to stand on your own and have the privacy of your own place.”
Lucas held her stare. “Mom. I literally died working for that man. The least he can give me is a roof.”
“You got hit by a car.” Her eyes sparkled with laughter.
Lucas shrugged. He knew he had to keep up that lie, but still. “It happened while working for him on a night he was being extra demanding. It was Christmas, for fuck’s sake. I missed that amazing marshmallow pistachio thing you always make. There’s not enough he can do to make up for that.”
Wendy gently slapped his arm as she laughed. “Stop.”
Lucas’ smile never dimmed as he watched her. She looked truly happy for the first time in Lucas’ life. He could take away her guilt. “Besides, Ajax asked me to marry him and he’s Noir’s general. He can’t leave.”
“What?” Wendy’s screeched question nearly blew out Lucas’ eardrums. “Why didn’t you say anything? Why didn’t you leadwith that? This is so, so amazing. I’d been hoping you’d finally found the one. The way he looks at you, sigh. You should’ve seen him when he started planning your surprise party. He was like a kid, all excited to make you happy. That man worships you. That’s the kind of love you don’t let get away.”
There was no way Wendy could know how deep her words went with him. She gave him the outside insight he desperately required right when he needed it the most. “Yeah. I haven’t said yes yet.”
The look of irritation his mom gave him had him fighting back laughter. “Why not?” Her expression cleared. “Wait. He is good to you, right? I know no one can really know how someone else’s relationship is behind closed doors. Am I wrong? Does he treat you right?”
The image of tears streaking down Ajax’s face floated through his mind, solidifying his emotions. “Yeah. He loves me. The proposal just caught me so off guard. It wasn’t one of those on his knee with a ring proposals. More or less, he just demanded I marry him in passing conversation.”
A bark of laughter burst from Wendy. “That doesn’t surprise me at all. He looks like a man used to always snapping his fingers and watching everyone fall in line. I suppose that’s due to his position. He can’t afford disobedience.”
Lucas nodded along. “I plan to say yes.”
Wendy clapped and squealed. She tried stealing a hug while not dumping the food from her lap. “I’m so happy for you two. You’re so perfect together.” She pulled away and turned serious in an instant. “Make him squirm a little, though. Twenty-four hours a day general or not, you don’t ask someone to marry you without a ring.”
Lucas was more than certain that happened all the time, but he appreciated her looking out for him. He watched her happily eat her fries, and the clouds parted. This was what he had always dreamed for them. Lucas hadn’t dared to hope this would ever happen. He hadn’t seen a path to watching Wendy thrive and find love while he broke free from the prison that was running drugs. Not only had he officially gotten out, but he had found love too. An amazing love that stood between him and the ugly life that had damn near put him in the ground. He would say yes. Lucas couldn’t imagine being anywhere else.
The glass shook in Ajax’s hand as he tossed back his third shot. He couldn’t recall ever feeling this close to breaking down. His insides still quivered so badly, he felt sick. Lucas had acted like they would move past this. Unfortunately, his mind betrayed him. Had Lucas texted his mom and set up this dinner alone so they could run? He hated the way he felt. Ajax didn’t know how long it would take for him to feel normal again, but Lucas immediately leaving his sight didn’t improve anything. All Ajaxcould do was trust him. That meant believing he was worthy of Lucas. That would never happen.
Someone knocked on his closed bedroom door.
Ajax tossed back another shot. “Enter.”
When the door opened, he was more than a little surprised to see Noir stepping inside. Noir wasn’t the type to knock, especially in his own home.
“I heard you were back.” He tilted his head toward the open liquor and shot glass in front of Ajax. “I see you’ve decided to get trolleyed. Did things not go well?”
Ajax didn’t doubt for a second that Noir knew exactly what happened, down to every word they spoke. He played along, hoping Noir showed his hand. “I’m still not totally sure. He came home with me but immediately left with Wendy to get dinner.”
Noir moved to the couch and sat. “I’m not surprised. Wendy has been pacing the house all day, trying to find Lucas.”
That didn’t set Ajax at ease. He took another shot.
Noir cocked his head and studied Ajax. “It’s not like me to apologize, but you have me wondering if I should.”
A humorless laugh burst from Ajax. “Why? You’re not sorry.”
Noir’s cool expression never even twitched. “Of course I’m not. That doesn’t make you any less important to me.”
Unfortunately, Ajax knew that. He understood Noir like no one else did. That likely even included his husband. Ajax had watched Noir grow up. He knew exactly how much neglect it took to forge someone into having what it took to rule. Noir didn’t apologize because he was a true prince through and through. Princes don’t say they’re sorry.
