Lucas’ eyes flashed with rage. Lucas snorted so hard, it had to hurt. “You don’t know shit about the real world. All you’ve ever known is a cozy life. Do me a favor? Get out your phone and search for jobs in this area. Then search for apartment prices. Not a damn soul can make it these days alone, and I have my mom to think about. She worked her ass off her whole life to keep a roof over my head and clothes on my back. The least I can do is the same for her now that her health is failing. So don’t talk to me about real life because you don’t know shit about it. Sitting up here in your fancy-ass house, you don’t know a goddamn thing.”
The pure vitriol in Lucas’ tone had Ajax straightening away from the bed. He closed down his heart. Feeling any sort of pity always ruined everything. “I’ll send your mom.”
He heard Lucas’ put-upon sigh as Ajax headed for the door. Ajax didn’t slow. Now that Lucas had shown exactly how much he resented their association, he wouldn’t press his company upon him. It wasn’t as if he could change the past. Lucas’ choices were made a long time ago. Ajax was only a reminder of that.
The backs of Lucas’ eyes burned. He hated that he had lost his temper with Ajax. Ajax was his only friend, really. He didn’t deserve Lucas spilling his animosity all over him. It wasn’t Ajax’s fault Lucas had been born poor, and all his savings was likely gone after three months of being bedridden and auto payments draining his account. They had likely lost their apartment by now and would be sued for the lease violation. The only thing he imagined he hadn’t lost was his car, since it was paid for, but Lucas didn’t even know where it was. He had driven it the night he was attacked. Lucas was out of touch with everything. He hadn’t seen his phone. Lucas assumed it had gotten lost in the shuffle as well. Being trapped with zero insight into the outside world had him half out of his head.
The bedroom door opened. Lucas closed his eyes and pretended to be asleep. As much as his mom was his whole world, Lucas couldn’t talk to anyone right now. He was too furious over howlife had turned out. Having Ajax point it out made the whole situation even worse. Ajax was the only person who made him feel his age. He turned twenty-seven in a couple of months and all his youth felt like it was lost to him. Lucas stood on a ledge right now. It wouldn’t take much to push him over. Life had been too damn hard. Too bloody. He felt three times his age. Lucas honestly didn’t want to do this anymore, but he couldn’t leave his mom behind. He was all she had. Lucas swallowed past a lump in his throat. There was no out. He was trapped. Lucas felt a stare boring into him. He opened his eyes and found Ajax sitting at his side. His steely gray eyes looked every bit as exhausted as Lucas felt. He blurred as tears filled Lucas’ eyes. Lucas quickly looked away.
“I’m sorry.”
At Ajax’s quietly spoken apology, Lucas’ gaze snapped back to Ajax’s ridiculously handsome face.
A sad smile touched Ajax’s lips and fell away just as quickly. “I got halfway down the hall and deflated.” Ajax’s hand ran across Lucas’ stomach as he leaned over and rested his chin on his other arm on the bed. He held Lucas’ stare. “I hope you know I’m not blaming you for anything. This entire situation just has me ready to tear apart the world. You didn’t deserve this.”
He was so incredibly flawless. His eyes were so light, Lucas swore they cut to Lucas’ soul. Jet black hair with streaks of silver that looked like a lion’s mane made him look distinguished. The two days’ worth of growth on his face made him look slightly more human. He always made Lucas want to touch him, andhe didn’t know why. Still, secret attraction aside, he couldn’t let Ajax believe his own words.
“But I did deserve this. Bad things eventually happen to bad people.”
Instead of flying into another rage, Ajax lightly stroked Lucas’ stomach. “Doing what you have to do to survive doesn’t make you bad. It makes you human. In fact, in my opinion, it makes you better than most. You’d be surprised how many people out there would’ve left their mom to figure it out alone. You didn’t. I think you’re incredible.”
The words warmed Lucas’ chest like nothing ever had. It was nice to have someone look at him like he wasn’t a monster, despite knowing everything he had done.
“I’ve always thought of you as my best friend.”
A smile exploded across Ajax’s face at Lucas’ humiliating admission. “I’d say that’s sad, but you’re mine too.”
Lucas couldn’t help his bright smile. He would survive another day… no matter the cost.
Chapter Two
InmorewaysthanAjax cared to admit, Noir was scary as fuck. While he was a great prince and an amazing artist and storyteller, he was also totally insane. Ajax had seen Noir do things even Ajax wouldn’t do. That said a lot. He could be downright terrifying. That was why he extra appreciated moments like this. Noir sat on the veranda with Lazarus. They enjoyed their breakfast in nothing but their robes. A smile tugged at Ajax’s lips as he watched them play footsie beneath the table. Most people might be bored by this daily duty of standing in silence at his prince’s beck and call. Not Ajax. He had watched Noir grow into a man. Insanity aside, Ajax loved him the way he would his own son.
Noir motioned for Ajax to sit with him.
Ajax didn’t hesitate to claim a seat at the table. Food appeared in front of him.
“Eat,” Noir said, pointing toward Ajax’s plate with his fork.
Ajax dutifully took a bite.
As he chewed, Noir gave a nod of approval. “Good. Now, have you had a chance to speak with Lucas about living here permanently?”
Ajax swallowed. “No, your highness. I haven’t been to see him yet this morning.”
Noir nodded. “My attorney has been keeping an eye on Lucas’ finances, making sure he’s paid and all that. I’m not one to fuss about money, but we’re not talking about mine. It’s ridiculous for him to continue paying bills for no reason. Plus, I can keep a better watch on him here and Wendy has more people to help her.”
“She’s adored here,” Lazarus cut in.
“That too,” Noir agreed.
Ajax hid a smile. It was wild to see two such hardened murderers fall in love with the idea of a good mom. Neither man had one of those. Ajax enjoyed seeing them find a chosen mom after all these years. It helped that Wendy openly adored everyone. Sheacted like everyone under this roof was one of hers. It had taken barely a week for her to claim her spot as matriarch.
“I’ll speak with him today.” He already heard Lucas’ rejection ringing in his ears. Lucas wouldn’t want to stay here forever.
Wendy pushed her walker onto the veranda. Her assigned guard slash caretaker, Izaak, stayed closely glued to her side. Wendy was all smiles. “Good morning.”
Lazarus stood and pulled out a chair for her. “Good morning. How are you today?”
