Chapter Ten #2
A kind smile touched Ajax’s lips. He was the general of the royal guard.
That role took more than physical training.
He was polished—expected not to embarrass royalty.
“He’ll make a full recovery, but it’ll be a long one.
Glass and metal sliced through his upper torso in several places, damaging internal organs.
He lost a lot of blood. It’ll likely take months for him to be back on his feet. ”
Wendy looked pale.
Kace couldn’t stop looking between every person in the room. Months was a long time to keep up this lie. It was obvious they understood that and gave the best story they could to explain his wounds.
“This sounds expensive. Not that I’m worried about the money as much as my son. I just know him. He’ll try to do too much too soon to keep us above water. Lucas never thinks about himself.”
Kace immediately focused on Lucas to check his reaction to his mother’s claim. He had already passed out again.
Ajax kept his heavily accented voice soothing. “Don’t worry about a thing. His Royal Highness will take care of everything. Lucas was working for him when he was hit. Prince Noir intends to ensure he rests, heals, and doesn’t stress while he recovers. Everything will be fine.”
“Mom.” Lucas was awake again, but barely.
She stroked his arm. “I’m right here, angel. What do you need?”
“I’m sorry I ruined Christmas.”
Kace looked Jamison’s way.
A muscle ticked in Jamison’s jaw. It was obvious he felt the same way Kace did. Lucas shouldn’t be in this mess.
“I love you, baby. This isn’t your fault. Just get better. We’ll still do Christmas at a later date. You didn’t ruin anything.”
“Love you too.”
He was gone again before the words died on his lips.
Wendy swiped her cheeks. “You boys don’t have to stay. I’ll stay.”
Everyone cast glances at each other.
Ajax spoke up first. “Lucas wouldn’t want you endangering your health for him.”
“I’m a grown woman. Don’t worry about me.
” She lifted the lid on the seat of her walker, showing the compartment underneath.
“I have extra clothes and my meds.” She motioned toward a bag that hung from her walker.
“I brought snacks. It’s worse for my health to go home and worry nonstop. At least here I can rest with my son.”
She had a point. They couldn’t very well toss her from the building, especially without making Lucas worse.
Kace wouldn’t say it, but the doctor in him knew.
There was still a good chance Lucas could die.
They had him in ICU for a reason. Modern medicine was an amazing thing, but they had kept him from getting immediate care and there was no telling what damage that had done.
Someone had to be the one to let Wendy be the mom. “Jamison and I will head out. There’re too many people here. If you need us, just call. We’ll take you back home or grab whatever you need.”
Wendy swiped her cheeks again. “Thank you. I don’t guess anyone would’ve bothered to bring me if you hadn’t. It’s my job to take care of him.”
Kace got it. “I know. Call if you need anything.”
Ajax jumped in. “I’ve been assigned to stay with him. So I’ll be here if you need a break or food.”
Wendy flashed him a kind smile. “Thank you. I appreciate it.”
With her settling in for the long haul, Kace and Jamison said their goodbyes.
They made their way back to the car in total silence.
The heaviness of the situation weighed on them.
It had been two days since Lucas had been dumped in their living room.
Somehow, it felt like a lifetime. They equally felt helpless in the face of so much.
Jamison broke first. “I know Lucas can be a real asshole, but this is bullshit.”
Kace got it. Despite everything Lucas had done to Jamison, what choice had Lucas had, really?
He was no more able to say no about stealing those contacts than Jamison had been about continuing to hand over information.
Some things were just too big. Plus, he had his mom to consider.
How many jobs were there where he made enough money to care for her while also being present?
No matter how shitty the situation was, Kace got it. He didn’t judge him.
“It sounds like they plan to take care of him. At least there’s that.”
Jamison nodded. He stared straight ahead but didn’t start the car.
“Do you want to go back inside and hang around? I understand if that’s what you need.”
Jamison looked his way. “No. He has his mom. That’s what he needs. I just hate that this happened, and I really don’t understand why I’m this upset about it. He’s my ex. I don’t love him. It was never that serious. This is just… ugh .”
Kace got it. “He’s young, and this is unfair. I get it. Plus, it extra feels like it’s on our heads because he was brought to us. But I think he’ll recover, and he’ll make sure we remember exactly why you couldn’t stand him. I can’t imagine anything keeping him down for long.”
Jamison smiled. “Actually, I have a feeling he’ll give Ajax hell. Ajax seemed more than a little involved.”
Kace laughed. “Well, Lucas has made his way through the gay scene.”
Jamison laughed before letting out a loud, long sigh. “Jesus. I’m tired of drama. Can we get married and be normal again and have back a quiet life already? Seriously, I’m just ready for that life with you.”
“Okay.”
Jamison’s gaze sharpened. “I need clarification on your response.”
Kace shrugged. “Okay. If you want to get married. Let’s do it. It’ll take us a couple of hours to drive to Delaware and get a marriage license. We’d only have to wait overnight to get married there. We’d have to wait three days if we got one here.”
Jamison blinked. “You’re serious.”
“Of course. If you genuinely don’t want to wait, then okay. Let’s do it.”
A huge grin split Jamison’s face. He leaned across the console and stole a deep kiss before starting the car. He threw it in reverse and met Kace’s stare. “Okay.”
Kace settled deeper into his seat and took a breath. They were on their way to happiness forever. Why would he argue with that?
Keep an eye out for the next Atlantic City’s Most Wanted, General .