General (Atlantic City’s Most Wanted #8)

Prologue

Three months earlier…

It was supposed to be a routine collection.

That was all Lucas could think as he moved through the back alley, searching for his prey.

This motherfucker had pulled a knife on him before he saw Lucas had a gun.

Now the bastard was hiding. Lucas would find him, and then no one else would.

What had he expected to accomplish anyhow?

Lucas ran drugs for Prince Noir. No one escaped that guy.

Even though no one actually knew—other than Lucas and a few more heavily trusted people—that Noir was who ran Atlantic City, they knew someone did.

They knew Lucas worked for the drug lord here.

Surely this guy knew there was no escape. He had to know he was dead.

Lucas carefully picked his way through the trash-littered alley.

It was so dark, he could barely see a thing.

A solid blow landed on his back. Lucas swung around.

When he did, the worst pain he had ever experienced cut through him.

Before he could recover, the gun was knocked from his hand.

It was dark. He couldn’t see where it had gone.

Lucas fought, landing a few good blows. Each time he was hit in return, the pain was excruciating.

Something warm trickled down his back. It hit Lucas.

He had been stabbed. Every blow had actually been a knife plunging into him.

He couldn’t remember how many times he had been hit, but he was weak.

Another punch hit his ribs. Lucas went down.

He hit the pavement hard enough to knock what little air he possessed from his lungs.

Each time he gasped, it rattled. While shock came for him, he watched his prey vanish again.

His mind raced. All he could think about was his mom.

He was supposed to be on his way to her so they could celebrate Christmas.

It was supposed to be a simple job. This would break her heart and probably kill her.

She was in bad health and depended on Lucas to take care of her.

What would happen to her now? Maybe Noir would take her in.

The thought of Noir had Lucas struggling to reach his phone while he gritted his teeth through the pain.

He had to live long enough to beg Noir to make sure she didn’t end up homeless.

Lucas somehow managed to find Noir’s name and hit the call icon. His vision blurred as he stared at the screen and listened to the ringing.

“Prince Noir’s residence. How may I direct your call?”

Lucas coughed. He tasted blood. “It’s Lucas. I’m down.”

“Lucas?” At the familiar sound of Ajax’s heavily accented voice, Lucas’ eyes fell closed in relief. Noir’s longtime general of his Royal Guard was Lucas’ favorite person. He was the only person who could hold his own while bantering with Lucas.

Another round of coughing hit. “Help.” It was the only word he could manage.

“I’m on my way. Stay on the phone with me. I’m tracking your location. Just hang on.”

Lucas closed his eyes and tried his ass off not to cry. Ajax was coming. If he couldn’t save Lucas, no one could.