Chapter Two
In more ways than Ajax 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.
She acted 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?”
Wendy accepted Izaak’s hand to help her sit.
Her light green eyes flashed with life. She looked every bit as nice as she was.
It was easy to think of her as older than her forty-three years.
A chronic illness had destroyed her health.
But when she was in the room, it was hard to reconcile the sight of her.
She looked much younger than her age. Wendy was incredibly beautiful with her long, braided red hair and light green eyes that matched her son’s.
It was as if the walker shouldn’t exist, but it did. Ajax was angry with life on her behalf.
“I’ve been with Lucas all morning,” Wendy said, pulling Ajax from his thoughts. “The nursing staff came by and helped him shower and whatnot.” She focused on Ajax. “He’s completely wiped out now. When I left, he was dead to the world.”
Ajax quietly ate and listened to Wendy talk about her plans for the day.
He saw right through her, and Ajax couldn’t look away once he saw her game.
She carefully plotted her day so Ajax would be with Lucas for the next several hours.
The way her knowing gaze kept flashing his way told the entire story. She was matchmaking. It was cute.
“Did Lucas have breakfast?”
Ajax perked up at Lazarus’ question. Lucas hadn’t been eating enough.
Wendy shook her head. “He fell asleep before he could eat.”
Noir looked his way. “You should take some food to him and make sure he isn’t disturbed.”
Ajax pushed from the table and stood. “Yes, your highness.” As always, like a well-oiled machine, a full plate of food appeared alongside a glass of juice.
Ajax accepted both with a dip of his chin in thanks.
Once he was out of sight, Ajax picked up the pace.
He didn’t know how long it had been since Wendy left Lucas’ room.
But the guy was stubborn enough to be up dancing, for all he knew. Lucas lived to push too hard.
Ajax quietly entered the room.
Lucas still slept peacefully.
After setting his haul aside, Ajax removed his dress jacket and draped it over the back of a chair.
He had learned from months of dealing with Lucas every day, there was only one true way to keep him in bed.
Ajax circled the bed and toed off his shoes.
Then he gently climbed in beside Lucas. On his side, he studied Lucas's sleeping face. He truly was a work of art. It was no wonder people lined up to fill his bed. The strawberry-blond hair and light green eyes combined with the smattering of freckles across his face and his full lips. He was flawless. They were friends. Ajax didn’t want to notice those things.
He couldn’t help it. Some things were too blatant to ignore.
Lucas’ sex appeal was one of those things.
Lucas shifted.
Ajax closed his eyes and pretended to sleep.
Lucas covered him with his mound of blankets and scooted closer until he snuggled against Ajax.
Like always, Ajax took a deep breath and enjoyed the stolen moment.
Sometimes, he liked to pretend Lucas belonged to him.
It was a secret fantasy just for him. Lucas would never want someone like him.
He was too old. Too enmeshed in the crime world.
Lucas wanted to escape. He was happy with whatever Lucas gave. Anything at all would be enough.
Damn. Ajax always smelled like a dream. Lucas loved cuddling against Ajax’s chest. He wanted to be closer.
Lucas slipped the buttons loose on Ajax’s shirt.
There was no way Ajax was comfortable in his dress shirt while trying to sleep.
The moment he could, Lucas slid his arm beneath the material.
Unfortunately, Ajax also wore an undershirt.
That didn’t stop Lucas from snuggling even closer.
Ajax’s hand slid across Lucas’ bare side until he reached Lucas’ back, lightly holding him.
His lips pressed against Lucas’ forehead and then moved to Lucas’ cheek.
Their breathing turned harsher. The air changed.
It was as if they waited to see who would break first. Fuck it.
Everyone knew Lucas was easy. He turned his head, capturing Ajax’s lips.
Heat and passion exploded through their kiss.
Holy hell. Lucas didn’t know what he expected.
This was so much better than anything Lucas could dream.
The door suddenly opened.
Ajax rolled from the bed and landed on the floor.
Lucas looked toward the door. He knew he had to look exactly like he had been sleeping hard before being disturbed.
Izaak poked his head into the room. For a moment, he looked confused. “I thought Ajax had been ordered to stay at your side today?”
Lucas looked around, trying to look more confused than panicked. He didn’t want Noir to take Ajax from him. His gaze landed on the bathroom door. Never had he been more thankful a nurse had pulled the door closed earlier.
“Um.” He swiped his hand across his face. “He’s in the bathroom.”
Izaak nodded. “Okay. Prince Noir has ordered for you not to be disturbed today, but Wendy.” He paused for a second, as if catching himself. “Your mother has asked me to let you know she’s going out for sunshine and fresh air.”
Lucas nodded. “Okay.”
“She asks that you text her if you need anything.”
“I don’t have a phone.”
That seemed to give Izaak pause. “Oh. I suppose have Ajax text her.”
Lucas nodded, doing his best to look ready to go back to sleep, because really, he wanted to go back to sleep.
Izaak turned the lock on the door. “I’ll lock this behind me, then. That way, you’ll be left to rest.”
Lucas gave him a thumbs-up.
Izaak pulled the door closed.
Lucas peered over the edge of the bed, finding Ajax relaxing with his fingers linked behind his head and his ankles crossed. He couldn’t help the smile that exploded across his lips at the sight of Ajax. “Well, well, General Ajax. Dereliction of duty. What would your prince say?”
“He’d probably ask if you live up to the rumors.”
Lucas rolled onto his back and roared with laughter. Ajax was genuinely his favorite person. Lucas never tired of him.
Ajax popped to his feet. He peeled his dress shirt off and then his undershirt. Lucas watched him fold the items before setting them aside. Ajax’s sexy smile swung Lucas’ way as he climbed back into bed.
“You look like you’re having a hard time staying awake. Close your eyes.” Ajax tugged Lucas into his arms to snuggle.
Damn. Lucas wished like hell he felt better. Ajax had kissed him, though. Lucas wouldn’t let him have any peace now. At least, not until Lucas had what he wanted: the sexy general straddling his hips, crying Lucas’ name.