Casino Prince

Josh chucked the empty bottle and the knife under the table, his voice a manic whisper in my ear, "Sorry, but if it's between you and me, I'm the one who's gotta make it out alive!"

…

The anesthetic coursed through me, sapping all my strength. I slumped to the floor, feeling like I might black out any second.

That was when Alex walked in.

He saw me on the ground, his brow creasing with concern, and turned to Josh. "What's going on here?"

Josh, tears streaming down his face, pointed at me and blurted, "Mr. Baker, he couldn't handle the pain of getting the tattoo. He bolted before we could finish the coloring.

"Now the wound's split open... He's in so much pain that he's dizzy..."

Alex's eyes dropped to the tip of my crescent tattoo, spotting the thin line of blood. "It really is fake...

"Tell Ms. Emerson not to bother coming down here. We've got another faker."

A shadow loomed over me, and a chilling sensation pressed against my belly.

"You nearly had me fooled, almost got me killed.

"You're fond of crescents, huh? Well, I'll just carve this patch of skin off and stitch it onto your face!"

What...

The knife's point jabbed into my wound, jolting my fading consciousness. I struggled, letting out a piercing scream.

"Stop! I'm the one Ms. Emerson is looking for!

"She's not after a lover–she's searching for her son! I am her son!"

The room plunged into a sudden, eerie silence.

Alex let out an icy laugh. "Bold move, getting a tattoo and facing death. You've got guts, spouting a line like that.

"Ms. Emerson didn't even have a husband. How could this guy claim to be her son?"

The knife pressed a little deeper, but the numbing drugs had kicked in.

I could not feel the pain, nor could I say anything.

Through the haze, I heard a reminder, "Mr. Baker, that's Ms. Emerson's favorite rug..."

The knife was yanked out in an instant, and Alex got to his feet. "Get him out of here, and someone clean up this mess."

"Mr. Baker, should we ship him off to the Mykar Borderlands?"

My heart skipped a beat as I watched him clean the knife with a handkerchief, his eyes icy and calculating.

"Take him to the VIP room first, let the high-rollers have a bit of fun. Once they're done, then we'll sell him."

"What about this guy..." asked one of his men.

Josh quickly looked down, his hands twisting together as he begged, "Mr. Baker, please, just give me five more days. I swear I'll have the money ready. If I don't, you can do whatever you want with me!"

Alex pondered for a moment, then held up three fingers. "Three days."

"Okay, three days. I'll get the money, I promise!"

I was hoisted up, too weak to fight back. All I could do was watch Josh bolt from the room without a backward glance.

Two minutes later, I was dumped into the raucous VIP lounge.

A crowd of men and women swarmed around.

Someone called out, "Hey, isn't that Ms. Emerson's favorite crescent-shaped birthmark?"

The crowd burst into laughter.

"Looks like we've got another gambler who tried to beat Ms. Emerson."

"Typical. Win, and you could own the place. Lose, and you're out."

"Poor guy; he bet it all and lost. Now he's off to start over in a new country."

Some yanked at my T-shirt, while others grabbed my ankles. A few, turned off by the blood, pinched their noses and steered clear.

I felt like a tossed-out rag doll, unable to make a move or even put up a fight. All I could do was stare up at the glittering dome above, my heart pounding with a fierce refusal to give up.

I was so close, just one step away from finally meeting my mom...

Then, out of nowhere, the room hushed, and the click-clack of confident high heels echoed in my ears.

"Ms. Emerson, Mr. Baker says this one's a no-go. Let's chuck him out," came a voice.

"Sure, do what you gotta do," another voice replied.

That second voice was my mom's. Just like I remembered!

The footsteps started to fade away, heading in the opposite direction.

Panic surged through me, and from somewhere deep inside, I found the strength to yell, "I am Cole!"

The footsteps came to a screeching halt.

I could feel her eyes piercing through me.