Casino Prince

"And Ms. Emerson? She didn't let them off easily."

Josh felt a chill run down his spine as Alex dropped the bombshell.

"Lucky for you, Ms. Emerson has a sixth sense for these things, and this guy's crescent is exactly where she wants it, down to the millimeter.

"Sit tight. If he's the chosen one, you're not just off the hook for the seven million five hundred thousand bucks. Your buddy's gonna roll out the red carpet, and you'll be living the high life together."

Josh's gaze darted around, his face a canvas of fear and hope.

A sinking feeling weighed on me. With the last shred of my will, I forced out the words, "I... I am..."

"Mr. Baker, I'm so sorry!" Josh came barreling toward me, his nails clawing into my leg. "His birthmark is a fake!

"I can't lie to Ms. Emerson. I'll pay back the 7.5 million dollars. I won't walk away from this debt!"

…

Alex's anger flared up in an instant. "Josh, you're playing with fire!"

"It's not me! He made me do it!" The gun was aimed at him, and he doubled over. "He found out where the birthmark was supposed to be, got a tattoo to match, and made me bring him here.

"He said he wanted to get in good with Ms. Emerson, to live the high life!

"It's true. He threatened me, said he'd kill my folks if I didn't bring him!"

Josh's pleas were desperate, tears streaming down his face.

I stood there, gasping for air, shaking my head hard. "I didn't... I mean..."

"Chester, cut the act. You can't fool everyone forever. If Ms. Emerson finds out that the birthmark is fake, you're in for a world of hurt!"

Alex looked down at me, his piercing gaze fixed on the crescent-shaped birthmark, trying to figure out who was lying.

However, he did not seem to get it: the mom was looking for her son, not a lover.

If he would just take a good look at my face, maybe he would see the family resemblance...

Suddenly, a shout came from outside.

"Mr. Baker, those troublemakers from last time are at it again!"

Alex grabbed his gun and headed out.

"Keep an eye on the door, and don't let either of them leave. I'll be back in a flash."

The door to the room shut, leaving just Josh and me.

Josh's voice dropped to a whisper. "I can't believe it. Ms. Emerson's fixation with birthmarks at the casino was so intense that having the right one could skyrocket you to the top."

I fought to stay awake, but my body kept slipping further down. Blood was gushing from the back of my head, and I knew I could not last much longer.

"What... What are you planning to do..."

Madness flickered across his face, and he spoke with his chest heaving wildly, "I got it all wrong. I thought she just wanted a boy toy... No, I can't let you get ahead.

"If you do, you'll never forgive me... just like I can't forgive you!"

I was panting hard, shaking my head. "We're like brothers, man. Just let me go, and I'll forget all this ever happened."

"No way. You've got to despise me!" he shot back.

"Think about it... Without me, how are you going to pay back that 7.5 million bucks? They'll ship you off to the Mykar Borderlands, and that's a fate worse than death!" I was stalling for time, talking to him slowly.

Josh paused, his gaze darting around as he looked down.

Sensing a glimmer of hope, I pressed on, "Let me go, and I swear, I won't breathe a word. I'll make sure we live it up, and I'll take care of that seven million five hundred thousand for you."

Something shifted in his gaze, and he licked his chapped lips.

I let out a silent sigh of relief.

However, before I could even finish that sigh, his hand balled into a fist.

"No, you're too persistent. You've been hunting for your real parents for years and never quit. How could you ever forgive me?

"I can figure out another way to handle the millions, but I can't leave you here!"

With those final words, he whipped out a small knife, and the blade plunged right into my crescent-shaped birthmark!

"Aahh!"

I let out a blood-curdling scream, but his hand clamped over my mouth in an instant.

He traced a crescent shape and then whipped out a tiny bottle of clear liquid, forcing it down my throat.

The bitterness hit my throat, and I knew right away that it was bad news.

"Don't worry, the anesthetic kicks in after twenty minutes. Then you'll be out cold, and you won't feel anything that happens next."