Casino Prince

...

I sensed trouble too late. By the time I wanted to bolt, the trap had already sprung.

"Chester, we're talking seven million five hundred thousand bucks here. I can't pay that off in ten lifetimes!

"But you, man? You're the lucky one. That crescent-shaped birthmark on your belly is like a golden ticket, meant to bail me out of this mess!"

A chill ran down my spine. Fear gripped my throat so tight I forgot how to breathe.

"Josh, you're selling me out?

"After all these years, with you being my best friend, you'd trade me for a stack of cash?"

He backed away, shaking his head as he stammered, "D-don't give me that look... Ms. Emerson, the casino queen, is loaded–and she has a big thing for guys with your kind of birthmark. She'd wipe out any debt for a chance with one.

"She's got her quirks, and you've got the mark. I figured–hey, maybe she'll dig you. You could end up living the high life as Mr. Emerson!"

The thought of being some rich lady's trophy sent a shudder through me.

I shoved him aside, determined to get out. "Dream on about being Mr. Emerson yourself. I'm out of here!"

Before my hand even grazed the doorknob, a heavy blow to the back of my head sent the world spinning.

"Chester, you brought this on yourself!"

I stumbled and hit the floor hard.

He loomed over me, snatching the lucky coin from my pocket.

"Don't play dumb. You didn't tag along for the sights. You're here to find your real parents.

"You've already come this far. Help me settle my debt, and I'll track down your parents. But make a run for it, and you can kiss your family reunion goodbye."

Pain throbbed at the base of my skull as I fought to move, my lips trembling, a sense of hopelessness washing over me.

I was snatched at five.

To keep his secret safe, the trafficker ditched my clothes, put a long wig on me, and tossed everything I had.

Only the lucky coin, etched with the nickname of my younger years, stayed hidden beneath my tongue.

16 years passed, and the path home grew blurry; memories before five faded. That coin was the last piece of my parents I had.

No lucky coin, no hope.

"You got the picture."

Josh's words hung in the air as the door to the room swung open.

A group of tough-looking guys stepped in. "You're Josh, right? Heard you've got something to cover your debts?"

Josh pointed at me, nodding eagerly.

"Mr. Baker, Ms. Emerson is after a guy with a crescent-shaped birthmark, right? Meet my friend Chester; he's got one on his stomach!

"See, I've delivered. Now, about my seven million five hundred thousand..."

The head honcho did not even glance up as he took a seat. "Hold your horses, let's see the merchandise first."

His goons lunged at me, shoving me onto the couch and stripping off my jacket in a flash.

One reached for my T-shirt, but I kicked him hard in the shin.

"Back off, don't touch me!"

"Son of a... You kicked me?" He spat out and smacked me across the face, twice. My vision exploded into stars, and before I could get a word out, a chilling gunshot echoed. The man's shin exploded in pain, and he crumpled to the floor, howling.

Alex Baker stood there, gun in hand, his face a mask of stone.

"Are you out of your mind, messing around before we're done checking?"