All Chapters of Casino Prince: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

...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.

"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

..."What's that kid saying?" someone muttered."Did he say his name's Cole?" questioned another.The crowd buzzed with curiosity, but their whispers soon faded to nothing.The once steady steps then rushed toward me, but by the time they reached me, my eyes would not open.I could not see my mom, and I had no clue if she would even recognize me.However, I had to try. That was my last shot."I'm Cole Scott..." I whispered."Everybody zip it!" Mom's voice cut through the silence like a knife. She was trying to make out my words, but someone came running down the stairs."Ms. Emerson, sorry to disturb you again… This guy's a phony, just like the rest. But he craftily got himself a crescent-shaped birthmark right where you'd think to look."Don't worry, though. I've given him what he deserves. If you're still mad, I can carve that mark off and stitch it onto his face."The crowd gasped at the cruelty of it all, yet there were some who could not help but sigh."It's like flipp

He seemed to have forgotten the things he had done to me as he tried to get closer, until one sharp look from Mom and he was sent flying back by one of her guys.I calmly watched as he let out a low moan, his stomach wound tearing open and turning his shirt crimson."We did talk about being each other's best man, Josh, but that was back when we were best friends, the closest of brothers."You tricked me, your so-called best friend, into coming to Macoria with the plan to sell me off and settle your debts!"Back then, I pleaded with you to spare me, even promised to pay off your million-dollar debt, but what did you do? You feared I'd turn on you just like you did to me, so you scarred me for life and drugged me, hoping I'd die!"Now where on earth did you get the nerve to beg for my help?" I spat out the words with venom.Josh was a picture of terror, standing there, constantly being shoved back by others, never able to get close to me.He could only watch, tears streaming down

"Don't beat yourself up. It wasn't your fault."After you were taken, we looked for you everywhere. However, Dad got sick out of the blue and was gone within two months."He made me promise, when he was sick, to find you and apologize. He regretted not going with you that day, that maybe you wouldn't have been taken then."Even at the end, he worried about you, scared you were suffering with the buyers, scared of what the traffickers might do to you."Now that I've brought you here, he can finally be at peace."Tears blurred my vision, but I wiped them away and knelt by the grave, crying softly.I poured out my heart to Dad, telling him everything, down to every detail.I talked about how the people who bought me treated me badly, just wanting me to give them their own child.When they finally had a boy, I went from being the adopted son to the black sheep, just a nanny in their home.However, I never forgot that I was purchased. Once I was old enough, I swiped an ID card and